MP’s end first term on a high

KIGALI - Both Chambers of Parliament will today end the first term of the year 2010 that kicked off on February 5. During this term, major bills were passed by the Lower Chamber, some of which are now in the Senate awaiting approval. According to the parliamentary Director General for Communication, Augustin Habimana, the amendment of the Constitution and the 2009 /10 national budget were some of the key successes achieved during the first term. “Other major activities that took place in the Lower Chamber include passing of the law authorizing the ratification of the East African Common Market Protocol while several cabinet Minister appeared parliament.” Habimana said. Among the top government officials who appeared in the Parliament this term is Premier Bernard Makuza. He was summoned to respond to queries raised by the parliamentary Commission on agriculture, livestock development and environment. The Premier appeared alongside the Ministers of Agriculture (Dr. Agnes Kalibata), Infrastructure (Vincent Karega), Lands and Environment (Stanislas Kamanzi), and Forests and Mines (Christophe Bazivamo). The Senate also passed a number of ratifications this term while again; several Ministers appeared in Senate over different issues. Finance Minister, John Rwangombwa, and Internal Security Minister, Musa Fazil Harerimana, were among those summoned by the senate Rwangombwa was invited to answer senators’ queries on the privatization process while Harerimana was questioned by the senate on setbacks within the National Police. Meanwhile, the senatorial standing committee on political and governance affairs chaired by Senator Joseph Karemera is today expected to table its final report on the embattled PS-Imberakuri political party. Ends