Parliament's community outreach program started in Vava'u ^Featured

The Parliamentary Education Team is now piloting a community outreach program in Neiafu, an initiative that was initiated with the secondary schools since 2010.

In visiting more than 15 villages in Vava’u, Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Dr. Sione Vikilani constantly reminded the general public of their important role in ensuring their electors represent their interests and voices in Parliament.

Dr. Vikilani asserted the electorates that their relationship with the MPs stops when voters elect them into politics. Rather they were advised to remain active in holding them accountable to their respective constituency.

“Under the new political system the power is now vested with the voters. Should they (MPs) don’t perform on behalf of their electors, vote for someone else in the next general election,” explained Dr. Vikilani.

Villagers were also briefed on the different functions of the three branches of Government which is the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

The Legislature or the Legislative Assembly is a law making body. The Executive’s (Cabinet) role is to enforce the laws passed by the Parliament and Judiciary’s main function is the interpretation of the law.

Villagers also learnt about Tonga’s new political system with the Privy Council no longer have any direct involvement with daily operation of the Cabinet.

The community was also reminded of the Parliament’s core function that is to pass and enact laws. The Legislative Assembly is to represent the people’s voices and interests, pass the national budget, appoint the Prime Minister and lastly to scrutinize the work of Government.

Brochure and video presentation on the legislation process and how laws are made were also displayed to further the community’s understanding.

Meanwhile LA Finance Controller Nanuma Kafatolu who also accompany the Parliamentary Education Team told villagers of Pangaimotu last Thursday that collective decision making on constituency fund matters.

He said villagers including town and district officers should all make a collective decision on what projects to be implemented under the Government constituency grants of TOP$150,000.00.

He added this is vital in the local government decision making level.

“It is not entirely for the electorate MP to decide on what community projects to be funded. Constituency grant is not to cater for individual needs but for overall urgency needs of the community,” explained Kafatolu.

The community outreach program is part of the LA Education Team awareness program to educate the public on how to access the constituency grant.

The awareness program follows the Parliament’s decision in June to transfer the management of the constituency grant from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to the Legislative Assembly Office.

Two ways are identified for accessing the grant. One is to make a project proposal through their electorate MP or apply directly through a community work committee to the LA office for the releasing of the fund to the community. It will be finalised by the Finance Controller and the Speaker of Parliament.

Kafatolu emphasises that purchasing a tractor for individual purposes or settling a consumer’s electricity bill is not classified as community projects. He recommended upgrading or improving water supply system among projects which benefits the community as a whole.

He adds “whether the funds is entrusted to a village committee or any local government body, the villagers’ involvement in the decision making in the local government is critical.”

Kafatolu also encourages the community the essential of maintaining a book keeping records.

”Recording all generated revenue and all the expenses incurred should be exercised at all times. Keeping receipts of all expenditure is also vital. So when audit work is carried out, the public funds are accounted for,” explained Kafatolu.

The four member Parliamentary Education Team includes Dr. Sione Vikilani, Nanuma Kafatolu, Education Officer – Manase Foukimoana and Parliamentary Editor/Reporter, Heti Lui.

-Legislative Assembly of Tonga

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