United Resources Party ranks crack

A state minister and parliamentary member of a major coalition party joined the alternate government this morning.  

Minister for Community Development, Religion and Youth and United Resource Party member   Jason Peter is now at the Sanctuary Hotel in Port Moresby.

The Huon-Gulf MP has followed the exodus of government ministers from Morobe Province teaming up with the Opposition MPs as another motion of no-confidence notice against the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape is expected to be filed when Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.

United Resource [URP] Parliamentary leader and State Enterprise Minister William Duma did not respond to questions from this newsroom when this story was published.

The move by Mr Jason Peter now leaves the URP with 9 members.

In an earlier interview, Environment and Conservation and Climate Change Minister Simo Kilepa, a member of URP said the party is “weighing up their options at this time”.

NBC Reporters on location at the alternate government camp said movement of people into the hotel has been restricted, with tight security.

The Government has already set up camp at Loloata Island Resort in Central Province. 

NBC will continue to bring you developing updates.