Arambola takes stand on no-confidence vote
By AATAI JOHN LAUNGI
SPEAKER of Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly Abel Arambola has rejected the proposed vote of no-confidence against Premier Anthony Veke.
Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Talise Ward and chairman of the province’s Public Accounts Committee Gladall Sesehala filed the motion.
But Mr Arambola said after carefully considering facts surrounding this motion, he decided to reject it.
He added while the proposed motion has satisfied the requirements of the PGA Section 19 (5) (a) and GP Standing Orders (107), it falls short of satisfying the people of Guadalcanal Province as to its timing versus the 31st March which is the end of 2017/2018 financial year.
The Speaker said if the motion is passed on March 23, it would be followed by 48 hours (Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th) adjournment which would bring them to Tuesday 27th.
“The election of the new premier would be on Wednesday 28th and he has to appoint his new executive government, prepare and pass a new budget after new PAC’s examination by Thursday 29th of March.
“Friday 30th is a public Holiday.
“The above notion implies that if the motion were to be allowed, the likely repercussions could be detrimental to the operation of the whole provincial machinery let alone the prime purpose of the province in service delivery at this crucial time.
“It would also deem not to be in the interest of the government and people of Guadalcanal to entertain politicking when the life of the Assembly is about to lapse.”
Mr Arambol said another ground for his rejection of the motion is that all the allegations have not been substantiated.
“These allegations need to be substantiated to become an issue for Assembly debate,” he explained.
“Failure to substantiate them would amount to defamation of character.
“Some of the allegations have already been cleared in the Executive Government level and have become non-issues.
“Besides, I have received confirmation on the solidarity of the Veke-led government through a letter that bears the signature and names of 13 of 21 member assembly.”
Responding to the Speaker’s decision, Mr Sesehala said it’s obvious Mr Arambola is taking sides.
“His decision shows he had gone beyond the boundary to involve directly in politics,” Mr Sesehala claimed.
He added Mr Arambola loses his integrity by not doing his job fairly.
“Mr Arambola misquoted in his statement by stating that PGA Section 19 (5) (a) and GP Standing Order (107).
“It should be GP Standing Order (109), which a motion of no confidence shall be listed under general business but on the day it is set down for debate, shall take precedence over all other business.
“The speaker is incapable of his job and seems to not understand his job description by interfering into issues to do with politics and governance.
“The allegations raised against Veke are not something for the speaker to question, but his claims that the allegations were unsubstantiated is unethical on his part and only confirmed that Mr Arambola is just a puppet to the premier.
“I called on him to resign because he has compromised the office of the speaker by taking sides,” Mr Sesehala said.
Mr Arambola has not answered his office phone when called yesterday for comments.
