A motion of no confidence against Isabel Province Premier Rhoda Sikilabu is set for Monday 22nd May in the provincial capital Buala.
The motion was filed by Ian Mason, the Member of Provincial Assembly for Havulei Ward 2 on May 10th, 2023.
This is pursuant to section 19 (5) (a) of the Provincial Government Act 1997 (No.7 of 1997) and part 6 of the Standing Orders of the Isabel Provincial Assembly.
The first attempt to oust the Premier through a motion was filed on February this year but it did not proceed.
The grounds for the first attempt were:
- Gross misuse of the Premier’s powers for self-monetary gain;
- Gross neglect and disregard for Provincial Ordinances and Regulations resulting in a substantial decline and loss in local revenue;
- Failure to display an acceptable level of integrity and regard towards the democratic process in decision-making; and
- The Premier no longer has the support of the majority of Members of the Provincial Assembly, according to the notice dated 7th February 2023.
With the latest notice the grounds were:
- Negligence to uphold due processes for approving and issuing of certificates of mining business licenses.
- Negligence and disregard for the Provincial Ordinances and Regulations resulted in a significant decline in IPG revenue collection and loss of revenue.
- Failure to display an acceptable level of integrity and disregard for due processes in making decisions.
“I request that your Honourable office schedule a meeting of the Assembly to consider this motion of no confidence at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the provisions of the Provincial Government Act 1997,” MPA Mason said.
Recently it was claimed that Isabel Provincial Government (IPG) has been influenced to reduce the $5m License Fee for Mining down to $1m.
It was claimed that one Mining Company only paid an instalment of $1m as a licence fee and subsequently proceeded to operate.
This could form the basis for the motion of no confidence against Premier Sikilabu.
Attempts to get comments from the Premier were not successful yesterday as she is engaged with provincial meetings.
