Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has warned that he will not hesitate to fire lazy chairpersons of parliamentary committees, as committees must live up to their constitutional mandate of ensuring accountability and oversight in the use of public resources.
Suleman made the call in Lilongwe on Monday when he opened a two-day orientation of Members of Parliament on Parliamentary Committees.
He urged Members of Parliament to work hard in parliamentary Committees because they are the engine rooms of Parliament.
The newly elected speaker said the new leadership in Parliament is determined to restore the integrity and seriousness of committee work.
“We are here to work not to spend time for nothing. I expect regular reports from the Committees and I will ask for programmes because I want you to work effectively.
The Speaker said it is Committees that transform Parliament from a debating Chamber into a functioning system of checks and balances.
“Every Committee you shall soon serve in, carries the responsibility to question, to probe, and to demand accountability on behalf of the people who sent you here”, he said.
On his part, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative Chika-Charles Aniekwe said democracy is not just about debate but about action that improves people’s lives.
He also urged legislators to make parliamentary committees a platform for meaningful engagement and tangible outcomes that respond to citizens’ needs.
The orientation was timely as it would introduce MPs to best practices on gender responsive budgeting and budget analysis, which form part of crucial Committee work.
During the orientation, MPs will be taken through key presentations which will cover a range of topics, including the powers and functions of parliamentary committees, allocation of members to various committees, procedures for referring Bills to committees, drafting and proposing amendments, Scrutiny of Bills within committees, Quorum requirements for committee proceedings, Debate and decision-making processes, and best practices for maintaining order and decorum during committee sessions.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika opened the First Meeting in the 52nd Session of Parliament on Friday last week.
Members of Parliament are expected to resume sitting on Wednesday, 5th November, 2025, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
