Veo gov’t swears in new minister and new deputy premier following resignations

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Western Provincial Government has a new executive member. Hon. Eric Hitu, MPA for Nono, Ward 22, who joined the executive government after the resignation of MPA for Ward 24, Hon Carlrick Runimetu.

Runimetu, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance submitted his resignation on Monday this week. It was believed that Runimetu mentioned being underutilised in his role as Minister for Finance as one of the reasons for his resignation.

During the swearing-in ceremony of the new executive member at the Western Provincial Government office complex in Gizo this afternoon, Western Provincial Assembly speaker Ramrakha Talasasa wishes Hon Hitu the very best in his new role as executive member. With the new role and responsibilities in the executive government, Ramrakha urged the new executive member to look at his role more broadly. Joining the executive government, Hitu will take up the role of Minister for Culture & Tourism.

Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony, Hitu thanked the premier and the executive for taking him on board.

Hitu said that he is well prepared and ready to work with the executive members and the administration team of the Western Provincial Government.

Hitu further mentioned that through the challenges, he believed that the executive can endure.

Because of the resignation of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance, there was a reshuffle in ministerial portfolios within the executive government.

Hon Ron Kituru Ghemu, who was the Minister for Culture and Tourism took up the Finance Ministerial portfolio. Hon Brian Lotikena, who is the current Minister for Transport, Works and Communication, took up the role of Deputy Premier for Western Province.

 Premier Billy Veo informed the media and other personnel who attended the swearing-in ceremony that the reshuffle of his executive members to various key portfolios within his government was made after much consultation with his executive.

“It was after much consultation before I made such appointments. Consultation is key, and I’m always engaged in it”, Veo said.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Veo highlighted that his appointment of Lotikena as Deputy Premier and Ghemu as Minister for Finance was influenced by his belief in grooming new leaders to take up key portfolios.

“Over the past two years I’ve been working on grooming new leaders in the provincial government”, Veo said.

Lotikena is new to the role as Deputy Premier, and Veo therefore calls for support to be given to him in his new role.

An important immediate role that the new Deputy Premier will undertake is to travel to China with other provincial government delegates.

After the reshuffling, Veo is confident that his executive is still strong and has the numbers to rule.

“Our current number is 14, and we’re still strong and united”, Veo said.

Although there were rumours that four executive members of his current government would resign soon, Veo rubbishes the claims.

“Our current focus now is on passing the revised budget, and on the mid-term review on 28th October”, Veo said.

Veo thanked the administration team for their work, and he urged them to remain neutral when it comes to politics.

The premier further advised his executive members that politics is a double-edged knife. “Please be watchful in your roles. Your actions and decisions while performing your duty can impact your role and career”, Veo advised.

It is believed that the Western Provincial executive government has moved on from the recent hiccup, and will resume business as usual this Thursday and Friday to discuss matters related to Energy.