By Wezzie Gausi:
Parliament’s move to secure special funding for committee inquiries has stirred debate over whether such investigations are delivering accountability or simply consuming limited public resources.
Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman says the funds, secured after discussions with Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha, would enable committees to carry out thorough and credible investigations.
He has also made it clear that Parliament will not rush to release incomplete findings, insisting that reports must meet required standards before being presented to the august House and stakeholders.
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“We will not be forced to release half-baked reports,” he said.
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While the position suggests a push for quality and depth, it also raises a broader concern that has persisted over time: whether parliamentary inquiries are producing real consequences.
The ongoing Amaryllis Hotel inquiry, led by the Public Accounts Committee, remains one of the most closely watched cases. The probe centres on alleged financial irregularities involving the Public Service Pension Trust Fund and has faced delays and procedural challenges.
At the same time, Parliament is also handling an inquiry into a military plane crash, another case that has drawn public interest but is yet to produce definitive outcomes.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira said while funding was important, results must be the ultimate goal.
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“We would like to see transparency in how these investigations are handled and it is important that the Amaryllis inquiry is concluded before jumping into another one,” he said.
People’s Federation for National Peace and Development Executive Director Edward Chaka said inquiries can help the country avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
“As such, there is a need for thoroughness when inquiries have been instituted. Under normal circumstances, money should not be an issue but, rather, whether findings of such probes help the country avert future disasters.
“As such, those conducting inquiries must enjoy unwavering support from all stakeholders. Inquiries can help countries learn from mistakes and share a newfound unity of purpose,” Chaka said.
