MPs to investigate Minister Murekezi

KIGALI - Parliament has set up a committee to investigate and compile a report, within two months, detailing the irregularities identified in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour. The outcome of the report will determine whether the House will move to cast a vote of no confidence against the Minister of Public Service, Anastase Murekezi. This follows a report, presented Friday, compiled by a parliamentary ad hoc committee, that revealed various irregularities within the public service sector. Minister Murekezi had previously, on two occasions, appeared before the parliament to explain why the numerous problems in his office were not being addressed. His explanations were rejected by the MPs, who then set up the ad hoc committee to investigate further and report back to the House. The committee, chaired by Alfred Gasana, presented its report to the Parliament, concluding in its findings that Murekezi was not in position to solve the long-standing issues within the public service. Gasana’s committee accused the Minister for violating article 181of the constitution by allowing some government entities to recruit employees without going through the Public Service Commission. Some of the entities mentioned include Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and National Human Right Commission (NHRC). The commission’s report indicated that the Minister admitted to being incompetent to handle some of the problems that fall in his port folio. The report noted that the Minister continuously contradicted himself and lied to the MPs when being questioned. “There are blame-games going on between the Ministry of Public Service and Labour and the Public Service Commission regarding the failure to implement some policies,” reads the report. Regarding issues related to recruitment procedures, the report indicated that the minister lied to the commission that the President gave him orders to issue a decree that had not been approved and nullified a law that was that was still valid. Following the presentation of the report, several MPs became furious and requested for a motion to pass a vote of no confidence against the Minister. “If a full cabinet minister admits to his incompetence, that clearly means that he shouldn’t be part of the cabinet,” MP Jean Thierry Karemera said. “He admits he is incompetent, he admits his errors, he contradicts himself, I am just eager to vote him out of cabinet,” said MP. Jean Damascene Murara MP Françoise Mukayisenga, said; “I wonder whether the Minister knows the gravity and seriousness of the issues he is facing...what is this that he is doing? I personally want him out.” MP Alfred Kayiranga described the minister arrogant and irresponsible. However despite the lawmakers’ call for a vote of no confidence against the Minister, Parliament’s internal rules and regulations indicate that another investigation must be conducted to compile the list of the irregularities, prior to the vote. The investigative committee was set up and given a mandate of two months to produce their report. MP Gasana will head the committee. Ends