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Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Jim Marurai is promising the Cook Islands people political stability, growing prosperity and transparent governance during his two year term of office.
“I know the past few weeks of political uncertainty have been difficult for many of our people and I hope that I can restore the confidence of our people by saying that the coalition government is determined to deliver stability, good transparent governance and the continued growth of our economy,” says Marurai.
His government is determined to improve on the international image of the Cook Islands and reassure the outside world that the country is moving forward, Marurai says.
And he is urging Cook Islanders place the welfare of the country and people first and to come together as one nation, working towards a common goal that will benefit everyone.
“We need to put the experiences of the past weeks behind us, say to ourselves ‘let’s move ahead’ and do just that together as a people and nation.”
Shortly after being voted in by Parliament as prime minister, Jim Marurai 57, was formally sworn-in by the Queen’s Representative as the eighth prime minister of the Cook Islands. He is the first Mangaian to lead the Cook Islands.
After publicly declaring his dissatisfaction with the delivery of education and the level of secrecy in government, Marurai stood in a Oneroa by-election in 1997. His resounding victory was perhaps indicative of things to come – he won again in the 1999 general elections and was the only candidate to stand unopposed in the recent September elections.
A University of Otago graduate in education, Marurai is respected amongst his political peers and constituents for his integrity, common sense and composure under pressure.
“I have five people in the new Cabinet who comprise a strong team, committed to ensuring our country develops with the outmost regard for our people and environment.”
Marurai says he respects each of his Cabinet ministers for their experience and variety of talents.
“It helps make the Cabinet diverse and able to better deal with the many different issues, both big and small.” |
