SIDCCG tight-lipped over sackings of ministers and political appointees
BY ALFRED SASAKO
TODAY could be D-Day for up to five senior ministers and at least two senior political appointees.
But the Government remained tight-lipped last night over the sacking of those within government who Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela has blamed for instigating instability in his three-month-old Government.
Calls and text message inquiries to government officers last night went unanswered.
But others knowledgeable about the political situation told Island Sun last night that up to five Ministers could be removed by today (Monday) along with two senior political appointees.
The unnamed ministers and the political appointees are said to be part of a network of a faction within the three-month-old SIDCCG allegedly responsible for instigating moves to “dethrone” Prime Minister Hou.
Insiders later accused the Opposition of being directly-linked to the plot, infuriating the Prime Minister and prompting him to act.
The planned dismissals of about five Ministers and at least two political appointees were to have taken place last Friday morning to coincide with the formal launch of the SIDCCG’s Policy and Translation documents.
The on-off, on-off ceremony was however moved to 4.30pm that day. But nothing happened last Friday afternoon.
The explanation from Government House was that it had not received the relevant instruments for the sackings and swearing in of new Ministers from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The absence of the Attorney General from Honiara was also blamed for the hiccup.
Island Sun was informed last week that the firing of Ministers and subsequent swearing-in of newer ones has been moved to today (Monday).
Opposition Leader Manasseh Maelanga continues to deny any involvement by his Members, who met last Tuesday and were due to meet again last Thursday.
Last Tuesday’s meeting was reportedly attended by at least one MP from the Independent Group in Parliament.
