The Majority Chief Whip, who doubled as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability, Hon. Ibrahim R. Bundu intimated that the said Committee which comprise of 16-Honourable Members from the political parties represented in Parliament, including one Paramount Chief has returned from the South-Eastern Councils to assess the level of compliance with Section 107 of the Local Government Act, 2004, operational capacities, challenges, and transparency and accountability with regard to funds allocated to them for the development of their localities.

He said the Committee had looked into specific issues contained in section 107, which made it mandatory for all Councils to have notice boards within and outside their Wards where information relating to bye-laws, monthly income, financial statements, development plans to name a few were exhibited for at least 21-days for public consumption.

Sheku Lamin Turay, Public Relations Officer, House of Parliament facilitated radio discussions and phone-in programmes for the issues under review, implored the public and other interest groups to attend the Committee’s public hearings and provided the people the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting the development of their communities.

Apart from Standing Committees in Parliament, the Constitution empowers Selective Committees to investigate or inquire into the activities of any MDAs as assigned and such investigation and recommendation may extend to proposals for legislation when it shall commit its report to the Plenary.

Therefore, in discharge of its duties, it has powers, rights and privileges as vested in the High Court of Judicature such as oath taking, and enforcing the attendance of witnesses. This is a replication of what the Committee had already done for Councils in  Northern Region, and the funding was provided by PFMRU, a World Bank sponsored project within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.