Opposition camp turns two MPs away

By REBECCA KUKU
TWO MPs from the O’Neill-led Government who turned up at the Laguna camp in Port Moresby after yesterday’s deadline were turned away yesterday.
Minister for Forestry and Kiriwina-Goodenough MP Douglas Tomuriesa and Talasea MP Francis Maneka arrived at the Opposition camp at noon when the camp had announced its numerical strength at 63 and locked down.
Tari-Pori MP James Marape told a press conference later that the decision to go into a lockdown mode and turn MPs away after that was done “collectively by all like-minded leaders” in camp.
Marape said that the MPs were advised to go back home and wait as the camp was already in lockdown.
“This is not a joke, many leaders sacrificed to become part of this camp,” he said.
“It’s not about me, or Pruaitch or Duma. In this camp we get views from everyone and make collective decisions; it’s not a one-man decision.”
“So we have made the collective decision to close the gate at 12 and have turned some MPs away.”
Tomuriesa and Manake announced their resignation from the ruling People’s National Congress Party (PNC) along with Sir Puka Temu and Solan Mirisim and joined the Laguna camp on May 6.