By Alfred Sasako
COMMINS Mewa was on Monday sacked as Minister of Home Affairs allegedly for non-performance, being the second victim relating to the organising of the 2023 South Pacific Games.
His replacement, Ishmael Avui MP, was sworn in at a brief ceremony at Government House yesterday.
Avui’s appointment was announced in a press statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet following his swearing in. It did not mention Mewa’s name.
Mewa’s sacking is the first since the SIDCCG came into office last December.
Island Sun understands that the Office of the Prime Minister became concerned about issues relating to the preparation of the South Pacific Games which Solomon Islands in 2023.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was the coordinating Office for the Games until earlier this year when its Permanent Secretary, George Palua, was replaced by Steve Abana MP as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Games.
A high level committee has since been established within the Office of the Prime Minister to work on the Games as well as to secure funding for hosting the sporting carnival four years from now.
“Nothing seems to have moved since last year. So Hon Mewa has been sidelined,” one insider told Island Sun yesterday.
Officials are reportedly concerned that very little has been done and there is little time left.
To date only Taiwan has assured the Government it would help to ensure Solomon Islands is successful in hosting the Games.
Taipei is said to be waiting on the Government for specific details on the costs of hosting the Games.
Despite visits by two prime ministers to Taiwan, Taipei has never specified what monetary help it would provide towards hosting the Games.
A committee set up by former deputy prime minister and MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete, said in a report that the cost of the National Stadium and other facilities would cost around $271 million (about USD35 million).
