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Hon Speaker Patteson Oti
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Yesterday marked the second milestone of the 11th Parliament of Solomon Islands with the election of the new Speaker to parliament and his Deputy and also the announcement of the new Clerk to Parliament, Mr. David Kusilifu on the first official session and sitting of the House for 2019.

The newly elected Speaker to parliament was elected to the prestige position of Speaker of the House after a secret ballot election in the chamber which resulted in a majority vote in favor of Mr. Patteson John Oti.

Outgoing Speaker to National Parliament Mr. Ajilon Jasper Nasiu congratulated Mr. Patteson John Oti on his appointment on the floor of parliament and thanked the members of parliament for their respect and cooperation during his term as the Speaker of the 10th House.

Mr. Patteson John Oti who hails from Nemba, Santa Cruz, Temotu Province was born on the 17th of January 1956 and is married with five children.

Mr. Patteson John Oti is no new face to the political scene and his experience and educational background speak volume of the wealth of his sure contribution as being the elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Solomon Islands.

Following the Speakers election, Parliament then proceeded to the Election of Deputy Speaker whereby the Clerk declared that since Hon Stanly Festus Sofu was the only candidate nominated, he is duly elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker.

Background information on the new Speaker of National Parliament:

Secondary and Tertiary Qualifications

1972 - 1977 – KGVI School, 0-level Secondary School Certificate, University of Cambridge

1978 - 1982 – USP, Fiji, Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Politics and Public Administration

1984 – Diplomatic Training, Canberra, Australia

1989 – Certificate in Diplomacy, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston, USA Public Service Career:

1983 – 1985 - Desk Officer/Pacific Section – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1985 – 1986 - Planning Officer, Provincial Development Unit (PDU) – Ministry of Economic Planning

1987 – 1989 - Principal Desk Officer – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1990 - Acting Deputy Secretary – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1991 - 1993 Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Provincial Government

1994 - Political Analyst – Office of the Prime Minister

1995 – 1997- Secretary to the Leader of Opposition Parliamentary Service

1997 – 2010 - MP for Temotu Nende, Temotu Province Minister

1997 – 2000 - Minister for Foreign Affairs

2004 – 2005 - Minister for Communication, Aviation & Meteorology

2006 – 2007 - Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade & Immigration Other Parliamentary Appointments

2002 – 2003 Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition

2002 – 2003 Chairman Public Accounts Committee

2005 Deputy Speaker of Parliament 2009 Chairman, Special Select Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities

2009 – 2010 Chairman – Parliamentary House Committee Non – Ministerial/Parliamentary Appointments

2005 – 2006 Chairman – National Trade Facilitation Committee – Ministry of Commerce, Employment & Industry

2008 – 2010 Chairman – Environment Advisory Committee – Ministry of Environment Diplomatic Service

2010 – 2012 Solomon Islands Special Envoy to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)

2012 – 2018 High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji and non-resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu

Parliament will resume on the 4th of June, 2019.