Sogavare explains decision to walk out from GNUT

Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has refuted criticisms surrounding the decision made by 11 senior government ministers and backbenchers to walk out from the government.

Speaking to the local media this morning Sogavare refuted criticisms that the decision undermined the interest of the people.

He said the members really cared for the country.

He explained the members moved out from the government because they deplore what he described as the ‘laissez-faire’attitude of the leadership towards serious issues which undermined the good intentions of the government.

Acknowledging the consequences of their decision on the stability of the government, Sogavare said the decision was made because they like to see the country progress with certainty and sense of purpose.

“If people think that the 11 senior members of the GNUT government who walked out of the government enjoyed the action that we had taken, they are mistaken.”

“We heard things like that said on social media…no right thinking politicians who cared about the nation who just walked out would do that. We care about the nation.”

The former finance minister said the members view the allegations that they moved to save themselves from corruption as insulting and based on ignorance on what was going on in the government.

He said sadly it has to reach its current stage if the Prime Minister acted decisively based on national interest.

He claimed GNUT started its journey on a very shaky ground, however, did not bother the leadership of the government, thinking it would sort itself out.

“It is with much regret and heavy heart of the six ministers and backbenchers that we decided to resign.”

He said by joining the opposition group they hoped to form a sensible government that really cares about the nation.

On Monday this week the Government House received the resignations of 11 Cabinet Ministers and government backbenchers.

They joined the opposition group with the intention to form the next government ahead of the motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister set to be tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

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