-Speaker to give statement on reasons, parliament resumes 9.30am
-GNUT government with 32 MPs, Opposition group with 17
(Published May 6)
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
The motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will not be debated in parliament today (Tuesday, May 6), it has been reported.
The Speaker is said to make a statement today to explain why.
Parliament Clerk Jefferson Hallu confirmed this to Island Sun when enquired last night:
“The motion of no confidence will not be debated tomorrow [today]. The Speaker will make a statement tomorrow [today] for the reasons.”
Mr Hallu said parliament will resume, starting at the usual time “from 9.30am onwards”.
The provisional order paper for parliament’s session today does not contain an agenda for the motion of no-confidence – only ‘prayers’ and ‘adjournment’.
A government member speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity last night said it was not expected, however government will always abide by the law.
“This is news to me. But, whatever happens, the Speaker is the boss of the parliament, and this motion depends on the mover and the Speaker. GNUT will let democracy and our law play out.”
The notice for the motion of no-confidence was submitted to parliament on Monday, May 28, by Opposition member and MP for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo.
The notice matured yesterday, and was initially set to be tabled in parliament today.
The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) as of last night boasts 32 members. Opposition is reportedly with 17.
Nine MPs joined government over the weekend, marking a U-turn in the numbers game.
When the 10 government MPs resigned on Monday last week, GNUT was left with 23 members against Opposition’s boosted side commanding 26.
But, come Friday night, the first Opposition MP to switch was announced as MP for North Malaita Daniel Waneoroa was sworn in as the new Minister for Rural Development (MRD).
The next day, before lunch time, two MPs from Opposition joined government and were immediately sworn in to ministerial portfolios.
MP for West Makira Derrick Manu’ari became Minister for Mines and Energy, and MP for Central Kwara’ae Ricky Fuo’o the new Infrastructure Development minister.
More MPs left Opposition on Sunday, and by yesterday it was announced that nine MPs in total had jumped ship.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat yesterday said the other six MPs are: Rollen Seleso – MP for South Guadalcanal, Nestor Ghiro – MP for Central Makira, John Tuhaika Jnr – MP for Rennell Bellona, Claudius Teiífi – MP for West Kwaio, Stanley Sofu – MP for East Kwaio, William Marau – MP for Ulawa/Ugi.
These six MPs have not been assigned portfolios yet as GNUT settles down with its reshuffling.
On Sunday, Frederick Kologeto MP for South Vella La Vella and party leader for GNUT’s second largest coalition partner, the People’s First Party (PFP), was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Kologeto continues with his portfolio as Minister for Communication and Civil Aviation.
And, Cathy Nori, MP for Maringe/Kokota, became Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.
Yesterday, more reshuffling took place as Jamie Vokia, MP for North East Guadalcanal became Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, replacing Harry Kuma, MP for North West Choiseul, who is the new Minister for Finance and Treasury.
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is still vacant after former minister, Nestor Ghiro, resigned from it Monday last week. It is still unclear who will be new fisheries minister.
Of the nine MPs who joined GNUT from the Opposition group, five had been part of the 10 who defected on Monday, April 28.
They are: Mr Seleso, Mr Ghiro, Mr Teiífi, Mr Sofu and Mr Marau.
Before they had resigned, Seleso was minister for MRD and Ghiro the minister for fisheries. The other three were back-benchers.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Opposition group, which had led in numbers from the beginning, cracked during a meeting on Friday last week when they could not agree on who to become prime minister once they came into power.
Sources within the Opposition group said when it became clear that MP Manasseh Sogavare was to be their PM candidate, one of the earliest Opposition parties led the walkout.
An Opposition MP, speaking on condition of anonymity told Island Sun over the weekend that ‘regionalism’ had a part to play in the Opposition group’s disintegration.
“When blocs within our group began pushing for their agenda, we lost the national cause of finding the right leader to lead this nation. It became who should be leader because of him being from a particular region. Many of us found this distasteful and look, we are losing members by the numbers now,” the MP said.
Yesterday, GNUT met at Caucus and reinforced government’s collective commitment to stability, good governance, and service to the nation.
Prime Minister Manele reminded members of the important responsibilities before them, including key national priorities that require their continued attention once the motion is addressed, a statement by PM Press Secretariat yesterday said.
“At this time, it is essential that we remain focused on our shared responsibility to provide stable and effective leadership for the people of Solomon Islands,” Manele said.
The Government remains confident in its mandate under the 12th Parliament and continues to uphold its commitment to national unity and development, the statement said.
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