Government challenges Opposition leader Polye to produce numbers

PNG Opposition members challenged to produce numbers to
move a No-Confidence motion in the Prime Minister

The Government is challenging the Opposition Leader Don Polye to produce numbers in Parliament, if he's serious about moving a No-Confidence motion in the Prime Minister.

Leader of Government Business James Marape, issued the challenge, when giving assurance of Government's solidarity in backing Mr. Peter O'Neill, against the purported Vote of No Confidence.

Government lobbying has intensified, following the expiry of the 30-months grace period, on this motion, last Wednesday.

Opposition Leader, Don Polye told NBC News this week, they have over five M-P's and with the addition of Mr. Juffa, is confident of mustering 21 members, to sign a No-Confidence motion in the Prime Minister.

But, Mr Marape said, the coalition partners and other M-P's, are mindful of political stability under Mr. O'Neill and fully support him to complete this term of Parliament.

"Governor of O'Neil-Dion, we are pretty secure in our numbers, we will be sitting in parliament as schedule.We'll be conducting government business as usual.We are taking stock of our numbers, we're making changes from my preference as the leader of the government business.We manage numbers.Let me share this juncture, 99 percent of all the 104 members who are in government today committed right behind prime minister Peter O'Neil.Absolutely, they're all, most of them, if not all of them are highly educated, they recognized the importance political stability brings into the economy"

Meantime, Mr. Marape has denied rumours of former Opposition Leader and Vanimo-Green M-P, Belden Namah, joining the Government, although there are indications from other members in that group, crossing over.