Nauru cabinet sworn in

Nauru's new government was on Friday sworn in by the Chief Justice Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi.

David Adeang retains the justice and finance portfolios, while the one woman in cabinet, Charmaine Scotty, retains education.

The other ministers are Aaron Cook, Valdon Dowiyogo and Shadlog Bernicke.

In his opening address President Waqa thanked God for “His hand and guidance in giving my Government another term in office to deliver the services that is good and prosperous to the people of Nauru.”

“In this second term of my Government, it is obvious that we have been given a clear mandate from the people to continue the good work that we started three years ago.

“Let us put outside our differences and let us work together to advance Nauru forward.

“As your President, I would like to personally extend an olive branch to all those who worked against me and my Government in the past.  I know that it will not be easy for some but let bygones be bygones, and I pledge that I will work with those who chose to work with me and my Government,” President Waqa said.

Minister Adeang spoke on behalf of the cabinet ministers highlighting the rare privilege of having served in a single government for a full three year term.

“We had the enviable privilege also of governing Nauru under a rapidly growing economy.

“And over the weekend our people recognised and acknowledged the significant improvements we as a government made to their livelihoods and to their lifestyles by not just renewing our mandate to govern but by strengthening that mandate.

“Our people have high expectations of our government and we as cabinet and the government should not shy from the responsibility of leading them to a brighter future,” Minister Adeang said.

Cabinet ministers and their portfolios are as follows:

President Baron Waqa: Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister for Public Service, Foreign Affairs & Trade, Nauru Police Force, National Emergency Services, Commerce, Industry and Environment, Climate Change.

David Adeang: Minister Assisting the President, Finance and Sustainable Development, Justice, Multicultural Affairs, Eigigu Holdings Corporation, Nauru Air Corporation.

Valdon Dowiyogo: Minister for Health, Transport, Sports, Nauru Port Authority, Fisheries.

Aaron Cook: Minister for Ronphos, Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation, Nauru Utilities Corporation.

Charmaine Scotty: Minister for Education, Home Affairs, Land Management.

Shadlog Bernicke: Minister for Telecommunications & Media, Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust.

The 19 members of the Twenty-Second parliament were sworn in earlier this week on Wednesday 13 July at parliament house. CJ Madraiwiwi presided over the oath ceremony.