Two government backbenchers have accepted the Speaker of Parliament’s offer to chair the Public Accounts Committee and the Health and Medical Services Committee.
This follows the decision by six Opposition Members of Parliament to formally decline offers to take up chairmanship roles in Parliamentary Standing Select Committees.
Speaker of Parliament Patterson Oti confirmed the developments on Tuesday, following the resignation of nine committee chairpersons and the appointment of another as a Minister, creating a total of ten vacancies.
“By Sunday, we offered the first ten chairmanships,” Oti said.
“Although nine resigned, the tenth chairman was appointed as a minister, which also created a vacancy.”
Oti said invitations were sent to ten MPs to take up the roles, including six from the Opposition.
“Of the first ten invitations issued, six from the Opposition formally declined in writing,” he said.
“Of the four remaining government backbenchers, one responded positively earlier for the Health and Medical Services Committee, and today we received another acceptance for the Public Accounts Committee.”
The Speaker said responses are still pending from two government MPs for the Bills and Legislation Committee and the House Committee.
“All members from the Opposition bench—currently numbering 28—declined the first six offers,” he added.
Oti further revealed that another ten invitations were sent out, but all were returned with formal refusals. A final round of invitations is now being issued.
“Once that is exhausted, then the whole chairmanship process is concluded,” he said.
The Speaker described the situation as a “serious political impasse” following the mass resignation of committee chairpersons and members.
“This has created a serious impasse that undermines the effective functioning of Parliament. It is an unprecedented situation in our Parliament’s history,” he said.
Oti stressed that while political disagreements are part of democracy, abandoning parliamentary responsibilities undermines public trust.
“Parliament is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is where the voices of our people are represented, laws are debated, and accountability is upheld,” he said.
He reminded MPs that their duties are not optional and must continue despite political tensions.
“The committees of Parliament are vital instruments of scrutiny and accountability, and their work cannot be abandoned or ignored,” he said.
Oti also highlighted limitations in his role, noting that only the Prime Minister has the authority to summon Parliament.
“It is regrettable that I am not empowered, either by the Constitution or Standing Orders, to recall Parliament in situations like this,” he said.
“In the absence of a sitting calendar or relevant rules, only the Government, through the Prime Minister, can summon Parliament.”
He urged all MPs to return to dialogue and uphold democratic values.
“Democracy is resilient only when its institutions remain active. Parliament must continue to function for the sake of our people and the future of the Solomon Islands,” Oti said.
