NEWLY-ELECTED members of the Makira Ulawa Provincial Assembly continue to arrive in Kira Kira, the provincial capital, following the announcement December 13.
And those who are now in Kira Kira and their supporters have formed three camps and continue to wait excitedly for the rest of the newly elected assembly members to arrive, so they can be taken to join their camps.
The camps’ leaders will contest the election of a new Premier of Makira Ulawa Province at a date still to be announced.
Whispers in Kira Kira claim former state broadcaster, Julian Maka’a leads one camp, former West Makira Member of Parliament, Jackson Sunaone, leads the second camp, and the caretaker premier, Stanley Siapu led the third.
Of the former Provincial Assembly, only five retained their wards who include Siapu, Minister of Finance Silas Wagatora, Minister of Transport and Communications Andrew Higa, Melchizedek Fagakira and Benson Piringi, one did not seek re-election as he contested the East Makira Constituency by-election, while another resigned to contest the West Makira Constituency in the National General Elections on April 3.
While Martin Karani lost the be-election, Matthew Taro managed to again win the Haununu Ward 20 of the Makira Ulawa Provincial Assembly.
In the final analysis, the people of Makira Ulawa Province have elected a total of 15 new assembly members to lead them during the next four years.
The results are: North Ulawa (Ward 1), Davis Maemae, sitting MPA; South Ulawa (Ward 2), Joe Calvin Takeli, new; West Ulawa (Ward 3), Brock Wao, new; Ugi/Pio (Ward 4), Robert Henry Rata, new; Arosi South (Ward 5), Jackson Sunaone, new; Arosi West (Ward 6), Francis Drake Tahokeni, new; Arosi North (Ward 7), Terence Ri’itau, new; Arosi East (Ward 8), Douglas Henry Kuper, new; Bauro West (Ward 9), Melchizedek Fagakira, sitting MPA; Bauro Central (Ward 10) Julian Maka’a, new; Bauro East (Ward 11) Ramsey Sirai, new; Wainoni West (Ward 12) Andrew Max Higa, sitting MPA; Wainoni East (Ward 13) Silas Wagatora, sitting MPA; Star Harbour North (Ward 14) Solomon Kekesia Murray, new; Santa Anna (Ward 15) Stanley Siapu, Caretaker Premier; Santa Catalina (Ward 16) Richard Fagah, new; Star Harbour South (Ward 17) Henry Perongo, new; Rawo (Ward 18) Benson Piringi, sitting MPA; Weather-coast (Ward 19) Jimmy Hanson Riunga, new, and Haununu (Ward 20) Matthew Ha’asuramo Taro, new.
By GEORGE ATKIN
in Kira Kira
