-OUR Party reportedly planned to have People First Party surrender 3 ministerial portfolios for sake of fairness
-OUR Party with 25 members and 12 portfolios, PFP with 11 members and 10 portfolios
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
The government coalition is reportedly again on shaky grounds following a move by the major partner OUR Party to seize ministries from People First Party.
OUR Party reportedly sees it as unfair that as the major coalition partner boasting 25 MPs, only 12 have portfolios (48 percent) while People First Party with 11 MPs having 10 portfolios (91 percent).
In a meeting immediately following the recent controversial reshuffling of the finance minister, attended by 11 OUR Party MPs, it was resolved that ‘PFP must surrender three ministerial portfolios to OUR Party’.
The ministries to be surrendered are – Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Infrastructure Development (MID) and Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) – all currently held by PFP members.
Senior OUR Party officer bearers did not respond when contacted by the paper for comment last week.
Ministers of the ministries in contention denied the report when contacted last week.
Mines Minister Derick Manuari described the report as ‘false’.
“I also heard that but categorised it as a rumour because Our Party denied it in Caucus this week,” Mr Manuari said last week.
MID Minister Ricky Fuo’o declined to comment when sought via his communications officer, saying that only OUR Party can answer to this report.
MAL Minister Frank Wasi said, “Not true.”
Meanwhile, insiders told Island Sun the problem lies with OUR Party bringing in new MPs following two motions of no-confidence in its bid to stay in power.
“Now, OUR Party has a different line-up from when GNUT government began ruling in 2024. OUR Party has new MPs who were lured during the two motions of no-confidence, some with promise of ministerial portfolios.
“And OUR Party is struggling to deliver. It cannot remove existing OUR Party MPs from their ministerial posts. So, they are playing the ‘unfairness’ card in an attempt to take ministerial portfolios from People First Party,” the insiders said.
“PFP has remained consistent in its make-up of the same MPs who supported PM Jeremiah Manele into prime ministership in 2024.”
In essence, OUR Party is willing to create instability in the coalition for the sake of appeasing its own members, the insiders said.
Meanwhile, a political pundit sharing in condition of anonymity explains that OUR Party’s move makes ‘political sense’.
“While it is not required in any law, it makes political sense that OUR Party should seek to dominate ministerial portfolios just as it is the major coalition partner in the government of the day.”
This development follows the controversial reshuffling of the finance portfolio from one member of OUR Party, Harry Kuma, to another, Trevor Manemahaga, early this month.
The reshuffle gave a glimpse of a rift reportedly existing in the OUR Party, while the PFP, an estranged second largest coalition member implicated in one of the two failed motions of no-confidence on the prime minister, lurking nearby.
While it remains to be seen how deep this ministry-grab attempt by OUR Party goes, insiders said it will be counted as another factor towards the reported third wave – a term used for a potential third motion of no-confidence on the prime minister.
“This is a natural discourse of a fragile and fragmented government towards a highly likely motion of no-confidence when parliament resumes on October 13,” insiders said.
Parliament is set to resume three weeks away.
The latest government party line-up according to the political parties commission include:
OUR Party:
Jeremiah Manele – Prime Minister
Harry Kuma – MCILI
Peter Shanel Agovaka – MFAET
Jimson Fiau Tanangada – MPNSCS
Cathy Nori Launa – MWYCFA
Bradley Tovosia – MFMR
Rexson Annex Ramofafia – MNPDC
Makario Tagini – MoFR
Douglas Choylin Yim – MCT
Vave Junior Isikeli – MHA
Mahaga Trevor Hedley – MoFT
Tozen Leokana – MEHRD
Maenu Ben – Backbencher
William Douglas Marau – Backbencher
Namson Tran – Backbencher
Stanley Festus Sofu – Backbencher
Claudius Te’ifi – Backbencher
Rollen Seleso – Backbencher
Nestor Ghiro – Backbencher
James Bonuga – Backbencher
Lazarus Rina – Backbencher
Stephen Kumi – Backbencher
Mary Daniella Zae Garu – Backbencher
Freda Tuki Soriacomua – Backbencher
Tuasulia Alfred – Backbencher
People First Party (PFP):
Chacha Bule Amoi – Backbencher
Frederick Koloqeto – DPM & MCA
Wayne OK Ghemu – MPGIS
Wasi Franklyn Derek – MAL
Paea Polycarp – MECDM
Dr Paul Popora Bosawai – MHMS
Francis MB Sade – MPS
Ricky Fuo’o – MID
Derick Rawcliff Manuari – MMERE
Tuhaika John Junior – MTGPEA
Clezy Rore – MJLA
Kandere Party of Solomon Islands (KPSI):
Lency Jamie Vokia
Oliver Salopuka
Morris Toiraena
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