A section of MPs in 2018 boycotted committee work after the Parliamentary Service Commission failed to pay sitting and mileage allowances on time.
The lawmakers had skipped several committee sittings, which are central to Parliament’s work, after going about two months without financial facilitation. Sources said some foreign trips were cancelled and pushed to the following year, while mileage reimbursements also went unpaid on time.
The protest gathered momentum after Endebess MP Robert Pukose raised the matter on the floor of the House and complained that members were being denied the support needed to do their work.
“When we go for any committee retreat nowadays, we are not facilitated.” “Members are not given their sitting allowances,” Pukose said. “It is high time the Parliamentary Service Commission is given notice.” “If they are not up to the task of making sure that members are facilitated, then we will recall and replace them.” “Members are having many challenges,” he added.
The standoff came as MPs continued pushing for higher salaries, larger allowances, free cars and free medical cover for themselves and their many wives.
