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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has dissolved all ad hoc committees of the House with immediate effect after they exceeded the timelines allotted for their assignments.
The directive also ordered the committees to immediately cease all activities, while their chairmen are to submit outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials to the Office of the Clerk of the House for safekeeping.
Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sidi Ibrahim, announced the dissolution in a statement yesterday, saying the decision was in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House. “I am directed by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, to inform all members that all ad hoc committees of the House stand dissolved with immediate effect.”
Ibrahim explained that ad hoc committees were constituted to carry out specific assignments within stipulated periods and submit reports, rather than operate indefinitely like standing committees.
According to him, the House had previously directed the committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with established rules and practice.
“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,” he said.
Ibrahim said Order 18, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which provides for limitations on the time for submission of reports, requires committees to complete their assignments within the period allotted to them.
“Having exceeded the time allotted, the continued existence of the ad hoc committees is no longer tenable,” he said.
The Clerk consequently directed that all activities being carried out in the name of the dissolved committees should cease immediately and urged members to ensure strict compliance.
Chairmen of the affected committees were also directed to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials in their possession to the Clerk’s office for safekeeping.
