The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Anti-Corruption Committee met the Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group Dr Derek Sikua on Monday to discuss the Anti-Corruption Bill.
The mutual discussion held in the office of the Leader of the Parliamentary Group lasted an hour and was covered by the Solomon Star.
The CSOs’ Anti-Corruption Committee members who met with Dr Sikua included Dr Huddie Namo, Jennifer Wate, Lawrence Makili and Phylistus Fafoi.
Sikua acknowledged CSO for taking the effort to discuss with him the CSO’s desire to see the Bill tabled in parliament next week as indicated by the Prime Minister.
He said the Members of Parliament in the Independent group and Opposition strongly support the return of the Bill to parliament next week.
Dr Sikua said his office only has four members whilst the Opposition has seven and therefore cannot get the Bill through parliament without the support of government MPs.
He said government now has in its fold a total of 39 MPs which is more than the number required to pass the bill on the floor of parliament.
Dr Sikua said the Independent group and the Opposition would need at least the support of 20 government MPs to get the Bill through parliament.
On that note, he encouraged the CSOs and members of the public to continue push for the return of the Bill to Parliament next week and its passage, stressing that the level of corruption in the country continues to grow and something must be done to control it.
The Leader of the Independent Group said some government MPs may not be willing to vote for the Bill and therefore the Independent Group and Opposition in collaboration with the CSOs and all concerned Solomon Islanders must continue to work hard to win the hearts of unwilling government MPs to support the Bill.
Dr Sikua added that the Independent Group and the Opposition are demanding the government to return the Bill to parliament and the CSOs and all concerned Solomon Islanders must continue pushing for this agenda.
Dr Sikua was handed a copy of the CSOs petition to the Prime Minister to table the Bill and all MPs to support the Bill.
By AATAI JOHN
