BY IRWIN ANGIKI
A motion of no-confidence is set to be tabled Monday, December 29, against Renbel Premier Derek Pongi.
Following a two-week standoff, the Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers has sorted the matter, clearing the way for the Motion to proceed.
Renbel Assembly Speaker Jephthah Tuhagenga confirmed from Tigoa station in Rennell having received fresh advice from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) yesterday [Dec 24] afternoon to convene a special assembly meeting on December 29.
“I have received fresh advice from the Ministry (MPGIS) via email today. The directive from the AG Chambers is to date a meeting for December 29.
“So I had to reissue a notice today, calling on all MPAs to make their way to the Tigoa and attend the meeting.
“The motion of no-confidence is the only business of the meeting. According to procedures, 48 hours following the motion will the election for a new premier and executive be done,” Mr Tuhagenga said.
He adds that around half of the MPAs are in Tigoa station, while the other half are in Honiara, including Premier Pongi who should travel over the weekend.
“Premier Derek Pongi has been made aware of the directive and the meeting on Dec 29, and is expected to make his way to Tigoa,” Tuhagenga said.
The non-executives who have moved the motion are with six members, commanding the majority in the 10-ward province.
“Our group of six are solid and together in our focus to successfully move the motion and elect our new premier,” MPA for ward 8 Collin Tesu’atai told Island Sun yesterday [Dec 24].
It is understood that the MPA for ward 4, Eric Sau’eha, is the mover of the motion.
Deadlock after a meeting invalidated by MPGIS
The last two weeks the Renbel provincial assembly was at a standoff. Apparently there were two premiers at one point.
Two members of premier Pongi’s government had defected to the other side, giving the non-executive a majority of six members against Pongi’s four.
On Tuesday, December 2, the non-executives with their newfound majority submitted a notice to the Speaker of the Renbel provincial assembly petitioning the premier to step down since he no longer commanded the majority, along with other allegations.
That same day letters of resignation by the two ministers of Premier Pongi’s executive were tendered to the Speaker.
The petition notice requested that the Speaker set an extra-ordinary meeting on Friday, December 5 to hear out the petition.
The petition notice was also served to premier Pongi.
However, the next day, premier Pongi ignored the gravity of the matter and flew off to Fiji for a rugby 7s tournament, accompanying his team, ‘Islanders’.
His departure stalled proceedings and an extra-ordinary meeting could not be held on December 5.
On December 8, the non-executives submitted another petition notice to the Speaker, similar to the first one submitted on December 2 but with amendments to the dates.
An extra-ordinary meeting was scheduled for December 10.
Pongi arrived back in Honiara on December 10. His team had lost – an early exit in the tournament.
During the extra-ordinary meeting on December 10, the Speaker ruled the petition successful and a new premier was sworn in, MPA for ward 4, Eric Saueha, along with his new executive and a new deputy speaker.
Absence of a member acceptable by law requires that the reasons are related to – death, health problems, or any other more important government business. Premier Pongi’s absence satisfied neither.
But, on December 12 a letter from the Minister of MPGIS declared the meeting and outcomes of December 10 null and void.
The non-executives pursued the matter as far as the AG Chambers.
The directive from the AG Chambers, sighted by this paper, was reportedly given to the Speaker yesterday [Dec 24] by the MPGIS. The AG’s memorandum was dated December 18 addressed to the permanent secretary of MPGIS, Dr Derek Futaiasi, and signed by AG John Muria Jnr.
Muria Jnr’s letter recognised that the notice of motion of no-confidence by the non-executive was filed on Friday, December 12.
However, it was pinned on the provincial assembly notice board by the clerk on Wednesday, Dec 17, Muria Jnr said.
The Attorney General said the notice matured on December 24 but due to public holidays the next possible date that a meeting to accommodate the motion of no-confidence could legally be held on is December 29.
The AG has not responded to enquiries by this paper.
MPGIS PS Mr Futaiasi, when sought for comments earlier this week declined saying the matter was in the hands of the AG.
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