HON. GODFREY THOMA APPOINTED AS SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

Today Parliament resumed at 10:00am this morning and the Clerk of Parliament as the Chair of Parliament in the absence of the Speaker and the unwillingness of the Deputy Speaker to taking up the chair, convened parliament.

The Clerk as Chairperson for the sitting started off, by putting before the members of parliament a call for nomination of the Speaker.  Two nominations were made one by the Hon. Marcus Stephen M.P member for Ewa/Anetan and the Hon. Milton Dube M.P member for Aiwo.

Mr. Stephen nominated the Hon. Godfrey Thoma M.P member for Aiwo and Mr. Dube, nominated the Hon. Baron Waqa member for Boe. Both nominees accepted the nominations and a secret ballot took place. Few minutes later, the Clerk announced the results and they were, Mr. Thoma 10 and Mr. Waqa 8.

Thus, Mr. Thoma was escorted to his seat by the nominator and the seconder, then as Speaker, Mr. Thoma started off his day by thanking his supporters for entrusting him to take up office of the Speaker and then adjourned parliament till tomorrow at 10:00am.