THE Defence Force has been given the authority to exercise call-out duties during the state of emergency (SoE) in Oro province.
Parliament yesterday approved the emergency bill to deal with this, which was introduced by Minister for Inter Government Relations Job Pomat.
The House also approved another emergency bill giving powers to the controller to take charge in the flood-devastated province.
Mr Pomat said the Defence Froce bill authorised the military to provide assistance and help civil authorities in relief operations.
The bill was given an overwhelming support of 62-0 votes.
The General Powers Bill were voted 57-0 votes, giving the controller of the SoE to exercise his powers under the Act.
Under the Act, the controller’s powers included:
•Control the movement of persons, animals, vehicles, goods and other things;
•Evacuate persons from one part of the emergency area to another part of the emergency area or to place outside the emergency area; and
•Requisition animals, aircraft, vehicles, ships, machinery, installation, buildings