Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape Photo: UN
A motion of no confidence in Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has been lodged at the first parliamentary session since the deadly riots.
About 300 police personnel and 200 soldiers provided security at Papua New Guinea Parliament House for the sitting.
"I wish to inform the Parliament that today 13 February 2024 at 1:45pm at the speaker's lounge of the national parliament I have received a notice of motion of no confidence in the prime minister James Marape," Acting Speaker Koni Iguan told the room.
The Speaker went on to say this was a matter of national importance.
Iguan said the next step was that the private business committee will meet on Wednesday.
Once the notice is cleared by the committee, it will be given to the clerk for reporting to parliament.
It will then take at least seven days before being considered according to the speaker.
Prime Minister Marape said he was confident he has the numbers to defeat the motion.
Opposition selects its candidate for PM
RNZ Pacific correspondent in PNG Scott Waide said the opposition selected East Sepik Governor Allan Bird as its candidate for prime minister.
Bird has previously called for Marape to take responsibility for the Port Moresby riots.
During the first session, Bird raised a number of issues and questioned government gains on creating employment opportunities.
Marape responded by saying: "This is an important question with PNG producing more school drop outs than employment opportunities".
"That is a work in progress for us," he said.
'Ugly Wednesday'
The destruction from the January Black Wednesday riots hung heavy over the parliamentary session.
North East MP John Kaupa asked the Prime Minister what the government will do to support impacted businesses and help them rebuild among other things.
Marape said while some call it Black Wednesday, he calls it 'Ugly Wednesday'.
"The few who were involved in ransacking certain parts of our city were encouraged by the non presence of police in those areas."
Parliament has been adjourned till 10am Wednesday.