CIOC threatens to bypass Cabinet in establishing Bills

Written By:Kendagor Obadiah,    Posted: Wed, Jul 20, 2011

CIOC Chair Abdikadir Mohammed said Parliament was derailing the implementation of the Constitution by being sluggish in debating crucial Bills The Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) has threatened to by-pass key institutions tasked with the implementation of the new Constitution if they fail to put in place necessary laws for the implementation in due time. This warning came even as the relevant bodies engaged in a blame game at a meeting convened today to tackle the looming crisis. The bills in question are required to be in place by 27th August this year. Bodies mandated to spearhead the implementation of the new constitution appeared before the Abdikadir Mohammed-led commission to explain why many of necessary bills for the implementation process are yet to be passed. But the forum was turned into a blame game arena with each institution accusing the other of either sabotage or laxity. The Executive and the state law office was at the receiving end but Attorney General Amos Wako would not back down, accusing the CIC chairman of acting in ignorance of procedures. With the 27th August deadline for passage of crucial implementation bills fast approaching, Abdikadir Mohammed hinted at a possibility of by-passing the CIC, Cabinet, the state law office, and other institutions deemed to be impediments. The government printer is also on the spot for delay in publishing ready bills for debate in parliament. The printer has been summoned to appear before the CIOC to show cause. Some of the pending bills awaiting cabinet approval include: National Police Service Commission Bill 2010, The Independent Policing Oversight Bill 2010, The Ombudsman Commission bill 2011, The independent ethics and anti-corruption commission bill 2011. The commission on revenue allocation bill 2011. The salaries and remuneration bill is back to parliament for debate. The Private Security Industrial Bill, the National Coroners Service Bill and the National Security Council Bill are either on hold or undergoing consultations.