By Rolynda Jonathan
The Senate has rejected the President’s finance and education ministerial appointees for the fourth consecutive time.
Today, during their fourth day of the second regular session, the Senate rejected Secilil Eldebechel for the Ministry of Finance and Andrew Tabelual who was nominated for the Ministry of Education.
Each shy of one vote, it’s not clear at this point whether both appointees will be confirmed at the Senate’s next session day or whether the President is considering appointing new nominees.
The absence of a full cabinet may also cause further delays in implementing plans outlined in the newly launched Management Action Plan (MAP).
“The delay in assembling the cabinet is certainly a hindrance in accomplishing 100 day initiatives outlined in the MAP (Management Action Plan),” said the President’s Press Office.
However the Press Office affirmed that the newly established Inter-Agency Coordinating Group (IACG will be working with the Director’s of each Bureau in the absence of Ministers to ensure that initiatives under the MAP would be implemented accordingly.
So far, the Senate has approved President Remengesau’s nominees to the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism and the Ministry of Health.
No nominees have been submitted for the Ministry of State and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce to date.