In a special sitting of the Fono Ekepule this morning the member from Alofi North Hon. Va’aiga Tukuitoga was voted in as Acting Speaker.
The special sitting was firstly presided by Deputy Clerk of Assembly Mrs. Melissa Douglas, calling on nominations from the floor. Only one name was put forth.
Hon. Tukuitoga, a member of the Fono Ekepule of 23 years, was nominated by Common Roll member O’love Jacobsen and seconded by Talaititama Talaiti of Vaiea.
The appointment of the Acting Speaker today is necessary because Speaker Hima Douglas left the island on Monday last week with the Clerk to Assembly Cherie Morris Tafatu on official travel.
One of the first tasks of Acting Speaker Tukuitoga will be to swear in and sign the warrants of appointment for the Acting Premier and Acting Ministers over the coming days.
BCN News understands Minister of Finance Crossley Tatui will be Acting Premier when Premier Tagelagi departs the island this week.
Member from Toi Hon. Dion Taufitu will be the acting minister, responsible for the portfolios of Premier Tagelagi.
Hon. Tukuitoga was first elected to the Fono Ekepule in 1999 and is the first woman elected as a village representative and the fifth woman ever elected to the Niue Assembly.
The members of the Assembly today asked for another meeting to be held soon so that they can ask questions about the Covid-19 situation on the island which now stands at 10 active cases in isolation.
Meanwhile, the Air New Zealand flight arriving today just before 2pm will be bringing in more passengers who will not be required to quarantine in week two of quarantine-free travel (QFT).