The Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale questions the Prime Minister over the long delay in the appointment of a new Deputy Prime Minister.
The DPM post became vacant after the former, John Maneniaru (MP), was sacked from the post on September 30, 2019. Since the sacking the government has not appointed a replacement to date.
The Opposition leader says, “This delay is not in the interest of good governance and transparency.
“The current government is made up of political parties and until that changes, the Political Party and Integrity Act requires a deputy representing the coalition party with the second largest number to be appointed.
“It is therefore important that this position be filled up as soon as possible.
“The Prime Minister appointed Hon Manasseh Maelanga as the Acting Prime Minister recently, when he was overseas.
“If this is an indication of the Government’s preference for the DPM post, he should now follow through and appoint Hon Maelanga and not delay the process any further.
“Or is it that the Prime Minister has no confidence in any of his senior Ministers and is still fishing around for the right candidate?
“The position of DPM provides a balancing equation in Government leadership, hence should not be politicised, if that is what the Prime Minister is doing,” says Wale.
Opposition Press Release