At the end of its special sitting on Wednesday, the Senate as the Upper House passed the National Reforms Authority (NRA) Bill, 2019 with amendments after its second and third reading.
The Bill with 22 Clauses saw the House make amendments to Clauses six to 10
The Bill aims to establish the NRA as a successor of the National Dialogue Planning Committee (NDPC) that was established under and regulated by the National Reforms Dialogue Act, 2018. It proposes that the Authority operates independently of control or direction of any person or authority with a view to ensure transparency, the rule of law and involvement of the entire nation through its multi sectors. The Authority is only accountable to the Parliament according to the Bill.
The primary objective of the establishment of the Authority is to empower it to coordinate, oversee and strategically lead in the implementation of the resolutions and decisions of the Second Plenary which is the concluding session of the Multi-Stakeholders National dialogue on national reforms.
Addressing senators, the acting Minister of Law, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Mokhele Moletsane expressed his amazement to the love of God for Lesotho, saying he is emotionally touched by how God has granted Lesotho an opportunity to reform herself through the Bill to soon be enacted.
“Our friends in the SADC continually deploy missions to help us, and in all these, the African Union and the European Union had recommended reforms,” he said, noting that during the 2017 general election period, politicians even signed a pledge on reforms irrespective of who would be in power.
Mr. Moletsane therefore thanked the House for its understanding, commitment and guidance it provided during the discussion of the Bill.
Also speaking, the Chief Whip in the College of Chiefs, Chief Khoabane Theko also thanked senators for  their inputs during the discussion of the Bill intended to be used in establishing NRA, expressing hope that those who will commit to implementing the enacted Bill will have no reverse gear.
The Senate adjourned its special meeting to finish its winter break on Wednesday until September 10, 2019.
Source: LENA 29/08/2019