By Eva Kuson - Monday 15th August 2011

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) has yet again, been postponed to Tuesday 16^th of August 2011, due to unavailability of all information ordered to be presented before the CoI. Last Wednesday, the Commissioners were advised by the Council Assisting, Mr Ketan, that all information will be collected by today (Monday 15^th August 2011) but this has not been forthcoming resulting in the postponement.

Council Assisting, Mr Ketan, assured the Commissioners that there will be an opening preliminary hearing tomorrow Tuesday 16^th that will cover all Terms of References (ToR) of Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in particular reference to, (a) determining the legal authority for the issuance of SABL and (b) determine the procedure for the issuance of SABL in accordance with the legal authority.

The Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) have so far been supportive and corporative however there are files yet to be assembled. There have been only 20 files gathered so far and Commissioners are not impressed with the progress as the time given for the preliminary collation of data and files from respective responsible government departments, was 28^th of July 2011.  To date only 30 per cent of the files have been made available before the CoI.

Senior officers of the DLPP were present at the hearing, including Acting Secretary Romily Kila-Pat, who gave assurances that their departmental officers are hard at work to have all 72 (or more) SABLs files available before the CoI. Commissioner Jerewai in his remark urged the council assisting and members of the Council to fast track their information gathering. He further advised the DLPP members and Deputy Secretary that should the enquiry be met with difficulties obtaining the SABLs the commission will look at taking drastic measures against the DLPP as it is the main department agency that deals with SABL. Mr Ketan stated that he will meet with Deputy Secretary for DLPP and his senior officers after the hearing to discuss processes of obtaining the files immediately before the hearing tomorrow.

Public Notice from the CoI into SABL, which included a schedule of the SABL issued so far, has been published in the two dailies. The CoI has also publicly called for all interested person (s) who have information regarding any of the listed SABLs to present evidence before the CoI. It is noted that all information presented before the CoI is to be made upon oath. The CoI advises also that other information may be presented to it by way of written submission lodged with the CoI secretariat and will direct person(s) who lodged submissions to appear before the inquiry to verify their submissions. A further schedule of the hearing will be published in the dailies after the 26^th of August of all SABLs under investigation.

*The writer is a AN special correspondent for the duration of the CoI*