Assembly helps govt solve problems

The National Assembly is now playing an even greater role representing Lao people after meeting with government ministers to discuss questions raised by citizens.

Assembly members yesterday had discussions with ministers and deputy ministers of Planning and Investment, Public Works and Transport, Finance, Energy and Mines, and the Bank of the Lao PDR.

National Assembly Vice President Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane presided over the meeting, which was held at the National Assembly in Vientiane .

Speaking after a coffee break, Dr Xaysomphone said the meeting between the assembly and government members was significant because it was a chance for them to discuss national problems and jointly seek solutions.

“The meeting is to stimulate the government members to talk about their responsibilities and to review their work,” he told Vientiane Times on Monday. “It is also a chance for the people's representatives to understand what the government is doing.”

People around the country have telephoned the National Assembly through its hotline to question the performance of the government on issues ranging from road construction to land concessions. The assembly put these questions to the sectors concerned and asked them to address people's comments so as to identify solutions to the various problems.

Dr Xaysomphone said the government had solved several problems with the advice of the assembly, but he admitted many other issues needed more attention, such as water supply in Vientiane , which people complain does not meet demand.

He said the government was increasing the capacity of the water supply but it would take some time before construction of a new water treatment plant in Kaoliew was finished.

According to Public Works and Transport Vice Minister, Mr Sithong Thongkeo, the supply of water in Vientiane is 80,000 cubic metres per day but the demand is for 160,000 cubic metres per day.

In a separate issue, Dr Xaysomphone said people were also concerned about large land concessions and the negative impact on local people's livelihoods. The government would continue to address the problems, he said.

Assembly members will monitor the government's progress and continually advise the government about how to fulfil its plans.

Dr Xaysomphone said the meeting also allowed ministers and officials to demonstrate their abilities, which gave people more information about who they might want to vote for.

According to assembly officials, the meeting was a part of activities by the assembly in preparation for its next session in June. Standing members wanted to obtain information from the government to make a report to the meeting.

The officials say the assembly will open up the hotline again during the next session to hear what people think about the performance of the government so as to find ways to improve administration under the leadership of the Party.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update April 22, 2008)