Temu slams speaker over slack committees

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu has blasted acting Speaker Jeffrey Komal for the non-performance of parliamentary committees in getting reports from ministers and bureaucrats.
“The ministers and heads of government departments need to be summoned by the committees to provide reports of how they are spending public funds,” Sir Puka said.
“They have to be held accountable. These committees are not performing, that’s why Opposition MPs and Government MPs in the backbenches raise questions to the ministers.
“But we have powerful committees right here in our midst and we are walking away and complaining.
“We have asked all the questions to the Works Minister and we have complained. Let me point out that the second most powerful committee is the Public Works committee.
“I want to highlight the importance of Parliament and what Parliament can do. We are relying on the executive government all the time. Where is the PAC chairman?
“He should be calling in the Works secretary to explain where the missing K7 million for the Wewak town road maintenance is. Where did he put the K7 million? Get the media.
“That’s where Parliament should be working. So many committees, we should be calling upon. Our problem is after every Parliament sitting we all go back to our electorates and deliver district service improvement programme funds.
“We go home after every session. I want this Parliament structured in such a way that we hold the executive government accountable. We hold the ministers accountable. We hold everyone accountable.”