Tonga’s new Cabinet Ministers greeted their senior officials and staff members when they first met them in their various offices this morning.
Deputy Prime Minister, Sēmisi Sika, Dr Saia Piukala and MP Mo’ale Fīnau joined the new Minister of Labour Dr Tu’i Uata in a meeting at the Labour and Commerce office.
They also joined new Internal Affairs minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu in her first meeting with her staff in her office.
Labour and Commerce CEO, Edgar Cocker has confirmed to Kaniva News he and his staff met their new Minister Dr. Tu’i Uata this morning.
It is understood other cabinet ministers held meeting with their staff this morning.
Senior official ‘Ofa Finau from Prime Minister’s office also attended the meetings.
A staff at the Ministry of Labour and Commerce, Fulila Tangata’iloa, shared photos of the meeting she took during the meeting with Kaniva News.
Some photos of the meeting at the Internal Affairs had been uploaded to Facebook.
King Tupou VI has appointed the new government of Tonga with effect from Friday, 5 January, 2018.
The letters of appointment were delivered by the palace office to the Prime Minister and all his proposed new cabinet ministers over the weekend, a reliable source said.
The appointment was made after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submitted his cabinet lineup to the king on Thursday.
It is understood the king was expected to have an audience with the Prime Minister sometime soon.
The Prime Minister’s office is expected to officially announce the new cabinet positions this week.
Pōhiva, was appointed Prime Minister last week accepting reaffirmation to govern from the king after His Majesty dissolved Parliament in August 2017.
Pōhiva, who won a landslide 14 of the 17 people’s parliamentary seats in a snap election in November following the dissolution, has promised to lead a “king, nobility and people’s government” dedicated to social justice over the next four years.
Photo source Kaniva News