Ministers ‘not above Shoura scrutiny’

A senior Shoura member has emphasized the significant role of the 150-member Shoura Council in evaluating the performance of ministers and government departments. “The new ministers should understand that they are not above the Shoura’s scrutiny,” said Mohammed Rida Nasrallah.
He said the new ministers should present their policies and programs as well as an effective plan to implement them. “Article 29 of the Council of Ministers Law states that every minister should present a report to the king 90 days after the beginning of the financial year, explaining his ministry’s achievements and the obstacles facing its projects,” he said.
Nasrallah said the king would forward the report to the Shoura Council where its members would review it on the basis of their knowledge and expertise. During a television talk show, he also proposed the division of the Social Affairs Ministry into the Social Development Ministry and Women’s Affairs Ministry.
“I believe we should also merge the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development into the Agriculture Ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Fayez, a planning and development consultant, said the Shoura Council has been weak in confronting the ministers. “It lacks highly experienced members. As a result, its monitoring role is weak,” he said, adding that most members do not have the expertise to discuss strategic development plans.
Al-Fayez called for the establishment of a higher council for planning to steer the Kingdom to greater progress in coordination with the ministries.
Speaking with Arab News, Abdelelah Saaty, dean of the College of Business in Rabigh, commended the Shoura for inviting ministers to its sessions to discuss various issues concerning the people. “This is a very positive move and will benefit the ministries as well as the public,” he said.
Saaty emphasized the need to appoint young men and women to the consultative body to make it vibrant and provide innovative ideas to boost the Kingdom’s development.