By Staff Reporter
MEMBERS of Parliament are struggling to make ends meet, leaving them with no choice except to use their own savings owing to the failure by the Treasury to timeously disburse funds to support operations.
The heart rending outcry likely to cripple operations at the August House came to light in Parliament recently when Hwange Central legislator, Daniel Molokela exposed how MPs were stranded ahead of the workshop on diplomacy which took place in Mutare recently.
He said despite the pressing program, no fuel coupons had been availed to legislators to attend the program.
Budiriro North Constituency, on Susan Matsunga also expressed concerns along similar issues, exposing how terrible the situation has become.
“Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Like what Hon. Molokela already alluded to, I am leaving for Mutare but there is no fuel. With regards to all the monies for induction, we have not yet received anything from induction workshops, all parliamentary activities have not been paid and things are spilling out of hand. Thank you so much. I am leaving for Mutare for assignment but we really plead with you so that our issues are addressed,” she said.
Honorable Bridget Nyandoro revealed that despite numerous engagements with the relevant authorities on the need to expeditiously avail the requested funds, the situation has not changed correspondingly.
“Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to add my voice on the issue on the table. We had a meeting as the Chief Whips together with the Finance Department and the Ministry of Finance , I think it was three weeks back. The Ministry of Finance had promised to give money to Parliament before we open so that Parliament can clear off the debts,” she said.
Nyandoro said unfortunately, when Hon. Togarepi called them , and the Finance Department said they have not received anything yet from the Ministry of Finance.
“However, the Government Chief Whip insisted that he knew that something was deposited into Parliament’s account. It seems as if there is, I would not want to call it a game but there is a ball throwing between the Ministry of Finance and our Parliament Administration,” she added.
