Enhance watchdog role

Parliamentary committees enable proper preparation before issues are debated in the House. The committees facilitate detailed scrutiny, expert consultation, and efficient processing of a matter for discussion on the floor of the House.

As members are often picked for their expertise, experience, or knowledge in specific areas, these watchdogs ensure that policies are comprehensively vetted.

Committees review and expose flaws that could easily have been missed during the main debate. Their hearings provide a platform for citizens, civil society, and other stakeholders to influence law-making. This is in compliance with the constitutional requirement for public participation to get the people involved in making decisions on matters that affect them.

The committees also regularly call upon academics, industry experts, and government officials to provide technical information. It is, therefore, disappointing that the committees of the 13th Parliament are sleeping on the job. A new report shows that the Administration and Internal Security Committee had not responded to 26 issues as the lawmakers began their two-month recess last week.

Key National Assembly committees have come under scrutiny for failing to push Cabinet Secretaries to respond to pressing issues raised by lawmakers on the people’s behalf. The Administration and Internal Security and Transport and Infrastructure committees top a list of 19 that have failed to provide responses to issues raised by the MPs.

MPs and senators serving on the committees receive special allowances. Should they fail to deliver, they become a costly burden on the taxpayer. Ineffective watchdog committees undermine Parliament’s oversight role, erode accountability, and abet Executive impunity.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.