‘House should set up Assurance Committee’

Chitipa North MP Nick Masebo on Thursday said there’s need to set up an assurance committee to follow up on promises Cabinet ministers make to parliamentarians.

He said this during question time when the House was discussing President Joyce Banda’s State of the Nation Address.

Masebo said it was high time Parliament had this committee because some ministers make false promises when answering MPs’ questions.

“It is sad that parliamentarians keep on asking the same questions during each meeting of the august House because responsible ministers do not help them. Therefore, this committee will be following up on such issues to ensure transparency and accountability,’’ he said.

Leader of the House Henry Phoya said government was aware of the matter. He said he saw no problem with Parliament forming such a committee.

“Honourable Masebo’s idea is good because our friends in other Commonwealth countries, among them Uganda, are doing the same and it is really playing an important role in the development of their countries,’’ he said.

Phoya also said the proposal was first made by Legal Affairs Committee of the House and that it was currently being considered.