Resignation of Deputy PM not a threat to government stability: Sogavare

By Chris Leua

The resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines and Energy, Job Dudley Tausinga will not affect the stability of the Grand Coalition for Change Government in any adverse manner.

“Not at all. I do not see any affect at all on the stability of the government after the resignation of Mr Tausinga, as I had freely consult with his party members and our coalition partners at all times,” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said.

“It was through such consultations that I decided to reshuffle him to the Department for Mines and Energy last week. His party members felt that the best approach to be taken was to reshuffle his ministerial post.”

Mr Sogavare added that reshuffling of ministerial portfolios is a normal exercise in any government.

“Reshuffling of ministerial posts is a normal exercise that any prime minister can take whenever he sees it fit to do so. As the leader of the government, I decided on reshuffling the two portfolios in the interest of the country as a whole,” Mr. Sogavare said.

Mr Tausinga’s resignation, which is linked to his reshuffling, took effect yesterday, and he now remains an ordinary Member of Parliament (MP) for North New Georgia, although not on the government’s side.

While the position of the Deputy Prime Minister remains vacant, no time frame has been decided on when the new replacement will be selected.

Source: Government Communications Unit