PM: Monday planned as public holiday

By REBECCA KUKU
A PUBLIC holiday is likely to be declared in Port Moresby on Monday when United States President Joe Biden arrives for his three-hour stop-over, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape has written to Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae requesting the public holiday “so that schools, government offices and business houses in the city will be closed”.
Biden is expected to arrive around 4.30pm on Monday. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at 11pm on Sunday.
Marape said the airspace above the Jackson International Airport and parts of Port Moresby city would be closed down after the arrival of President Biden.
He also said all security personnel from India and the US had been cleared to come into the country with their leaders.
About 200 officials from both countries are already on the ground.
“This is an historical visit – the first time a sitting US president and the India prime minister visit our nation,” Marape said.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the FIPIC and the United States President Joe Biden will attend the US-PNG Pacific Islands Leaders meeting.
“There will also be bilateral meetings between PNG and the US, and PNG and India.”
Marape said that parts of the city would be closed off.