Discussion of NDC report continues after some lengthy debate

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Created on Tuesday, 18 September 2012 11:33

THE Whole House Committee last Wednesday approved a motion to continue debate on the Nuku’alofa Development Corporation’s report after a lengthy debate that lasted for three days.

10 MPs voted in favour of the motion defeating two other motions from the government and the Noble’s .

On Monday, the Hon. Justice Minister Clive Edwards put forward a motion to postpone discussing of the NDC report while an Investigation Committee is established to look into the causes of the Nuku’alofa 2006 riots.

Another motion put forward by ‘Eua Noble Representative Lord Nuku to refer the report to the Auditor General for his legal opinion on the legal aspect of the report.
“I am mainly concerned with the legality of the report given the transitional period from the old government to the current administration there were amendment to some legislations…And according to clause 20 of the Constitution should there was any changes to the law, no actions can be done to revert to the former’s rules and legislations,” explained Lord Nuku.

The former Works Minister also supported further delay of debate on the NDC report due to the conflicting nature of figures in the report as opposed to official figure provided by the Treasury.

Lord Nuku was also concerned about the right of those implied in the report for misappropriated of funds to respond to allegations.

He also queried the salary of those involved in the Special Parliamentary Committee on the reconstruction of Nuku’alofa.

Lord Nuku also had his reservation about the conflict of interest element of involving the Auditor General in the NDC Committee, which questions the independence of the committee’s work, since he is under the authority of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

The Finance Minister, Hon. Lisiate ‘Akolo also put forward another motion that was later withdrawn to refer the NDC report to the Public Accounts Standing Committee.

He proposed their task is to review the 33 key findings cited on pages 160-166 and excluding the four main recommendations.

Hon. ‘Akolo maintained he received a letter from the CCECC disputing the figures provided in the NDC report relating to the extension budget of the Royal Palace.

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