Commonwealth MPs discuss parliamentary conducts

Sixty legislators from 18 member countries of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) are set to converge for a five-day seminar from today in the city to exchange experience on parliamentary conducts.

The CPA links members of national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth. Its mission is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance.

According to chairperson of preparatory committee of the seminar, Mr Jossey Mwakasyuka, at the forum MPs will examine their role in serving the people in their constituencies.

The participants for the CPA’s 25th seminar, which Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda would officially open it, have been arriving from other countries since yesterday.

The event is expected to be attended by dignitaries from other countries, including Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, Deputy Speaker of Malaysia National Assembly, Mr Ronald Kiandee and Mr Barry House, Speaker of Western Australia Constituency. Other top government officials are Chief whip for government of Ghana Dr Benjamin Bewa-Nyogo and secretary general for the CPA, Dr William Shija.

Four local experts and others from other countries are scheduled to present papers during the seminar to shedding light over different issues on the role of CPA in the region.

For local experts include Dr Philip Mpango, Executive Secretary for Tanzania Planning Commission, Dr Ayubu Rioba, lecturer of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Mr Ludovick Utouh, Controller and Auditor General (CAG), and Dr Fatma Mrisho, Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Commission for Aids (TACAIDS).

Mr Mwakasyuka said the participants from would come from 32 places, these are Australia, Ghana, Seychelles, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Britain, Namibia, Pakistan, Kiribati, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and New Zealand.

Others include Scotland, Zambia, Malaysia, Swaziland, Tasmania, Cook Island, Rajastan, New South Wales, Uttar Pradesh, Western Australia, Zanzibar, Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Chandigarh, Australia Capital Territory, South Australia, Cook Islands and India.

The Citizen 

UM– USEKE.RW