O’Neill: I have 68 MPs

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Monday 30th July 2012

PETER O’Neill is ready to form the government with the support of the 68 elected members of parliament in camp with him in Alotau.
He is expecting more to join once they are declared in their various electorates.
“We have more than 68 members in camp and we are ready to form the new government. We will not let the people of Papua New Guinea down,” O’Neill said.
He said the Alotau camp was ready and they were looking forward to the invitation from Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio to form the next government.
The MPs are satisfied with O’Neill and showed solidarity in forming the government.
Every day, a plane would drop off the MPs at the Gurney International Airport to join the camp.
Last Friday, 26 members arrived at the camp – the largest group so far of various coalition party leaders.
The party leaders who arrived with O’Neill included Sir Julius Chan (People’s Progress Party), Sir Puka Temu (Our Development Party) and Patrick Pruaitch (National Alliance).  Others who arrived on that same day include two United Resources Party members Benjamin Philip (Menyamya) and Stephen Kamma (South Bougainville) and other smaller party leaders.
O’Neill assured all present that the People’s National Congress Party would work closely with them to ensure the government formed was stable, united and that there would be a reconciliation of past differences.
O’Neill also thanked senior party leaders and the three former Prime ministers (Sir Julius, Wingti and Sir Michael) for showing confidence in him and giving him their support.
More members are expected after the declarations in other provinces.