AN application to strike out a case filed by the Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament, Peter Kenilorea Jr challenging the appointments of more than two public officers into the Solomon Islands Water Authority Board by the Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia is set to be head on March 7.
The matter went before the High Court on Tuesday, when the date for the hearing of the arguments on the case was set.
The Attorney General (AG) Chambers seeks to strike out the case, arguing that MP Kenilorea Jr lacks the legal standing to take the matter to court.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer will hear the arguments on the matter and give the verdict.
If he rules in favour of MP Kenilorea, the court will proceed to hear the case. If he rules otherwise, the case will likely be dismissed.
Kenilorea’s case seeks a declaratory relief from the courts regarding Minister Tovosia’s actions in appointing more than two public officers as members of the SIWA Board.
He argues that Minister Tovosia breached the law by making these appointments, which comprise five public officers out of the seven-member board.
Minister Tovosia, on the other hand, claims that he exercised his powers under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act in appointing the SIWA Board as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Act, and that the appointment was made within the boundaries of the law.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
