Only two heads of government in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) attended the opening of their 21st Summit in Honiara yestertday

According to Pacnews only the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and summit host, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare were present.

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, was represented by Ben Micah, the PNG Works Minister.

Peter O’Neill will arrive today, in time for the crucial Leaders’ retreat that will be held inside the Heritage Park Hotel in the capital.

He was reportedly officiating in the inaugural Port Moresby to Port Vila (Vanuatu) flight yesterday by his national airline Air Niugini.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman was stuck in Port Vila because of legal action over a no-confidence motion.

The Leaders were accorded with the traditional welcome ceremony of ‘chupu’, a presentation of food, fruits, betel-nut and root-crops as well as a pig.

Young dancers from four provinces in the Solomon Islands comprising both men and women lightly clad in grass or sack coverings, face painted and armed with clubs and spears also put up lively cultural performances as part of the opening ceremony, held in the closed grounds of the Solomon Islands Museum in the island’s capital.

Pacnews reported a traditional leader of Guadalcanal, the island and province that hosted Honiara, Paul Tovua spoke in both his language and in English to welcome the MSG leaders. He also presented the chupu to each of the five Melanesian leaders.

First Secretary at the Fijian High Commission in PNG, Vilitati Mataitini received the chupu gifts on behalf of the Melanesian leaders.

Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj