Special Bulletin 3 Publication of TuvaluFebruary Media Department 16, 2015 Government of Tuvalu Email: [email protected] Special Bulletin 3 Fenui e-newsletter is publicized with the approval of the Tuvalu Media General Manager Melali Taape Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga stands elected Stories this week: as uncontested PM New PM wants to con- tinue working for the betterment of Tuvalu Page 2 Four Members of Parliament did not attend the election of Prime Minister Page 3 Prime Minister named his cabinet Page 4 In pictures: Page 5 1 Special Bulletin 3 February 16, 2015 Newly sworn in Prime Minister continues to work on their aspiration for a change for the better lives of Tuvalu citizens By Yvette D’Unienville the better lives He added that Cyclone Pam of the people of has clearly shown how vulnerable the nation.” Tuvalu is to disaster, therefore ex- T h e cuses about costs, limited capac- roadmap that ity, that would delay efforts to was put to- minimize the vulnerability of Tu- gether by the valu and its people will no longer previous gov- be tolerated. ernment en- “We need to address these shrined broad vulnerabilities, and therefore visions and guided under the progress made goals of the under the roadmap, We are gonna previous gov- fell particular focus on vulnerabili- ernment in the ties and Poverty as number one area of health, enemy of Tuvalu, and i think we Prime Minister Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga and especially can overcome these if we synchro- the security of nies and if we strategize our work THE newly sworn in Prime Minis- the lives of the people in the na- properly, target it in a more strate- ter who is none other than the for- tion. gic ways of addressing it. But the mer Head of Government looks And Prime Minister said he priority should be placed on hu- forward to his second term in of- is pleased that this is also the top man development and fulfilling fice in order to continue working priority of this government in this the human rights of every single on the vision to make positive four year term because discussions Tuvaluan, so that each and every- changes for the better lives of the on developments and development one can enjoy to the fullest their people of Tuvalu. plans will be in vain, if attention is freedom and human rights given Hon Enelee Sosene Sopo- not paid to the protection of the by the constitution aga , stood uncontested on Friday’s lives of the people in Tuvalu. Sopoaga intended to pay a meeting for the election of the “The roadmap is a living visit to all the islands and eye wit- new Prime Minister for the nation, document and the spirit of the ness the impacts of Cyclone Pam and was declared Prime Minister document is to move on and pro- on the lives of the men and women by the Governor General of Tuvalu gressive and therefore we will look of the nation. His Excellency Sir Iakoba Taeia at the roadmap as the basis of our He said that his government Italeli who conducted and presided work and basis of our partnerships will not pay particular attention to over the meeting. with friends but we are putting par- only one island or a few but all the “This leadership hears the ticular emphasis on the importance islands of Tuvalu. voice of the people of the nation, of security and the survival of our The Prime Minister and his for those were the voices that the people will because of the vulner- cabinet were sworn in at the Vai- previous leadership had tried to ability of Tuvalu to impacts of en- aku Falekaupule in a ceremony address therefore it is also the vironmental disasters, global mar- that took place at ten o’clock in the hope to continue working from kets, globalization we saw that dur- morning, right after the meeting for what had been done by the previ- ing cyclone PAM ,also impacts of the election of the new Prime Min- ous government for a change for global markets.” ister■ 2 Special Bulletin 3 February 16, 2015 The meeting for the election of the Prime Minister was conducted de- spite the absence of four Representatives to Parliament By Yvette D’Unienville the Prime Minis- ter’s position al- though he allowed them time after the closing hour at four o’clock, Thursday after- noon April 9. W h e n asked whether the meeting for the election of the Prime Minister could still be con- ducted, even with Prime Minister Sopoaga and former and new member of his party Photo: Semi Malaki the absence of the four members, Sir THE meeting for the election of the MP’s signed in support of Hon Taeia said, the majority of mem- Prime Minister went on ahead on Enele Sosene