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{
    "id": 74864,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/74864/?format=api",
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    "content": "FURTHER SITTING OF THE HOUSE Hon. Members, as you are aware, the following two reports have been tabled this afternoon. One, the Report of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the approval of persons nominated for appointment to the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution and, two, the Report of the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade on the approval of persons nominated for appointment to the Commission on Revenue Allocation. Notices of Motions have been given for approval in respect of the two reports. Hon. Members, as you are no doubt aware, the two reports have immense constitutional significance as they relate to the constitution of two Constitutional commissions, namely the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution and the Commission on Revenue Allocation. These commissions are pivotal to the process of implementation of the new Constitution. In recognition of the central role to be played by these two commissions, the Constitution at Section 25 (1) of the Sixth Schedule stipulates:- “The Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution and the Commission on Revenue Allocation shall be constituted within ninety days after the effective date.” Hon. Members, a reading of Section 25 (1) of the Sixth Schedule together with Article 259 (5) (a) of the Constitution indicate that the 90-day period lapses today, the 25th of November, 2010. By these provisions, the period of time will be computed as follows: Four days in the month of August, 2010; 30 days in the month of September, 2010; 31 days in the month of October, 2010 and 25 days in the month of November, making a total of 90 days, which end today. The net effect of this is that the matter of the constitution of the two commissions requires to be disposed of by this House by the end of this day in order to ensure that the House discharges its obligations within the Constitutional timelines. Hon. Members, under the circumstances, it has become necessary for me to issue directions concerning the conduct of Business for the day as regards the consideration of the two Departmental Committees. Standing Order No. 20 (1) provides for the hours of meeting of the House as 9.00 a.m. on Wednesday and 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Standing Orders, in recognition of the fact that the nature of the business of the House may at times require additional Sittings outside of normal sitting time, allow the Speaker to direct that more than one Sitting be held on the same day. Hon. Members, in view of the constitutional timeline set for the constitution of the Commission for implementation of the Constitution and the Commission on Revenue Allocation, and in exercise of the powers conferred by Standing Order No.20(1), I direct as follows as regards the transaction of the business of the House today: One, that the House will have another Sitting today commencing at 7.00 p.m. Two, that the purpose of that Sitting shall primarily be to consider the following reports: (a) The Report of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the approval of persons nominated for appointment to the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution; and,"
}