29 Nov 2007

Solomons Opposition remains determined despite latest defections to govt

4:17 pm on 29 November 2007

The Solomon Islands opposition MP Steve Abana says his colleagues must exercise caution and not be lured to the government.

He says the opposition remains determined to remove the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare despite losing two of its MPs to his cabinet this week.

MPs Johnson Koli and Peter Boyers are the latest defections to cabinet since the mass resignation from the government of at least ten MPs earlier this month.

Although the government appears to have evened up the numbers of MPs, Mr Abana says the opposition can increase their own number by the time parliament sits.

He says the opposition still aims to move a motion of no-confidence in Mr Sogavare.

"We need to consolidate, we need to keep ourselves together strongly again, keep everybody informed and then we need to have our defence mechanisms working because the fluidity of the situation and the lobbying. The government is very resourceful and these are the things that we should be looking out for and be careful of their strategy of lobbying."

Steve Abana