ABU DHABI // Some Federal National Council members have expressed deep disappointment at the progress made during their final year on the council.
After a strong start this year, sessions have slowed down. The council has convened on fewer occasions because of ministerial absences.
Now, with three months until the end of the term, some fear they will not be able to get through the backlog of reports and debates they have been planning for years.
Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) said frustration at the sluggish pace was high. He said he expected poor session planning and minister no-shows to jeopardise the next elections and to harm the council’s reputation.
“If we continue like this, we will not be able to come three months before the elections and shine a light on the council for the people,” he said. “How can we tell people, ‘Come and vote, the council is important, we monitor the Government’?
“How can we give ourselves credibility to the people when it is no secret that we are struggling now to meet with the Government?”
He blamed the Ministry of FNC Affairs for poor planning and lack of coordination with the ministers.
“This is unacceptable,” said Mr Al Rahoomi. “We have a problem with low turnout during the elections and want to give the council value. One of the reasons why people are not getting involved in the elections is because no minister is available to attend the sessions. This affects the reputation of the FNC.”
Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of FNC Affairs, told The National it was up to the council to decide when they would like to discuss the ministry's policies with him, as was the case for any debate.
Mr Al Rahoomi has raised the issue several times in the presence of Dr Gargash.
Although the council and the ministry have made efforts to improve the situation, normality lasts for only a few weeks before the sessions are slowed down again, he said.
“If I come and tell [a ministry] they have shortfalls, this is for the public’s best interest,” said Mr Al Rahoomi. “This is for them to improve.”
Mosabeh Al Kitbi (Sharjah) said he did not believe the council would be able to finish half the reports it has ready for debate, if it continued at the same pace.
“We spoke to the Speaker, we want this to be resolved,” he said. “Our constituencies are waiting for us to debate certain issues which have been sidelined for an indefinite period.”
He said one delayed topic that puzzled him and other members was a report covering the policies of the Ministry of FNC Affairs that largely outlines its flaws.
“The report for this topic is ready, and the minister [Dr Gargash] is always present at the sessions,” he said. “So why aren’t we discussing this?
“It’s not clear why this is not being discussed.
“Every day members ask where this report is, why is it not being discussed. Maybe with other topics ministers are outside the country and cannot attend, but this minister is here. There is a question mark on this.”
He said his hopes for a productive year were now long gone.
“We wanted this year to be the most active,” he said. “But this year turned out to be a cold one.”
Ali Jassim (UAQ), the longest-serving member on the council, said it was natural to feel let down during the final year because of the number of goals set out by members and the restricted schedule.
But Mr Al Rahoomi said: “We are a constitutional institution, we should not be facing this problem.”
osalem@thenational.ae
