The Vanuatu Government has announced more appointments in a bid to cater for the demand of its backbenchers.
At the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday afternoon, three extra appointments for parliamentary positions were added to the only one that was created previously.
In a ceremony witnessed by state ministers, government backbenchers, officials and government supporters, the Vanua’aku Pati MP for Tanna, Johnny Koanapo was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office. His primary role would be to advise the government on international affairs.
Mr Koanapo was the former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He resigned in December last year to contest this year’s snap election and won one of the 7 seats in Tanna constituency.
The second parliamentary secretary position responsible for education was awarded to the National United Party MP for Pentecost, Silas Bule. MP Bule is an educationist having served for many years as a secondary teacher and school principle.
The Graon mo Jastis Pati MP for Tanna, Andrew Solomon Napuat was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Provincial Affairs.
And the MP for Malekula, Gracia Chadrack was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries.
After signing the appointment letters, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, said the appointments were necessary to enable government services to flow down to the grassroots level.
The parliamentary secretary positions are equivalent to that of ministerial portfolios but technically cannot be called that because the Constitution states that the number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed a quarter of the number of members of Parliament which is 52. This means the total number of ministerial portfolios cannot exceed 13.
In addition to the parliamentary secretary positions, the Prime Minister also announced the appointment of Graon mo Jastis MP for Paama, Fred William Tasso as leader of government business. MP Tasso was president of the Malampa provincial council but resign to contest the snap election and won the only seat on Paama Island.
The former education minister and Vanua’aku Pati’s MP for Tanna, Bob Loughman also received his letter of appointment for the position of Government whip in parliament.
From the six appointments made yesterday afternoon Mr Loughman is the only member who is serving his third term in parliament while MPs Johnny Koanapo, Silas Bule, Andrew Napuat and Fred William Tasso are serving their first term.