The much-anticipated Motion of No-Confidence against Western Provincial Premier Billy Veo has been defeated this afternoon.
After more than four hours of debate all 26 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) went through an open ballot voting through the floor of the Assembly where the names of all the MPAs were called out.
The Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Ramrakha Aquila Talasasa announced the result just after 1.30pm this afternoon saying: “those who said ‘yes’ 12 while those who said ‘no’ 14.”
The fourteen (14) MPAs who opposed the motion are mostly executive members while the twelve (12) MPAs who said, ‘yes’ are non-executive members who supported the motion.
As a result, the motion was defeated,
The notice of the Motion was submitted by the Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 24 Calrick Runimetu.
In his opening statement, he accused Premier Veo of gross misuse or neglect of power and misappropriation of public funds.
Several cases involving how funds and tenders have been issued were highlighted by the Mover of the motion.
Most the non-executive members also spoke in favour of the motion highlighting some of the allegations against the Premier.
In response, Premier Veo denied all the allegations and took time to give reasons and justify his actions.
With the motion now over Speaker of Assembly said, no motion of no-confidence will be issued for the next 12 months against Premier Veo.
The Assembly on Tuesday passed the 2024-2025 revised budget.
The meeting is currently in session at Imagination Island.
- By MOFFAT MAMU
