Role of the National Assembly in Supporting and Oversight of National Development Projects
The ROOTS Project Policy Forum Convergence, held on July 11, 2023, shed light on the crucial role played by the National Assembly in supporting and overseeing national development projects. This significant event took place at the esteemed Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Center.
Understanding the Constitutional Mandate
National Assembly Members (NAMs) hold a pivotal position in the approval and implementation of national development projects. Their responsibilities encompass approving projects, allocating resources for their execution, and ensuring effective project implementation through rigorous oversight.
Enhancing Stakeholder Synergy
Despite the importance of the National Assembly’s role, there is often a lack of comprehension among relevant stakeholders. Therefore, it becomes imperative to sensitize all concerned parties and foster synergy for improved collaboration.
Objective: Facilitating Understanding and Cooperation
The objective of the Policy Dialogue Forum is to foster a better understanding among relevant stakeholders, particularly government officials involved in project formulation and implementation, regarding the National Assembly’s role. It aims to shed light on project approval, resource allocation, and oversight, while facilitating cooperation between Government departments and the National Assembly. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficient planning, allocation, and utilization of limited national resources. Furthermore, this forum presents an opportunity for National Assembly Members to directly engage with officials responsible for project formulation and implementation, thereby augmenting their work at the Assembly level.
Outcome: Strengthening Knowledge and Collaboration
The forum proved instrumental in enhancing the knowledge and understanding of relevant stakeholders about the National Assembly’s role in project approval, resource allocation, and oversight. Equally important, NAMs gained valuable insights into the perspectives of officials engaged in project formulation and implementation, including the challenges they face. Consequently, the forum yielded a clearer understanding of the roles played by each stakeholder involved in project formulation and implementation, leading to improved working relationships and more effective project execution.
Participants: Fostering Collaborative Engagement
The event witnessed the participation of approximately 40 individuals, including National Assembly Members and staff (10), personnel from Ministries involved in project formulation, management, resource allocation, and management, as well as Project Directors and staff from the ROOTS Project.
In conclusion, the ROOTS Project Policy Forum Convergence provided a platform to underscore the pivotal role of the National Assembly in supporting and overseeing national development projects. By fostering understanding and collaboration among stakeholders, this forum serves as a catalyst for improved project implementation and resource utilization. The event’s outcome translates into strengthened relationships and more effective endeavors in the realm of national development.