The Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP), which is a coalition partner in the current Salwai Tabimasmas-led coalition, held its third annual Elected Officials meeting on Lelepa Island, west Efate.
The meeting held last Friday and Saturday was attended by the six GJP MPs elected in the snap election of 2016 and 14 of the 17 GJP Councilors currently serving on the Provincial Governments of Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Shefa as well as the Municipal Councils of Luganville and Port Vila.
The GJP Presidents of Shefa and Sanma Province were also in attendance.
GJP President Minister Ralph Regenvanu called the meeting a “success”.
“The meeting allowed the other elected officials to meet the new Councilors elected in Luganville and Sanma Province last year, and was invaluable in sharing the experiences of the snap election of January 2016. Important resolutions were passed that will assist the growth of the party into the future”.
The GJP Constitution requires that a National Caucus of all elected officials of the party is held each year to bring together all MP’s and Councilors of the party to share experiences and contribute advice and guidance to assist the management and growth of the party.
The 2015 meeting was scheduled to be held in November last year but was cancelled due to the dissolution of Parliament and the snap election.
The meeting on Lelepa over the weekend was in fact the meeting for the year 2015.
The next elected officials meeting is scheduled to be held in Santo at the end of this year.
Last year, the GJP increased its numbers in parliament from 4 to 5 when People’s Progressive MP and former agriculture minister, David Tosul, joined the party. In this year’s snap elections the Graon mo Jastis Party, increased its numbers from 4 in 2012 to 6 seats in the national parliament.
It has also recently increased its dominance in Sanma province taking over the presidency. The party has two female councilors in the municipal councils. In the Luganville Municipal Council, the National United Party elected councilor, Renata Rosemary defected to GJP shortly after winning one of the reserved seats while Rosemary Fred of the GJ has also won a reserved seats for women in Port Vila’s Municipal Council.