GOVERNMENT HITS BACK AT ABANA

Editor's Desk
Writer David Tuhanuku

The Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has called on the Leader of Opposition Steve Abana to grow up and stop his cheap political tactics of massaging half truths, gossips and rumors in his ongoing campaign of creating confusions in a desperate bid to topple the current NCRA Government.

In making the call on behalf of the Government Mr. Maelanga described as “childish and utterly rubbish” claims which Mr. Abana has made in the media that the government had began marketing the Minister of Fisheries Jimmy Lusibaea’s portfolio as he awaits his sentencing on Wednesday this week.

“Mr. Abana’s latest media stunt has also earlier displayed his immature attitude through the criticisms he’s made against the Government’s proposed Bureau for Social and Economic Reforms, using just one document without bothering to find out more about the proposal before going to the media.

He has done it again by manufacturing this unfounded gossip and rumour that the Government is trying to sell a colleague’s portfolio.” Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga said.

As the matter is before the court it is irresponsible and a possible case of contempt of court for Mr. Abana to try and force a debate on a matter that is before the High Court and the Government will not be dragged down the gutter to comment on a matter pending before the court.

“All of us Ministers in the NCRA Government are simply keeping our fingers crossed while we await the outcome of a court case involving a dear colleague, and if the Opposition Leader sees fit to bring up such non-issues for political expediency, then he better back off from this dangerous play.”

“Your game is too small for this government, we’ve got a country to run, and that is the difference between your Opposition and those of us serving in the current NCRA government.”

Mr. Maelanga said that never at any time would members of the government be involved in acts that are disrespectful, as the Opposition Leader had claimed and wrongly assumed, and which are dangerous for the government.
“While at the same time we don’t want to be seen as lacking contingency plans in the worst scenario case.”

He said: “It was obvious that the opposition leader, having sensed the great sensitivity of his accusations, went to great lengths to balance a story he has manufactured for political reasons, by trying to balance it with a commendation for Minister Lusibaea’s outstanding performance in his capacity as minister for fisheries. This is hypocritical and cynical,” he said.

“Coupling a positive statement with a negative statement and assuming the public feeds from such contradictions is but a careless piece from the perfect creationist.”

The acting Prime Minister said one can infer from the opposition leader’s statement that we are still more worried about the government’s numerical strength.

“Who better be more worried about the numbers than the opposition themselves, given their grand plan to push a motion of no-confidence during the April 2011 sitting of parliament where the final score will be 26-21 in our favor. ”