The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Anita Among was compelled to prematurely adjourn the house to Thursday at 2pm over the continued absence of Ministers .
Parliament convened for plenary on Wednesday afternoon, however, notable was the empty front bench that is usually occupied by ministers. The ministers form part of the executive as members of the Cabinet, and their cardinal role forms part of the policy and decision-making process that is central to government action.
The processes and discussions of Cabinet are confidential, unlike those of Parliament, and it is only the decisions which emerge.
Among was irked as the absence was hindering progress on pertinent issues that needed the executive.
The Order Paper had a motion seeking leave of Parliament to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled, the Rainwater (Harvesting and Storage) Bill, and a motion for adoption of the report of the committee on government assurances and implementation on the government assurances to stabilize fuel prices
Among said the ministers continue to miss plenary despite being highly paid. She therefore resolved to meet the executive on the matter before going forward.
“I am going to meet the executive on this matter, if this house is only for members of parliament then lets be told. If we are supposed to have ministers that represent the executive then we should have ministers on this front bench. But we cannot show up as Members of Parliament, waste our time ,talk while no one responds. And they are paid highly, we have 83 ministers. For that reason therefore I want to meet the executive on this matter. Lets adjourn the house until this issue is resolved.” she said
Adding that: “As you see, this is one of the abandoned Houses and we are wondering whether we still have Ministers; how do we handle the House; Members have issues; how do we handle the House without Ministers,”
Rule 25(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament enjoins the Speaker to accord preeminence to Government Business, in the absence of which House proceedings stall.
“Order of Business (1) The Speaker shall determine the order of Business of the House and shall give priority to Government Business,” reads Rule 25(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
To augment the centrality of Government Business, Rule 26(1) gives precedence on all the known official days of the sitting of Parliament.