FIVE new provincial ministers have been sworn-in yesterday to join the Daniel Suidani led MARA government.
They will now be able to take up their new responsibilities and perform their duties.
The swearing in ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at the Malaita Provincial Assembly conducted by Provincial Assembly Clerk Mathew Maefai and Commissioner of Oath Simon Suku.
Sworn-in were; Glen Waneta MPA for Ward 8 who is the new Deputy Premier and Minister of Fisheries and Education, Erick Daoni MPA for Ward 9 – Minister for Youth, Women and Sports, Misach Maukera MPA for Ward 19 as new Minister of Tourism and Commerce, David Osuria MPA for Ward 6 as Minister for Forestry and Benjamin Baetalua MPA for Ward 2 the new Minister for Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) Affairs.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony yesterday Premier Suidani thanked those new ministers for accepting their appointments and their show of willingness to join the MARA government to lead the people of Malaita.
The premier said two more new ministers are expected to swear in soon to get MARA back to full strength.
When this paper consulted Clerk Mr Maefai on the legality of the swearing-in ceremony yesterday which took place in the absence of the Speaker, he said it is a normal process especially in the absence of the Speaker.
He said the premier had already informed the Speaker of the planned swearing in ceremony but the Speaker decided to leave for Honiara instead.
He said the Deputy Speaker was unavailable for the ceremony yesterday he said in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Commissioner of Oath can facilitate the ceremony.
By WILSON SAENI
Auki News Bureau
