PARLIAMENT has withdrawn the Timber Development and Marketing Authority Bill 2010 yesterday ending further discussion over the bill.
The Bills and Legislative Committee drew the attention of Attorney General Gabriel Suri when a member said the Committee has the power to withdraw the bill from entering into Parliament.
This came when the Minister of Forestry informed the Committee on 4 March 2010 that Cabinet decided to withdraw the Bill due to lack of consultation.
The minute was given to the Committee before its second hearing on 5 March 2005.
However, Speaker of Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea said this in itself is not sufficient to constitute a withdrawal of any bill for that matter.
He said in this particular instance, the only way for the Government to withdraw the Bill while it is being reviewed by the Committee is by way of a motion and passed seeking such withdrawal.
“As Parliament was not sitting on 8 March 2010, it was not possible for such a resolution,” he said.
“Notice of an intention to withdraw, however, has been given but this will only take effect once the Committee has reported to Parliament.
“Reporting formally brings an end to a review of a bill,” he said.
The objects and reasons are threefold, namely:
(a) to establish an authority for the purpose of timber development and marketing;
(b) to facilitate, promote and encourage down-stream processing of timber by communities;
(c) to ensure that communities get maximum benefit from their timber resources.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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