The acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica response was that there was an intention to hold elections; although no timeframe was available from the relevant ministry.

The appointment of Jacob Karutake was made under section 6(C)(4) of the Banaban Settlement Act 1970 that states: Decisions of the Administrator have been controversial.

In August 2023, the Administrator signed an agreement with an Australian company Centrex to engage in exploration activities on Banaba, as a first step to determine whether the remaining phosphate deposits could be mined.

[9] Following opposition of the traditional owners to the grant of permission to explore the feasibility of mining, the Administrator put the agreement “on hold”.

[10] A second controversy arise in January 2024, when the Administrator published a policy statement stating that non-Banabans visiting Rabi must register with local police.