Honiara City mayor voted out through no confidence motion yesterday

By Joy Basi

The Honiara City Council Mayor, Alfred Maetia has been ousted in a no confidence motion.

In a special session of a full council meeting yesterday, Mr Maetia was voted out 7-5in favour of the opposing group.

The Member for Ngossi ward, Andrew Mua moved the motion amidst allegations against Mr Maetia "set since February 2008".

Mr Mua said that the Council is now waiting on the Ministry of Home Affairs to set a date for vote of a new city mayor.

He denied that the motion was due to "mix feelings against him (Mr Maetia) due to ethnicity" as alleged by the outgoing City Mayor.

Mr Mua stressed that as the City Mayor overseeing the administration of the Council, "transparency and accountability is very important".

Mr Maetia was not able to comment on his defeat but it is understood that Mr Maetia will be caretaker City Mayor until an election votes for his successor.

Source: Solomon Times