TEMOTU Province will elect its new premier next month.
That’s according to deputy provincial secretary Sam Kafukese.
Mr Kafukese said provincial members elected in the December 10 elections are now in Lata lobby to form the next government.
He said two camps have been formed.
One camp prefers provincial member for Temotu Neo ward Nickson Lanoli, while the other camp is considering the female MPA for Nea No’oele ward, Ipei Joselyn Wesley.
Mr Kafukese said the current provincial members seem to have over-looked former premier Fr Brown Beu in the nomination process.
He said Temotuans wanted a new premier to lead their province for the next four years.
“We need a premier who is visionary, nationalistic, strategic and with integrity,” he said.
“Someone who understands well how to link the national government with Temotu Provincial Government.”
Mr Kafukese said there are major proposed development projects earmarked in the province and it needs strong political will at the provincial level to push these projects through to the national government for funding assistance.
Meanwhile, candidate Nickson Lanoli is a secondary school teacher.
He graduated with a Diploma in Science secondary teaching at the former Solomon Islands College of Higher Education and later obtained a his degree in Education and Management from the University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea.
Ipei Joselyn Wesle, on the other hand, is a form six leaver who has attended short-term trainings in leadership in Honiara and overseas.
Mr Kafukese said the provincial members will travel back to their respective villages for the Christmas break before returning in the new year to elect the premier.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
