To resolve the impasse that the Honiara City Council faces, the Attorney General’s (AG) Chamber has advised the Minister of Home Affairs to form a committee and investigate the allegations leveled against City Mayor Andrew Mua.
A copy of the letter dated 19th July 2017 which this paper obtained stated that if the committee finds the allegations to be true, then the Minister can declare the Mayor’s position vacant.
“Henceforth, while the committee is carrying out its investigation, the Mayor remains in office.
“Of course, if a committee is quickly appointed and an investigation is conducted, it should take not more than a week or two to finalize a report,” AG James Apaniai stated in the letter addressed to Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Manasseh Maelanga.
Mr Apaniai suggested in the letter that the committee appointed should consist of three people; a lawyer, an accountant and another person which the Minister thinks fit.
The impasse since last month after Mayor Andrew Mua terminated three of his Chair has caused a rift in the Honiara City Council administration.
The other Chair also resigned recently, leaving the Mayor with a minority rule.
A meeting was convened on Wednesday afternoon at the Honiara City Council Chamber which was attended by ex-officio Hon Douglas Ete and the Hon Moffat Fugui.
Mr Ete said he was happy their discussions were fruitful and will lead to a speedy resolution of the impasse.
Meanwhile calls for a motion of no-confidence in the mayor could not eventuate because of legal difficulties.
By TEDDY KAFO
