The Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament have achieved a milestone in 2009 by passing some 58 crucial laws, a majority of which are related to steering the economy to greater heights in 2010.

Parliament, which is referred to in Commonwealth lingua as the ‘August House’, while playing it’s legislative role of deliberating and passing laws, managed to fulfil most of its obligations, including a follow-up on government activities.

During the course of 2009, the Deputies summoned cabinet ministers to explain the state of Genocide memorial sites, the functionality of the ‘Women Guarantee Fund’ and also explain the plight of Rwandans who lost their lives and property to straying wild animals, alongside the peripheral of Akagera National Park.

These were among many other major concerns addressed by parliament on behalf of the Rwandan people.

On the other hand, the Senators summoned government officials to explain the functions of the Social Security Fund and the Worker Medical Insurance Fund, the Capital Markets Policies and various laws focusing on doing business in Rwanda.

While the legislative assembly plans to set up a radio station to engage and interact with the electorate much more effectively, it also received 104 personal computers which will boost the already internationally acclaimed e-government solutions that the Rwandan parliament has been using over the years.

Both Chambers of Parliament finalised their third term early this month. However, from the above audit, it is also important to commend the parliamentarians for taking time off, their private schedules and taking on an extra-ordinary session of 14 days in order to finalise pending bills before the end of 2009.

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