By Katalina Siasau
Five ministerial portfolios are now vacant after three Nobles resigned from the Cabinet recently. No reason for the resignations was provided by the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu at his first media briefing today as the new Acting Prime Minister of Tonga.
He was joined at the briefing by the former Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, who resigned yesterday as Prime Minister.
The three Nobles resigning from Ministerial portfolis are Lord Tu'i'afitu (Minister for Lands and Natural Resources); Lord Vaea (Minister for Internal Affairs); and Lord Fohe(Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries).
These resignations bring to five the number of ministerial portfolios vacant, following the April resignations of Hon. Hu'akavameiliku as the Minister for Defence, and Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
However, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku said he would for the time being hold on to his positions as Minister for Education and Minister of Police.
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said the Acting Prime Minister would also be Acting Minister for the Defence and the Foreign Affairs, “or whatever the Acting Prime Minister wishes.”
Regarding his role as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku said the matter would be decided with the Forum's Secretariat to see if something had to be done now, or if they could wait until a new Prime Minister is selected.
"There are many responsibilities for the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, especially looking at the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) with the millions that it comes with, and also the upcoming PIF funding campaign to be held in March next year, at the World Bank Finance Ministers meeting,” he said.
He noted that it's important to hold on to this role because the opppotunity for the Tonga to be Chair of the Forum came after 17 years.
Meanwhile, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku affirmed that he would not be a candidate for the election of a Prime Minister on 24 December.
The Acting PM Hon. Vaipulu also said he would not be running for the job of Prime Minister.
He said that he would not be making any changes to the government in the remaining 14 days until a new PM is selected.