Sopoaga. bers who attended the meeting Friday April 10, although it started His Excellency said after made up the quorum required for a bit late to allow other members to carefully considering all those the meeting to elect Tuvalu’s news Parliament to join in. points, he then informed the MP’s Prime Minister. However four members of that the meeting would be held on “Hon Enelee Sosene Sopo- Parliament never turned up for the Thursday April 9. aga stood elected after an uncon- meeting. However Sir Taeia had to tested nomination and was there- In an interview with the change the date of the meeting to fore declared the new Prime Minis- Governor General Sir Iakoba Taeia be held on Friday April 10, after ter of Tuvalu.” Italeli, he says that he made his de- he received a letter from the four The other four MP’s also cision to call the meeting after MP’s in the other group, expressing did not attend the meeting for the considering that ample time had their disappointment about the selection of the Speaker to Parlia- been given to MP’s to form a new minimum time given to MP’s after ment and the former Speaker Hon government . election to make their moves for Tauteleimalae Tausi also stood He said, he also took into the formation of the new govern- elected due to an uncontested account the immediate needs of the ment. nomination. nation during the long period with His Excellency admitted The selection of the speaker a government especially with re- that he had to reverse his decision was conducted by Clerk to Parlia- gard to impacts of Tropical Cy- to hold the meeting on Thursday ment and the notice was signed by clone PAM. April 9, to Friday 10, saying his his Excellency Governor General. The nomination for the previous decision was not in accor- Prime Minister’s Chair from the dance with the constitution to allow ...continue to page 5 other group was submitted on 24 hours to MP’s from the time the Wednesday this week, and I saw notice was served. that they are ready to form a new He said the other group government as a the majority of never submitted any nomination for 3 Special Bulletin 3 February 16, 2015 Prime Minister Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga named his Hon Maatia Toafa Cabinet By Semi Malaki CARETAKER Prime Minister Hon Enele Sosene Sopo- aga was sworn in as Tuvalu Head of Government for an- other term alongside his cabinet ministers. Hon Fauoa Maani Sopoaga took his oath as a Member of Cabinet, Prime Minister and Minister of Public Utilities and Infra- structure. Hon Maatia Toafa who was Caretaker Minister of Finance and Economic Development was sworn in as the new Deputy Prime Minister and also minister of finance and economic development. Hon Taukelina Finikaso The elected Member of Parliament from Nanumea Hon Satini Tulaga Manuella who also joins Sopoaga’s party was sworn in as Cabinet member and Minister of Health. Hon Taukelina Finikasoo was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and La- bor and also as a Member of Cabinet. Hon Fauoa Maani sworn in as the Minister of Edu- Hon Satini T Manuella cation, Youth and Sports, as well as Cabinet member. Hon Namoliki Sualiki Neemia also sworn in as Cabinet Member and Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development. Hon Monise Laafai retained his portfolio and sworn in as Minister of Communication and Transports and a Member of Cabinet. Hon Elisala Pita also retained his portfolio and Hon Namoliki S Neemia sworn in as Minister of Natural Resources and a Member of Cabinet. Members of the Cabinets swore that they will do the best of their judgments at all times when require to do so freely and they will give the council and advise to the good management of the affairs of Tuvalu. Prime Minister Sopoaga thanked and congratu- Hon Monise Laafai lated members of parliaments especially the new members of parliament from Niutao Hon Sam P Teo and Hon Dr Puakena Boreham from Nui for joining his party. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and was presided over by His Excellency Governor General Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli. The ceremony was held on Friday March 10th at Hon Elisala Pita the Vaiaku Falekaupule■ 4 Special Bulletin 3 February 16, 2015 ...continue from page 3 In Pictures: Speaking for the four MP’s who did not attend the meetings, the other Funafuti Representative to Parliament Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi said they did not attend the meeting purely because of their disappointment that insuf- ficient time was given to MP’s after the General Election to form a new government.