Speaker’s Bunge committee selection in order-official
THE formation of Parliamentary standing committees which met opposition protests has been done in accordance with Parliamentary Standing Orders, it has been clarified.
The clarification comes amidst
uncertainty surrounding parliamentary business here as the opposition
boycotted taking part in the committees’ meeting held to elect
chairpersons and deputy chairpersons.
The Parliament’s Head of Information,
Education and Communication Unit, Mr Owen Mwandumbya, told the ‘Daily
News’ yesterday that the Speaker of the National Assembly is guided by
Standing Orders when forming committees and not otherwise. The
Opposition Camp earlier came up in arms, vehemently opposing the
formation of committees, citing flaws.
The results of the committees’ election
released yesterday indicated that the Public Accounts (PAC) and Local
Authorities Accounts (LAAC) got its deputies while the Industry, Trade
and Environment committee failed to get its chairperson and deputy.
Mr Owen pointed out that the opposition
did not submit the names of their MPs to vie for committee leadership as
required by Parliamentary Standing Orders. “PAC and LAAC will have
their chairpersons as soon as the opposition submits names of their MPs
vying for the positions,” he said.
According to Section 116 (11) of
Parliament’s Standing Orders, parliamentary oversight committees are
supposed to be chaired by opposition MPs.
Though opposition faulted the committee
formation, Mr Owen defended the move, saying that the Speaker, according
to Standing Orders, is not obliged to consult anyone in the course of
putting together committees.
Mr Owen noted that Standing Orders give
the Speaker authority to select MPs from all parties. He cited Section
116 (5) which outlines four criteria to be considered by the Speaker
when picking committee members.
These involve the number of
parliamentary committees, ratio of MPs, wishes of lawmakers and the need
for committee to have MPs with relevant expertise.
According to results released yesterday,
Mwibara MP Kange Lugola and Aeshi Hilary (Sumbawanga Urban) both from
the ruling CCM were elected LAAC and PAC deputy chairpersons
respectively. MPs elected Hawa Ghasia to lead the Budget Committee and
Josephat Kandege to be her deputy while the committee on HIV/AIDS will
be chaired by Hasna Mwilima as chairperson and John Kanyasu will be the
deputy chairperson.
Mr Andrew Chenge was elected to chair
the Subsidiary legislations Committee while William Ngeleja was picked
the committee’s deputy chairman.
Richard Ndasa was elected Public
Investment Committee chairperson while Lolecia Bukwimba was picked
deputy. Mohamed Mchengerwa was elected the Constitution and Legal
Affairs Committee chairperson and Najima Murtaza Giga was picked deputy
chairperson. The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security committee will be
led by Adadi Rajabu as chairperson and will be assisted by Masoud
Khamis as deputy.
Mr Jasson Rweikiza was elected
Administration and Local Government chairperson while Pudensiana
Kikwembe was picked deputy chairperson. The Social Services Committee
will be chaired by Peter Serukamba.
He will be assisted by Raphael Chegeni.
The Agriculture, Livestock and Water committee fell under Mary Nagu as
chairperson and will be assisted by Christine Ishengoma.
The Infrastructure Committee will be led
by Norman Sigara and assisted by Moshi Kakoso while the Energy and
Minerals committee will be under Martha Mlata and Ussi Pondeza. The
Rights, Ethics and Privileges committee will be led by George Mkuchika.
He will be assisted by Almas Maige.
