Sitting governments will be required to have handing over notes ready six weeks before a new administration is sworn in. It is part of amendments to the presidential transition Bill to be considered in parliament this week. The Bill also bars the Administrator General from undertaking procurement on behalf of the state during the transition. Issues of transition, especially in the case of a change in government, is always characterised with a lot of delays. There have been accusations and allegations by the different parties. Some make allegations of documents being hidden, others complain of a haphazardly prepared handing over notes which makes it difficult for them to properly transition and start work. Accountability is key in the Presidential (Transition) Act. This law makes provision for periodic stocktaking and an inventory of executive assets.
This requirement covers state assets in both the official and private residences of senior public officers including the President, Vice President as well as Ministers of state. The Transition law also stipulates that handing-over notes covering a broad range of public offices are to be submitted to the Administrator-General not later than 30 days before a presidential election. The proposed clauses will be the subject of debate this week when the Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Committee presents its report to the House.
Vice Chairman of the Committee, George Loh says also to be addressed are clear roles of transitions teams. “We took out the power to procure things from the Administrator General. We are saying that he should not procure any new thing as you would realize also that as part of his duty he/she is not a procurement agent,” Mr Loh said.
Source – myjoyonline
