Dilemma can only be solved by consensus

A new rule by the National Assembly requiring Cabinet Secretaries to attend some sessions and answer parliamentary questions has met with resistance, but it has served to demonstrate the need for more conversations to seal loopholes in the Constitution.

The Supreme Law has gaps in certain areas that undermine governance. As currently constituted, Cabinet Secretaries, who are basically the technical heads of the ministries and policy makers, are not MPs and therefore they are excluded from parliamentary sessions. 

Yet, Parliament routinely needs to get answers from ministries on certain issues, which requires some input from the ministers.

In their absence, the onus has fallen on the Leader of the Majority in Parliament to provide answers. Certainly, this has not worked.

This is the reason why the National Assembly sought to change the Standing Orders to allow Cabinet Secretaries to go to the House and answer questions. However, the Secretaries are not amused, and this for a good reason.

Already, they appear before parliamentary committees to respond to matters under their dockets. Unfortunately, these committees have become too overbearing and intrusive, sometimes seeking to meet the CSs over superfluous matters.

Yet, unlike in the past, the ministers do not have assistants to whom they can delegate such matters. Since it is clear that there is a gap, a solution must be sought that will serve the interest of all.

Rather than oppose the suggestion outright, the Cabinet Secretaries should provide counter-proposals that can be discussed by Parliament and ultimately, a common position adopted that will serve the interests of both parties without undermining the principle of separation of powers.