By Crispina Cummings
Parliament has set up an eight-man committee to investigate nongovernmental and civil society organizations, NGOs/CSOs on monies provided to them by donors with a view to find out how and whether such funds are expended judiciously.
The MPs first announced their intention last month and on Tuesday 25, March 2014 the special select committee unveiled in one of the sittings and it would be headed by the chief whip, Claude Kamanda.
Before the names of the committee members were read out Leader of the House, Ibrahim Bundu, MP, gave a background to the formation of NGOs and CSOs, stating that there was need for them to be responsible and accountable.
“With greater visibility and influence comes responsibility”, he said, adding that as their influence increased with the volume of resources they managed, some donors, governments, corporations and international agencies must always raise important questions about the effectiveness of their work and legitimacy of their advocacy.
The leader said it should be noted that the call from donor governments and agencies came especially in response to demands from their tax payers who wanted to know whether their resources were being used effectively and efficiently.
He said it was important to note that the United Nations had also recognized the need for NGO accountability as indicated in the “development dossiers” published by the “UN-Non-Governmental Liaison Service 2006”.He also highlighted the need for parliamentary oversight and NGO accountability.
The parliamentarian also argued that their action conformed to international best practice in the area of NGO relationship with governments,at national and local levels and with community members as key stakeholders.
(C) Politico 03/04/14
