MEMBER of Parliament for Marovo, Snyder Rini is the new Minister for Finance and Treasury.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had advised the Government House of Rini’s appointment yesterday.
Mr Sogavare also appointed MP for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shanel as the new minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
Their appointments have completed the cabinet line-up of 24 ministries to date.
Private Secretary of Government House, Nigel Maezama had confirmed receiving the names of the two ministers.
Mr Maezama said the swearing-in of both ministers is scheduled for 2pm today.
Government insiders claimed MP for Aoke Langa Langa, Mathew Wale, has decided to let go of the finance portfolio to Mr Rini because of the allegation of fraud hanging over his head.
Mr Wale is currently under investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly receiving bribes from Australian mining firm St Barbara, owners of Gold Ridge mine in central Guadalcanal.
St Barbara has confirmed referring the matter to the AFP for investigation. Mr Wale has not been charged.
Mr Rini was elected to Parliament in 1997 and held the finance portfolio under Mr Sogavare’s government from July 2000 to December 2001.
He also held the finance portfolio in December 2002 and December 2007 under Dr Derek Sikua’s government.
Mr Rini had been elected prime minister in 2006.
But his election sparked the April 2006 riot in Honiara, which led to his resignation a few days later.
He became the prime minister to hold on to the post for the shortest ever period.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
