By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the unrest in Mendi last month (June) were the actions of a minority group from the electorate. He said a large number of investigators are in Southern Highlands to investigate the matter and make arrests.
The Prime Minister made this remarks when responding to questions from Shadow Attorney General Kerenge Kua during Question Time in Parliament this afternoon (July 17).
In the series of questions Kua raised, he told parliament that burning down of the Air Niugini plane in Mendi, the destruction of the court and airport facilities and Governor William Powi’s residence was a result of a lack of confidence the people in Southern Highlands have in the conduction of the National Elections in 2017 and the court process.
Mr Kua also asked if the Southern Highlands Governor would pay for a new plane for Air Niugini.
The Prime Minister, in response, said the riot happened not because of the conduct of the National Election but because of the counting process. He said he had visited the disputing parties and investigations into the matter are continuing.
Mr O’Neill also made mention on the investigations into the killing of the three policemen in Southern Highlands province. And on the purchasing of a new plane, this is what the prime minister said: “Air Niugini is working with the insurance company to buy a new plane.”
