THE newly elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has been sworn in four hours after his election victory before the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at the Government House yesterday afternoon.
Manasseh Sogavare was declared the country’s Prime Minister following a secret ballot in the parliament house after he won 31 votes to 19 against his contender Jeremiah Manele.
Sogavare became the 10th PM of the country, making him the first leader to hold the leadership role three times.
Although his past two previous times as the country’s PM were not served for the full term of the house.
Sogavare took his Oath as PM and Oath of Allegiance before his Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) members and those from the diplomatic corp.
Speaking straight after his elected victory, Sogavare has assured the nation to re-commit the government he leads into the hands of the Almighty God.
However he said the war is not yet over.
“We still have to deal with our people’s daily survival stories,” Sogavare said.
He stressed that this country has some huge tasks ahead.
“First we need a stabilisation initiative that would come quick in the form of a mini-budget.
He stressed that this country is in a state of an economic slowdown and is in dire need for new money.
Adding the mini-budget must be done to ensure basic services continue to reach the people.
He said the state of the economy and the social issues facing this country must be addressed if his leadership is to leave any legacy afterwards.
However Sogavare highlighted that his government’s vision for change is not just a political rhetoric.
Adding, everyone are conscious of the need for re-direction and reforms.
Meanwhile he said despite the challenges this country and its traditional partners overseas had faced in building a stronger country, the way forward to achieve this is to have a collective effort .
Meanwhile the new PM elect said he will announce the deputy PM and crown ministers in the coming days.
The government would also work on a policy framework over the next 100 days, he said.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA