NAMs Up to Promote Accountability and Transparency in Public Sector

• Posted by Modou S. Joof on April 5, 2010 at 9:33pm
• View Modou S. Joof's blog

Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) National Assembly Members (NAMs) drawn from the Public Account Committee and Public Enterprise Committee (PAC-PEC) recently benefited from a three-day capacity building programme on how to scrutinize and hold public enterprises accountable on the used of government funds and resource. 

The programme, which is geared toward bringing about accountability in the Public Service Sector, was organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with DFIF and PKF from the 22^nd to 24^th March, 2010 in Banjul. 

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth Renner said that the Second Republic ushered in a new dispensation, which had and continue to have as its priorities, Accountability, Transparency,
Probity and Zero Tolerance of Corruption and Waste of Public Resources. According to her, it is from these pro-poor, people-centered nationalism and patriotism that the National Assembly, as elective representative of Gambian people, commenced some four years ago to institutionalize the statutory oversight mandate of parliament. 

Hon. Renner disclosed that the select committees of the Public Accounts and Public Enterprise are two such institutions in the National Assembly that strive yearly to carry out this oversight mandate. She explained that the main function of the Joint Session of the two committees is to perform lawful scrutiny and checks over all public services and agencies without exception or discrimination, affection or ill-will. 

In pursuit of these goal and mandate, she said successive speakers in the recent past, in collaboration with the key partners like the CPA, Her Majesty Government through British High Commission and the DFID, the US
Embassy, and UNDP among others embarked on a much needed capacity building for Lawmakers and Staff of the National Assembly, to enable them better perform their representative, legislative and oversight functions in Parliament.

“Key among which is to enable them assess, evaluate and interpret voluminous technical, scientific, social and financial information, usually flowing into Parliament, for timely decision-making with a view to protect public interests and welfare. VOL:2 ISSN:147