By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI
PRIME Minister James Marape is expected to face another possible Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) attempt by the Opposition team when parliament resumes on September 3.
Members of the Opposition led by Leader Douglas Tomuriesa believe that legally they still have an opportunity to file a new motion of No-Confidence in Prime Minister’s leadership and that they are looking forward to the upcoming September Sitting.
While this could be one of the ongoing destabilisation factors faced by Marape-Rosso Government in delivering its policies and programs throughout the country, Section 145 allows for the Prime Minister to again face it head on.
While welcoming August 5 Supreme Court’s decision in dismissing a VoNC proceedings filed by the Opposition, PM Marape indicated that he is looking forward to September Sitting.
He also emphasised that the VoNC agenda remains active until 2026, and Opposition MPs have the Constitutional right to exercise it by properly complying all the Section 145 requirements.
In a statement earlier last week, the Prime Minister further reminded the Opposition that if they want to move another motion of No-Confidence, the September Session is the time.
“In September, we have the Papal visit, Independence is coming up, and Parliament will sit for two weeks,” PM assured.
“When Parliament resumes on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, they (Opposition) must ensure that the form is properly filled out for the Private Business Committee to peruse.
“I urge the ambitious young leaders on the other side to do it right this time.”
Mr. Tomuriesa, who also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, said despite the court’s decision, the 33 MPs of the Opposition remain vigilant to move another motion in the first week of September Sitting.
“Now that the proceedings have reached the end, the Opposition still remains committed to filing a motion of No-Confidence in Prime Minister James Marape,” Tomuriesa said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader urged PM Marape not to meddle in the affairs of the PBC and allow the process to take its course.
“My message to the Prime Minister is this: If you are not afraid of a VoNC like you say you are, then don’t meddle in the affairs of the PBC, let it be placed on the notice paper, and beat us fair and square with your numbers.
“The country is not in a good place – and the more time this government stays in power equals more pain for our people,” Mr Tomuriesa said.
Former Prime Minister and Member for Ialibu-Pangia, Hon. Peter O’Neill, also assured the country that VoNC is happening in September Sitting.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr. O’Neill said the power to decide whether VoNC takes place lies with the Constitution, not Prime Minister James Marape.
“In recent days, Marape has been extra busy not lowering the cost of living but ramping up the same old rhetoric that he will allow a VoNC and then same time, making all the actions of a man on the run,” he said.
“We in Opposition and the many in Marape’s government who are deeply concerned about the direction our country is going – we are honouring the Constitution and in September we will lodge the Motion of No-Confidence,” O’Neill said.
“The choice is now yours (PM Marape) to man up and accept the test to your leadership or dishonour your own people and country and continue to run.
“I call for restraint from our people; stay calm and let the Constitution do its job come September,” the former PM said.
Whether Opposition succeed in their motion or not, the country is still facing so many pressing issues which need to be fixed head on by any government of the day.
