WESTERN Provincial Government (WPG) under the leadership of Premier David Gina is bracing for a leadership challenge after five of his executive ministers resigned on Tuesday.
Their resignation came after he fired his Deputy and Minister of Finance and Treasury Christian Mesepitu and the Minister of Health John Wale over the weekend.
Premier Gina then went on to replace them by swearing-in Job Qaga Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Rendova as the new tourism minister and Leong Mamu, MPA for Ward 5 in Ranoggah as the health minister.
The two ministers were sworn-in Monday evening.
The Opposition now has 18 members.
However, on Tuesday morning at the commencement of the Full Assembly Meeting Provincial Assembly Speaker, Sina Adrian announced the resignation of the five ministers.
He said the Office of the Speaker has received the five resignation letters dated 21st September (yesterday) at 10:15 am.
The Speaker then told the assembly that the Executive still has eight standing members, therefore, the ruling Executive Government still holds the majority and is still in power. This means that the Assembly must proceed,” Provincial Speaker Sina Adrian ruled.
“In view of the fact that there are currently eight Executive Members in the David Gina led Government, that constitutes a majority Government.
‘’..And I respect that I must declare that the Government is still standing. Consequent upon that I must advise this Assembly that the ruling Government is duty bound to transact the business of the Government in the current Assembly Meeting according to the WPA Standing Orders and the order Papers,” the Speaker stated.
Mr Adrian added: “I must advise all parties that there must be a clear understanding on what constitutes an Executive Government and an Assembly of elected representative.
“The fact that the members resigned from or had been terminated by the ruling Government does not mean every Member has ceased to be a Member of the Assembly (MPA).
‘’Both parties still constitutes an Assembly of elected representatives, therefore the business of the Government and the Assembly must continue to roll,” he said.
However, due to lack of quorum since 18 MPAs were absent and only 8 members were present, the full assembly meeting has been adjourned to 9:30am this morning at the Imagination Island Resort.
Meanwhile, speaking in an exclusive interview with the paper yesterday Premier Gina said the resignation letters should be forwarded to the premier’s office and not to the Speaker.
“These resignation letters should be received by the Office of the premier. So I have not seen any reason why they are resigning,” he said.
He explained the process is, if they are not happy with the premier or the current Government, the Caucus is there to deal and discuss government affairs or any issues they disagree with.
“Whether they are matters that affect the premier or any members of the government, that is the system,” he said.
He explained the reason to sack the two ministers is because they breached their oath of allegiance.
He said they fail to inform the premier and the executive of their involvement in the motion of no confidence letter which was issued early last week.
“This means they are playing in the house and have betrayed the government.”
Meanwhile, in light of latest political shakeup, sources close to the executive government claimed huge money was involved in luring some of the executive members to the Opposition bench.
It was alleged a Member of Parliament (MP) is behind the proposed motion of no confidence.
Premier Gina in response said this latest case shows these leaders resign because of bad political influence and money.
He added he is sadden to see that as leaders they do things for their own interest and not to protect the interest of their people and province.
Premier Gina claimed he knows who is behind the latest move.
Its understood the Opposition group is camping in a quest to form a new government.
By ULUTAH GINA
Gizo News Bureau
