The House of Representatives has dissolved all its ad hoc committees following their failure to conclude their assignments and submit reports within the time prescribed by the Standing Orders. The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sidi Ibrahim, and addressed to all chairmen and members of the ad hoc committees.
The Clerk said the decision followed earlier announcements by the House urging the committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the Rules and established practice of the House. “Following those announcements, only two Ad Hoc Committees sought and were granted extension of time in compliance with Order Eighteen Rule 5 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives. The two-week extension granted has since elapsed,” the circular said.
The House said ad hoc committees were temporary committees established for specific and time-bound mandates and were not expected to continue indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted. It cited Order Eighteen, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which provides for “Limitations as to time of Reports,” requiring committees to submit their reports within the time allotted to them.
“Having exceeded the time allotted, the continued existence of the Ad Hoc Committees is no longer tenable,” Mr Ibrahim said. Consequently, the House directed that all activities being carried out in the name of the affected committees should cease immediately. The chairmen of the committees were also directed to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.
The dissolution of the ad hoc committees is not the first time the House has taken action against committees for failing to submit reports on their assignments within the stipulated period.