Introduction
Nothing concentrates the mind like a deadline. With the date for the convening of the 10th Parliament fast approaching – it must be held within four months of the end of the previous session which ended in the last week of September, 2011 – it is expected that our politicians will soon resolve the uncertainties over who will be the Speaker as well as the simmering questions about the Statements of Poll. That would set the stage for the National Assembly to begin work in earnest over the dozens, or perhaps scores, of issues that cry out for attention. Since all of these cannot be addressed simultaneously, the Parliamentary Management Committee would have to agree on the priority issues and their timelines for completion. This will be no easy task.
The Jagdeo administration has left a damaging legacy of bad laws, unhelpful culture and lots and lots of square pegs. The parliamentary opposition, faced with exciting possibilities has promised much and they will be expected to deliver. They will be tempted to set