Hou voted in as Solomon Islands’ new Prime Minister

HONOURABLE Rick Hou was voted in as the new Prime Minister-elect during this morning’s election at the National Parliament House in Honiara.

The Member of Parliament for Small Malaita polled in a total of 33 votes ahead of rival and Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Hon John Moffat Fugui who collected 16 votes.

The election was presided over by the Acting Governor General and Speaker to National Parliament, Hon Ajilon nasiu.

During the voting process, one ballot was spoilt and could not be counted.

Delivering his maiden speech upon the announcement of his victory by Hon. Nasiu, Hon Hou said his immediate task is to try and address the challenging road ahead.

“…the road ahead is challenging, I am fully aware of the enormity of the task before us. I am also conscious of the limited time we have on hand. Indeed there are questions as to what my Government plans to achieve in this very short time.

“My good people, I can assure you that my new administration will quickly put in place a strategy that entails a set of priorities that are deemed achievable in the short period.

“The strategy is to continue with the projects and programs of the previous DCCG with increase level of policy implementation aimed to stabilize the fiscal situation, strengthen budget implementation and ensure we achieve tangible results in the short term,” Hon Hou said.

The new Prime Minister-elect is expected to be sworn-in at the Government House this afternoon to replace caretaker Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare who was ousted in a Motion of No-Confidence last Monday.

Hou is expected to name his new cabinet line-up in the coming days.

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