-Rennell and Bellona premier loses motion of no-confidence
-New premier to be sworn in tomorrow
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Rennell and Bellona premier Derek Pongi has lost the motion of no-confidence against him.
Eric Sau’eha, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for ward 4, successfully moved the motion with six votes against four.
Nominations for the new premier opens today 11am and will run for 24 hours, lapsing at 11am tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec 31), Speaker for the Renbel provincial assembly Jephthah Tuhagenga told Island Sun yesterday from Tigoa, Rennell island.
“After that there will be the election for the new premier to be held Wednesday, Dec 31,” Mr Tuhagenga said.
Tuhagenga explains that according to Standing Orders after the motion of no-confidence, there will be a 48-hour period after which the election for a new premier can be held.
The Speaker said the meeting went smoothly with no display of emotions and hard exchanges between the MPAs.
“The atmosphere was very cool. There was no argument during the debate. MPAs were very calm with the outcome of the voting today.
“All MPAs demonstrated respect and mature attitude during our meeting today.
“I want to thank the mover of the motion Eric Sau’eha and his team for making sure that such process is procedural and conducted through the principle of good governance.
“I also appreciate Derek Pongi and his team for demonstrating mature leadership by accepting the motion outcome today,” Tuhagenga said.
The Speaker adds that public in the provincial capital, Tigoa, and abroad also behaved amicably.
“I would like to thank the public of Rennell and Bellona for accepting whatever political decisions happened today. I’m very pleased to see how the public of Rennell and Bellona respect their elected leaders to carry out their democratic mandatory roles,” Tuhagenga said.
Speaking to Island Sun from Tigoa yesterday, MPA for ward 8, Collin Tesu’atai, echoed Speaker Tuhagenga’s appreciation to Mr Pongi and his group and the public for the ‘smooth’ motion of no-confidence yesterday.
Mr Tesu’atai said their premier candidate is naturally the motion mover, Mr Eric Sau’eha.
Tesuatai shares that he will be deputy premier while taking on the portfolios for tourism, education, medical and health, youth and sports, culture, women and children’s affairs.
Meanwhile, MPA for ward 6 Jorge Puia will take on the finance and treasury ministry; MPA for ward 5 Rex Teno to take the Works, Transport and Communications portfolio; MPA for ward 2 Lence Tago to take the fisheries, agriculture, mines and forestry ministry; and MPA for ward 10 Shira Sau’eha Itaku to be the deputy speaker.
Following his election and swearing in tomorrow, the new premier will announce and swear in his new executive.
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