THE GOVERNMENT on Wednesday swore in eight new ministers amidst the persisting political uncertainty.
They are:
(a) Ishmael Avui, Minister for Development, Planning and Aid Coordination;
(b) Augustine Auga, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development;
(c) Nestor Ghiro, Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening;
(d) Bradley Tovosia, Minister for Forestry and Research;
(e) Moses Garu, Minister for for Home Affairs;
(f) Jimson Fiau Tanagada, Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services;
(g) Dickson Mua, Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification; and
(h) Duddley Kopu, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Of the eight, Mr Garu and Mua are returning members who have resigned over the weekend.
Speaking about why they decided to return to the DCCG side, they mentioned that whilst the DCCG has only one year left, joining the Opposition to remove the Prime Minister will make no positive difference to national development.
According to Mr Mua, there is no justified reason for removing Prime Minister Sogavare.
He said removing Mr Sogavare will only lead to uncertainty over who is going to be the next Prime Minister, which is not in the national interest.
The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by the Prime Minister, several members of Cabinet, Government Caucus and senior government officials.
This came as a result of the resignations of several former ministers who defected and joined the Opposition camp.
Amidst these resignations, a Motion of No-Confidence (MNC) has been submitted to be debated in Parliament next week.
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare said the no confidence motion comes in light of unsubstantiated motives which relate to the Anti- Corruption Bill (ACB) and is a cover up for the lack of performance by some former ministers.
Mr Sogavare said:
“The DCCG has progressive view of the ACB.
“Detractors have a cyclical and inconsistent view to this which is highlighted by the diverging statements recently in the media and confirms the defectors have no intention of passing the ACB until the end of 2018 while the Opposition Group verified their support for the ACB to be passed yet stopped short of saying when.
“It has been clear to me through Caucus and Cabinet meetings the defectors were apprehensive about the ACB.”
The Prime Minister also reiterated:
“The defectors say they have no confidence in me and are unhappy with the chief of staff who is just doing his job as an employee under my directions and that of Cabinet and Caucus as a government official, which does not justify a MNC due to the fact that he can be relieved of duty at any time without having to provoke political instability.”
He added the core DCCG MP’s remain strong and are “confident” that the national interest will prevail over personal agendas which is why former Ministers are returning to assume Ministerial portfolios.
“The DCCG believes and wants to reiterate that political stability is paramount to progress and development.”
– PMO Press
