The parliamentary conference of chairpersons on Wednesday began a three-day retreat in Nyagatare District, and key on the agenda is how best to improve government oversight, a key role of the Lower Chamber. The conference is made up of the Speaker, her two deputies and chairpersons of the nine standing committees of parliament. Also part of the retreat are chairpersons of the four parliamentary networks and forums. According to Speaker Donatille Mukabalisa, one of the ways they are looking at increasing oversight was to streamline the organic law determining the functions of parliament. “There are still some gaps, and indeed, this law has not been reformed since 2005. So, the ideas that will be shared here will help improve this law, such that it facilitates us to better oversight of the Government, she added. Mukabalisa also said the retreat will help them find best ways to make most of the information that lawmakers receive through various reports, and in findings of surveys conducted by different entities which are presented to the House. Speaker Mukabalisa reminded lawmakers to work for Rwandans, serve them and help them build our country. She added that this was also an opportunity to discuss how parliament can make much deeper analysis of bills before they are pass. “The law gives every MP the right to initiate a bill; so, in this retreat, we will see how we can do it in a better manner than before,” she stated, adding that they are trying to find how the laws they pass succeed in solving the problems for which they are established. She added that there was also need for parliament to put more efforts in the follow up and evaluation of the implementation of the laws they pass.
