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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Sep 2009 : 02:57:52
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Members of The National Assembly and other key stakeholders drawn from various sectors of the country last Friday scrutinized the 2009-2014 strategic development and investment plan of the Assembly at a day-long validation seminar held at the Seaview Garden Hotel in Kololi.
Developed by the National Assembly and the United Nation Development Progranme-Gambia office, the five-year document entails both the human resource development of the Assembly’s service staff; the institutional strengthening of both the oversight and law-making structures, practices and processes of parliament; the training and strengthening of committees of parliament; the provision of technical and logistic support and training for NAMs and staff on information, communication and technology, as well as the telecasting and web casting of National Assembly proceedings, amongst others.
Officially declaring the seminar open, the speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Elizabeth Renner, said given the fact that the country’s legislature loses nothing less than 20% of its membership during each five-year legislative term, continuous training for NAMs has therefore become a must as almost all new comers to Assembly have little or no knowledge of parliamentary procedures and are scarcely equipped for the daunting tasks they have to face as legislators. This, she said has necessitated the dire need to put in place a mechanism that ensures capacity development as an on-going enterprise for the National Assembly.
The National Assembly of The Gambia, like any other national parliament, she indicated has general and specific limitations. The general limitations, according to her are the enabling statutory or legal mandate and environ, under which they exist and co-exist with other arms of government. “For instance, the institution of parliament has no control over who becomes a member, thus the diverse quality, composition, expertise and background of honourable members all over the world poses both challenges and opportunities, particularly at the inception of each parliament, following an election. The National Assembly of The Gambia is no exception to this phenomenon,” she stated.
According to Speaker Renner, this is even more daunting and complex in The Gambia, indicating that our recent experiences showed a turn over of trained members. She indicated that as high as 70% of the members were not returned to Assembly at the last election in January 2007. The country’s lawmaking institution, according to her has witnessed unprecedented expansion, in terms of both constituency representations from 35 members in the First Republic to 53 members as it stands now. The structure, composition and mandate of the Assembly, she added has since been much more pro-active and gender responsive as evidenced by the calibre of elected and nominated women now in parliament, and in particular the face and mantle of leadership of parliament has for the third time in succession been a woman, thanks to the all inclusive leadership of President Jammeh.
“Building capacity in the supreme law-making organ of governance and the centre or power-house of lawful oversight is a worthwhile enterprise and necessary in all democracies. The Gambia is no exception and is posed to be a pace setter for many other sovereign states especially in our sub-region to follow,” she remarked. The speaker noted that for successful implementation of this strategic development and investment plan and for it to have a meaningful impact not only on honourable members, but on the citizens, much more support is needed. At this juncture, she hailed the UNDP, the embassies of United States, the Republic of China on Taiwan respectively and the government of the United Kingdom for the support to the Assembly in recent past.
For her part, Sira Ndow of the UNDP-Gambia office said the initiative is part of UNDP’s assistance programme of the National Assembly. For many years, she said, the UNDP has been supporting the National Assembly in terms of capacity to enable it to function better and deliver its core task as legislature. She noted that this is the second project that they will be doing with the National Assembly and that at UNDP it is always an honour to work with the legislature to enable it deliver its core functions.
Charles Camara, who represented the secretary general and head of Civil Service, said the Office of The President is proud to be associated with the legislative arm of the government. Camara thanked the UNDP for this support to the National Assembly that will go a long way in enhancing its capacity. The Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East, Honourable Fabakary Tombong Jatta, who moderated the opening ceremony, said the document is developed within the framework of the UNDP project geared towards ensuring an independent and effective legislature.
Author: by Hatab Fadera
Source:http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/lawmakers-others-scrutinize-assemblys-5-year-strategic-plan
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I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
Edited by - Moe on 29 Sep 2009 03:00:38 |
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sss
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2009 : 05:11:28
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| how long are they going to keep training while everything fall apart.it is so interesting in the Gambia with endless workshops with the lackluster results.cheer up them and wave up your certificates.The national assembly will be a lot effective if they were allow to speak local languages but the professor will not want that. |
THE MESSENGER OF GOD(peace and blessing be always upon him)SAID,"WHOEVER WALKS WITH A TYRANT IN SUPPORT OF HIM,WHILE AWARE OF HIS TYRANNY,HAS ABANDONED ISLAM."At-Tabarani
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