Mayor axes, reshuffles councillors
THINGS are looking shaky at the Honiara City Council.
Monday this week, city mayor Andrew Mua terminated three of his committee chairmen after learning of a plan coup against his leadership.
Sacked are:
1. Greg Malefo of Vuhokesa Ward and chairman of Youth Sports and Women Committee.
2. Eric Tema of Mataniko ward and chairman of the Education Authority
3. Eddie Siapu of Rove/Lengakiki ward and chairman for the Law Enforcement Division
The sacking was followed by reshuffling of the chairmanship posts yesterday.
Former mayor Alference Fatai, who is the chairman of Health Division, is now heading the council’s Education Authority, replacing Mr Tema.
Deputy mayor and chairman for Finance Division Charles Aiwosuga is now the new chairman of Health.
And Eddie Ngava, chairman of the Honiara Town and Country Planning Board is now the new chairman for Finance.
Council insider told the Solomon Star yesterday only the mayor has the authority to appoint a new chairman to look after Law Enforcement.
The insider said the three councilors who were sacked were secretly scheming to oust Mr Mua from the top job.
“News of their secret plan reached the mayor, who took immediate action to remove them.
“In the past weeks, the three councilors were putting together a list of allegations against the mayor.”
A statement from the council’s Communication Office confirmed the sacking and reshuffling yesterday.
“This is not a crisis but just reshuffling of the chairmanship positions.
“The current government is still intact,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, insiders claimed yesterday the majority of councilors have collectively signed their letter of resignation this week in wake of the reshuffling exercise Mr Mua took.
“The situation could require intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs if Mr Mua’s leadership falls,” one source said.
By TEDDY KAFO
