Political storm brewing in CIP, 2 ministers resign, MPAs demand urgent assembly

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A political storm is brewing in the Central Province with the resignation of two ministers’ from the Michael Salini led government, switching the majority to the Non-Executive side.

And this morning, the Non-Executive members, which now commands eight provincial members of the 13 MPAs in the assembly, have written to the Speaker of Central Province Francis Moah to convene the next provincial assembly meeting on 5^th June.

The two resigned ministers are: Dagnal Meleha, Minister of Finance, Commerce and Investment and Percival Vaga’a, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Energy.

In their letters, both ministers thanked Salini for his leadership but justified their resignations stating that they had to leave due to few commitments they have made on the best interests of their families, wards and the province as a whole.

Speaker of the CIP Assembly Moah in confirming receiving the letter to SBM, states that he would facilitate the meeting as requested by the MPAs.

He confirmed that eight MPAs have signed the letter, meaning that the premier now runs a minority government.

Moah further pointed out that the 12 months grace period is also over.

He also noted that the letter is in compliance with section 58 of the standing orders.

In the letter signed by the eight MPAs’ Kenneth Sagupari, Eljah Taikole, Percival Vaga’a, Edgar Tarai, Polycap Galaigu, Richard Selson, Dagnal Meleha and Dennish Akorea, the members, agreed that the CIP is now run by a minority government.

They further argue that the likely outcome of future assembly meetings and conduct of government business in the assembly is now questionable.

Also, they pointed out that if the eight of them jointly vote together, then no business of the government which requires majority vote would ever get pass the first reading stage. Furthermore, they stress that the whole machinery of the assembly process and government business will grind to a halt.

Besides, the MPAs said: “There is in power in Central Province a minority Government that is unnecessary, inappropriate, inapplicable and unacceptable to the who principles of majority rule.”

The premier was unreachable as his mobile was turned off.