Acting Prime Minister Fred Fono (MP) has welcomed the appointment of two new government ministers to Cabinet following a ministerial reshuffle exercise on May 5.

Laurie Chan, MP for West Guadalcanal and Manasseh Maelanga, MP for East Malaita were sworn-in before the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena in Honiara.

Hon. Chan is the new Minister for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, replacing Toswell Kaua. Mr Kaua is relieved on medical grounds.

Hon. Maelanga is the new Minister for the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, replacing David Day Pacha.

Mr Pacha is the new Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, replacing
Mr Edward Huni'ehu.

"The new appointments are crucial to ensure continuity in governance and decision making in Cabinet," Mr Fono said. "The other reason for the reshuffle is to ensure a speedy implementation of government policies by respective ministries".

In addition, Fono encouraged Ministers to continue to work hard to deliver what is expected of government to the citizens of Solomon Islands.