MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) are expected to report earlier than usual for work next year at the National Assembly for the 13th meeting of the first session of the 11th Parliament.

King’s Counsel (KC) Fine Maema confirmed that the National Assembly will be officially opened for business on January 14.

“Normally, the House convenes in February in preparation for the budget speech, which is given priority over other businesses,” he said.

The resumption of business in January is due to the heavy work load lying head and the pressure on the House to finish the National Reforms Authority (NRA) processes timeously, KC Maema said.

The NRA is an independent authority established through the National Reforms Authority Act 2019.

It is mandated to manage, coordinate and lead the reforms process in the implementation of resolutions and decisions of plenary.
KC Maema said this means that the parliamentary portfolio committees will also have to work hard due to the pressure for the bills which had been put before the House by the NRA to be enacted as laws in time.
He said the resumption of parliamentary work in January will also pave the way for the members to deal with the bills in time for the budget speech.

“That way, a lot of ground would have been covered in connection with the national reforms,” the National Assembly Clerk also said.