Nagriamel pledges strong support for Natuman government

Nagriamel will continue to provide firm backing for the current government of Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, so it holds on to power until the end of the term of the current Parliament of Vanuatu.

That is the pledge from the new Minister of Youth Development and Sports, John Lum, the Political Commission President of the Nagriamel political party, on accepting the appointment by the Prime Minister Tuesday in a cabinet reshuffle.

“As the two political parties that were at the forefront of the independence movement, Nagriamel will be there with your Vanua’aku Pati-led government until the term of this Parliament ends and after the election (2016 general election),” he assured Prime Minister Natuman.

Minister Lum, the Member of Parliament for Santo Rural Constituency, thanked the Prime Minister for his confidence in him and said he was proud to take over the leadership of the Ministry that is responsible for the development of the country’s young people.

He promised to continue the work left by his predecessor, Don Ken, the MP for Malekula.

In his comment before issuing Lum with his appointment letter, PM Natuman paid tribute to former Minister Ken for his contribution to the work that is taking place, especially at the Korman Stadium, for construction of new sports facilities in preparation for the 2017 Pacific Mini Games that Vanuatu will host. China is financing the construction work, and Natuman has praised former minister Don Ken for his constructive contribution in the different stages of the work to now that construction will soon start.

Affirming the comments by Minister Lum, Prime Minister Natuman acknowledged the role of the Nagriamel and the Vanua’aku Pati in the movement for the independence of the country and added that it is only fitting that the two natora (hardword) of the struggle should be working together at this time for the continued development of Vanuatu.

The Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement following the cabinet reshuffle that Prime Minister Joe Natuman had always remained committed to the original agreements signed about a year ago to form the present government.

But that he had made the reshuffle in response to a specific request from the party and the G13 group, headed by the National United Party President, Ham Lini.