Traditional Governance and Customs Bill withdrawn

The controversial “Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018” has been withdrawn on the floor of Parliament today.

Minister responsible-Commins Aston Mewa withdrew the bill in accordance with Parliamentary standing orders.

This followed calls for its withdrawal during the Second Reading.

The member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga Matthew Wale during the bill’s debate urged the Minister of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace to withdraw the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018.

He says the bill is defective in a number of fundamental policy areas because of the very limited consultations it was subjected to.

Mr Wale acknowledged the importance of the bill, but it has flawed in too many provisions.

“In its current form, the bill is flawed in too many provisions, especially in areas fundamental to custom.

“These flaws sir appear to be the result of the lack of a robust conceptual basis for the policy which in turn led to a shallow consultation process that was extremely limited in scope.

“Further the speed which was imposed on the production of this bill has resulted in limiting the scope of the consultation.”

SIBC Online understands, many indigenous Solomon Islanders have welcomed the withdrawal of the bill.

By: Gina Maka’a