Special sitting of parliament planned to discuss quake bill

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By LUKE KAMA
PARLIAMENT is expected to convene an emergency session next week to debate issues relating to the recent earthquake.
Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa, pictured, said the exact time and date would be decided by the National Executive Council today.
“For any emergency or urgent sitting to convene, it will have to be gazetted and called by the Governor-General and not the Speaker of Parliament,” he said.
“The Governor-General will issue a gazettal notice for an emergency or urgent sitting based on the decision and advice from the National Executive Council.
“That’s the process.
“I’m aware that NEC will have their meeting (today) so hopefully they will make a decision on that.”
He said the Speaker was aware of the announcement by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for an urgent Parliament sitting to address certain issues relating to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake which struck parts of the Highlands on Feb 26.
After the earthquake, O’Neill announced the formation of an emergency disaster restoration team and the establishment of a restoration authority bill to be tabled in an emergency session of Parliament.
The Government also declared a state of emergency in the four provinces worst hit by the earthquake and allocated K450million for relief operations and restoration of services.
The K450 million is to cover disaster relief, service restoration and the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure.