Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa urged parliamentary committee chairs and their members to prioritise the review of the most recent annual and financial reports, emphasising the importance of presenting these reports to Parliament without further delay.

In a session held last week, Prime Minister Fiame pointed out that many of the reports under deliberation in Parliament in the last two weeks date back to 2019, with a significant backlog in annual and financial reports. 

While acknowledging that some concerns raised by parliamentarians based on earlier committee recommendations have led to progress, she stressed the pressing need to address the delayed presentation of reports for proper scrutiny.

“The majority of the reports discussed in Parliament are from 2019 to 2022. We must acknowledge that some of the issues raised by members have been addressed.

"So it is concerning that many reports are still delayed in being presented to Parliament for further deliberation,” said Fiame. 

She emphasised that discussing annual reports and making recommendations on improving the operations of the executive branch of government is crucial for enhancing accountability and progress.

To address the backlog, Fiame put forward a motion for Parliament to approve all remaining and outstanding reports from the various parliamentary committees, along with the corresponding government responses to the outdated annual and financial reports. 

The motion was seconded and quickly gained unanimous support from Parliament members.

“We need to ensure that all remaining reports are presented and discussed on time to help strengthen the functioning of the government,” Fiame added.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Papali'i Li'o Ta'eu Masipau, echoed Fiame’s concerns and further urged committee chairs to make the review of the most recent reports a priority. 

He underscored that these reports are essential for the Legislative Assembly to assess the performance of government ministries, as well as to offer constructive feedback and recommendations for improvement.

“It is vital for the development of the government that we deliberate on these reports and provide suggestions to improve the work of the executive arm,” Papali'i stated. 

He also acknowledged the efforts of various government officials, especially those in senior roles, who are diligent in submitting their reports on time, recognising their commitment to transparency and accountability.

The call to expedite the review of these reports reflects a strong commitment to ensuring the timely oversight of government operations and addressing any issues that may arise. 

With the support of Parliament and the commitment of committee chairs and government officials, the hope is that these reports will be presented more promptly in the future, fostering greater accountability and a more responsive government.

The Prime Minister and Speaker’s statements signal a renewed focus on improving the timeliness of parliamentary deliberations, reinforcing the need for effective governance and transparency at all levels of government.