Support for O’Neill gains momentum

THE ranks of the ruling People’s National Congress swelled to 22 yesterday with the inclusion of Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi.
PNC’s gain is the Somare camp’s loss.
Aihi said he had been under immense pressure from his electorate to join the government and, in particular, the prime minister because in the estimation of the people, Peter O’Neill had “performed extremely well”.
“The electorate has been recipients
of much goods and services and I consulted widely before making this decision,” Aihi said.
“I am absolutely sure this is the right thing to do.”
Aihi opined that he held strong views on the inviolability of the Constitution and the rule of law, referring to the current court
battles between O’Neill and the Somare camp.
He said he was confident that the rule of law would be respected and maintained.
O’Neill said Aihi was a man of integrity whose move would provide further stability for the party and government.
PNC party member and Works Minister Francis Awesa said the member’s move augured well for his people because his Central province and O’Neill’s Southern Highlands were custodians of the LNG project.
Aihi becomes the second Central MP to join the PNC. O’Neill said last week Rigo MP and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ano Pala had also joined the party.