PM Manele Asserts Confidence in GNUT’s Unity Amid Political Tension

By Sharon Nanau 

Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele said he is confident in the solidarity of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

It was reported recently that GNUT could lose some its members due to disagreements among the government members themselves and political power plays by members of parliament outside of the ruling coalition.

Hon Manele told local media political power struggle is not a new issue for the country and he is managing the situation.

“These things always happen in Solomon Islands and as a leader who is in government we manage them within the coalition, so we are managing those stories.”

He emphasised political stability is needed if the country wants to develop.

“It is important that we continue to have political stability in this country whether it‘s in this government or another government, stability is key in terms of driving the development agenda in the country and in our case the transformation we are talking about will require stability, transformation doesn’t happen overnight, the initiatives were trying to do now, the benefits probably we’ll occur two years later,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele during his remarks to close the debate on the motion Address of Thanks to the Governor General told parliament there were attempts made by the opposition group to lure ministers from the government to their side.

“The transformation envisioned by GNUT is not mere rhetoric, it is actual transformation that is based on our needs as people and country, the leader of the opposition has stated that transformation must start from the top and this is why despite attempts made by the opposition to lure ministers from government to the opposition side we have stood our ground,” he said.

Hon Manele said it is time to put stability and the interest of Solomon Islanders first before political interests.

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