Papua New Guinea rebels pick PM challenger

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PORT MORESBY, May 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Papua New Guinean lawmakers have
chosen a former finance minister critical of a multi-billion-dollar natural
gas project to challenge Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Rebel lawmakers, many from O’Neill’s party, announced they had selected
James Marape — who resigned from the cabinet last week — as their alternate
PM.

O’Neill is expected to face a vote of no confidence tentatively scheduled
for May 16.

Opponents say they are just a few votes short of the number needed to
depose the eight-year veteran prime minister after a string of ruling party
defections.

Marape has been a vocal critic of a vast liquified natural gas project
backed by Total and ExxonMobil and worth as much as $13 billion, raising
questions about its future.

The Papua LNG project would almost double Papua New Guinea’s gas exports,
but local communities have complained bitterly about not benefiting from
similar deals in the past.

Marape, who is from the influential Hela province, resigned citing
differences on “work and policy related matters” as well as the lack of local
“participation in our gas, oil sector” and mining industry.

One of Asia’s most impoverished nations, Papua New Guinea is rich in
natural resources including large gas fields.

Marape “was elected unopposed and will now challenge Peter O’Neill for the
top post for next Thursday’s vote”, said opposition lawmaker Bryan Kramer.

“The numbers are extremely close, now that the alternative government camp
have made their decision on their nominee you can expect movement today.”