Honorable Premier of Makira-Ulawa Province and MPA for Ward 15, Hon. Stanley Siapu
BY LIONEL TAORAO – ISLES FREELANCER
The Honorable Premier of Makira-Ulawa Province and MPA for Ward 15, Hon. Stanley Siapu, has dismissed the allegations raised against his government which triggered Tuesday’s Motion of No Confidence, saying they do not amount to any breach of law or statutory duty.
The motion, filed by Hon. Douglas Kuper, MPA for East Arosi Ward, cited three grounds:
- Gross misuse or neglect of powers
- Misappropriation of public funds
- Conduct bringing the Office of the Speaker into disrepute
However, Premier Siapu said the accusations were based on assumptions and administrative opinions rather than solid legal grounds.
He pointed to Section 19 of the Provincial Government Act, which he said does not permit the removal of a premier or government on suspicion or opinion alone.
“Looking at the grounds for the motion, there is no specific breach of the law,” he stated.
Premier Siapu also explained that one of the main focus of the mover’s allegations is centred on the Office of the Secretariat, which falls directly under the Office of the Premier.
“The Secretariat is directly under the functions and responsibility of the Premier’s Office, in relation to the policy of the PACRA government,” he said. “The Secretariat operates within the bounds and parameters of the Premier’s Office.”
Responding to claims of misconduct and mismanagement, the Premier explained that all decisions taken by his government were made collectively by the Executive and endorsed by the Provincial Assembly.
“When decisions are made for the good of the people or the province, there is nothing sinister about them,” Siapu said.
Premier Siapu added that his government is now entering the midterm period of its governing mandate and is preparing to conduct a midterm review to assess performance and progress.
“We are now going into the midterm period of governing, and my government is looking forward to holding a midterm review,” he said. “So as Premier, together with my Executive, we will seriously look into the review.”
Following a heated debate in the Provincial Assembly, the Motion of No Confidence was defeated by a vote of 13 to 7, allowing Premier Siapu and his Executive to remain in office.
