TWO ministers of the Sogavare led government have taken their oaths before Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at Government House on Tuesday.
They are Minister for Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini and Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Peter Shanel Agovaka.
Their appointments followed the swearing-in of the 21 cabinet ministers last week.
Mr Rini, also MP for Marovo, said he is happy to get the finance portfolio and plans to grow the economy during his time.
“I will see what is there in the finance and what needs to be done are,” he said.
Mr Rini said his first task is to look at various taxation reforms and preparing the budget strategy in the second week of February.
But Mr Shanel’s appointment came at the back of a police investigation on an assault charge allegedly committed against a man.
But the Magistrate Court confirmed there is still not charge laid against Shanel for this assault charge.
Mr Shanel said it’s a normal appointment on one of the very important ministries in the country that looks after law and order.
He said there are technical people like the permanent secretary who will be around to help him in the job.
Mr Shanel had been known for having trouble with the law.
In 2008, he lost his seat after being jailed for nine months on an assault conviction and for the illegal possession of a weapon.
He was re-elected as the MP for Central Guadalcanal in 2010.
Meanwhile, Mr Rini was known to be a Prime Minister who held the post for the shortest period of time in the history following the riot in 2006.
He had also held the Finance portfolio in previous governments.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
