Alliance backs O’Neill

 THE National Alliance Party has pledged its support for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for the remainder of the current term of Parliament.

This follows the decision last week by party stalwart Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, the former party leader, to move away from the government benches in Parliament over the K3 billion UBS loan.

Sir Michael told Parliament he would move to the middle benches.

His successor and party parliamentary leader Patrick Pruaitch said the party would stay with the coalition government led by O’Neill.

“To the people of Papua New Guinea, National Alliance is here for the long term,” he said.

“To the People’s National Congress-led coalition government and Prime Minister, National Alliance is with you to complete the term of office.”

The NAP, formed in 1997, has 12 MPs in Parliament. They are Pruaitch (Aitape-Lumi), Sir Michael, Bogia MP John Hickey, Wewak MP Jim Simatab, Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua, Nuku MP Joe Sungi, Maprik MP John Simon, Angoram MP Salio Waipo, Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo, Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar, Madang Governor Jim Kas and Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour.

The party joined the coalition after the 2012 general election, forcing O’Neill and Sir Michael, the man he ousted as PM a few months earlier, to work together again.