Parliamentary Opposition Leader Jeremiah Manele has urged the government to create a separate budget for the two constitutionally established offices, namely the Opposition’s office and the Independent group.
Manele highlighted this during the sine die motion in the national parliament last week that resourcing of these two institutions is critical for a vibrant democracy in Solomon Islands.
“I wish to remind the government and this parliament to make proper provisions under the budget to support the offices of the Leader of Opposition and Independent,” he reiterated.
He further stated that the parliamentary committees need to do more to provide detailed scrutiny and oversight to the many government activities. Thus they need proper resourcing to enable them to carry out their duties.
He added that parliamentary committees often been prohibited from carrying out their functions because there is no proper allocated time frame given to them, therefore encourage parliament and the government through the Prime Minister’s office to put in place a parliamentary calendar, so that the whole of government and its legislative program is properly timed against such calendar.
“Sir it is time that we organise our legislative program in a manner that is orderly and professional than continue doing things on adhoc basis,” the Opposition Leader cautioned the house.
By AATAI JOHN
