Treating issues with urgency crucial
Last week, the coalition Government demonstrated what it meant by treating issues with urgency. The prompt response of the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, to the written questions raised by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lenora Qereqeretabua, is a commendable move that deserves recognition.
In a world where public officials are notorious for delaying responses to written questions, Mr Tikoduadua’s quick response sets a positive precedent for accountability and transparency in Government. The Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s acknowledgement of the minister’s swift response and the eventual posting of the answers on the Parliament website are also praiseworthy actions.
Ratu Naiqama’s acknowledgement can be seen as a follow-up from his earlier comment during the Parliament sitting on February 17: “Honourable Members, please be advised that the Daily Hansard for yesterday’s sitting will be circulated later this morning, once the Secretariat finalises the content.”
This statement shows commitment and due diligence by the coalition Government to notify August House and obviously the public, that Government will treat matters with urgency.
It is refreshing to see that the Secretariat recognises and appreciates the minister’s timely response to the questions, which reflects a willingness to be transparent and accountable to the public.
It sends a strong message to citizens that Government is committed to transparency and accountability, and is willing to provide answers to questions raised by the public promptly.
This is a welcome development, as it enhances the public’s trust in Government and promotes good governance.
However, this positive development should not be a one-off event. It should become the norm for public officials to respond promptly to written questions and provide the necessary information to the public. It is essential for Government officials to understand that timely responses to written questions are essential to promoting accountability and transparency in government.
Even if Government does not have the answers, then, it should openly be honest about it and give a timeframe for when responses can be provided..