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Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 16:14:37
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DailyNews Editorial: Is the National Assembly a Rubber Stamp Institution?
Friday, December 03, 2010
The National Assembly of the Gambia has a lot of questions to answer as far as the execution of their duties is concerned, one of which is: Is the national assembly a rubber stamp institution?
One may want to challenge Gambians for not attending the sittings of the assembly but it is also necessary to fairly ask what the assembly is doing in the best interest of the country. As an institution, it should be respected, but having realized that any bill can come to the assembly to be passed without thorough scrutiny should be sickening to all enlightened citizens.
Many may blame it on the numerical strength of the ruling party in the august body. But we are saying that if the interest of the country is given priority the domination of a particular party should not bar members from contributing during debates to make their positions known, even challenge and scrutinize bills and not just to pass them as they are brought.
We are all convinced that the entire country cannot sit in one gathering at a time to discuss about issues in our interest and for our welfare. This is the reason why we have elected representatives to the house.
The recent ridiculous scenario was created when members like Sidia Jatta were not in possession of a copy of the 2010 estimate for scrutiny and analysis during the debate. Imagine a document as relevant as the estimate of revenue and expenditure which should not just be in the hands of a chosen few but in a real sense should be given to all members of the assembly so that they could be au fait with contents for constructive debate.
The rationale behind the act of this lack of proportionate distribution of the estimate is not made known but thanks to the intervention of the speaker for an adjournment so that it could be made available to others to debate on seriously and intervention in relevant points.
Assembly members should be free people. It is only free representatives who can lead their people to liberty. That is the beauty of the creation of room for constructive debate in the assembly. We have members who only like taking partisan lines, while some seem to succumb to patronage, and others are not different from mere praise singer.
In the debate session of the 2010 estimate, we expect all assembly members to express their views, as they are the ears and eyes of the constituencies they represent. The creation of a rubber stamp status for the national assembly will be the greatest injustice done to the electorates of the Gambia.
The national assembly should not be a rubber stamp institution that will allow being on its knees for reasons which are in contravention with the real definition and functions of assembly in our constitution.
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 16:19:25
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National Assembly Opens Debate on 2011 Estimate
By Baboucarr Ceesay
Friday, December 03, 2010
The National Assembly has on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 opened debate on the draft estimates of revenue and expenditure with development expenditure of the government of The Republic of The Gambia, 2010 in the budget session during their fourth meeting in the 2010 legislative session.
Hon. Sidia Jatta, National Assembly member for Wuli West in his contribution challenged the assembly for not providing some of the deputies with copies of the draft estimate for thorough analysis and scrutiny.
Sidia cited section 70(3) of the National Assembly Standing Order to buttress his argument.
Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the majority leader and member for Serrekunda East stood up to disqualify section 70(3) of the Standing Order as reference in connection with the need to serve members with the draft estimate. He said that the said section made no indication that all members should be served with the copy of the draft estimate during debate session. He said the member for Wuli West has not used the appropriate section to defend his argument.
Sidia again stood up and stated that it has been a tradition that they are always given copies of the draft estimate, why not this session. "It is a requirement that we should have a copy. How can I adequately analyze the estimate without a copy in my possession in the debate session?" he quizzed.
The member for Kiang Central Babanding K.K. Daffeh said municipalities should take care of the social services from the tax payers’ money. He said that the estimate did mention the maintenance of buildings but it is contradictory when you visit some of the government buildings. He said most of the hospital buildings have leaking roofs infested with birds which could have been avoided if serious maintenance works were carried out.
Babanding questioned: "Where are the monies of the tax payers going to?" Daffeh said that it is unfair to have ministers allocated amounts of up to D100, 000 for mobile phones which is more than the annual salaries of their employees.
He said that the quality of education in the country is at stake which should also be thoroughly looked into.
The minority leader and member for Kiang West, Momodou Sanneh described the draft estimate of revenue and expenditure as the life of The Gambian people. He expressed his dismay at the absence of other ministers whom he said should be present so that they could follow the debates and respond to questions and make clarifications on issues related to their ministries. That the minister of finance with his already known work load cannot be here to be defending all the ministries covered by the estimate.
He said there should be a budget headline for the purchase of vehicles given to ministries and other departments.
Hon. Sanneh said despite Gambia being a tax-based economy there should be adequate budget allocated to facilitate the work of National Council for Civic Education considering the need for Gambians to know their constitutional rights.
The member for Basse Sellu Bah warned against The Gambia’s reliance on grants, stating that they should not put all their eggs in one basket. He said that they should be mindful of the reoccurrence of the past experience that The Gambia has gone through. Sellu urged for the proper implementation of the estimate.
The member for Jokadou, Kebba Gaye said the agricultural development of the country should be boosted as most of the livestock traders largely depend on Senegal, Mali and Mauritania for rams during the Tobaski (Eid ul Adha) feast.
The member for Wuli East, Bekai Camara lamented the deplorable condition of roads in Wuli. He called government’s attention for drastic action to the road condition which has caused an unwarranted ceasing of businesses in the area. He added that if the government did not intervene next year it is likely to be worse.
The newly nominated member Hon Fatou Mbye said that the major tertiary institution GTTI is dominated by non Gambian technicians which is not sustainable. She urged the assembly to look into the situation of tertiary and higher education.
As the debate between Sidia and Tombong Jatta continued the speaker intervened and adjourned the session till Thursday so as to make the estimate available to all members for debate.
Meanwhile, a minute silence was observed in memory of the late Alhagie Colley when Fabakary Tombong Jatta moved a motion to honour the man with a minute’s silence seconded by Sidia Jatta who described Colley as one who used to stay with them in the business of the assembly up to mid night.
Source: DailyNews |
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