Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has instructed his officials in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to follow up on outstanding Bills siting in the Legislative calendar dating back to 2019.
He has called on the Permanent Secretaries as accounting officers of the government in residence to ‘step-up.’
Prime Minister Sogavare announced this while responding to the Speech from The Throne in Parliament yesterday.
“I expect these Bills to come to Cabinet and tabled in Parliament in this 6th meeting. I expect nothing less,” Prime Minister Sogavare punctuated.
Calling on the Permanent Secretaries to step-up, the Prime Minister said, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement expects these Bills to come to Cabinet by June.
“Permanent Secretaries as the responsible and accounting officers of the government in residence must step-up.”
Prime Minister Sogavare however pointed out, that had it not been for COVID-19 and the November Riots, the government would not look too kindly on the lack of progress of its legislative program.
The Prime Minister further explained that Legislations affect the lives of ordinary Solomon Islanders and so as a responsible government… “we must be sure that any legislation tabled in Parliament goes through a rigorous process of scrutiny and analysis. There are quality control mechanisms that are in place to ensure this is achieved.”
He stated, as a responsible Government, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement will continue to be accountable to the public on the floor of Parliament.
Along with the Electoral Act 2018 amendment and the Special Zone Bill, other Bills expected before Parliament in this meeting are;
Constituency Development Fund (Amendment) Bill;
Public Health Emergency Bill;
Mineral Resource Bill 2023;
Electricity (Amendment) Bill;
Petroleum (Amendment) Bill.
Education Bill;
Forestry Bill;
Building Code Bill;
Environment Bill;
Pacific Games 2023 (Amendment) Bill
Value Added Tax Bill.
Source: Press Release, Prime Minister Press Secretary