BY NED GAGAHE
The Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) has voiced its support for dual ministerial oversight in the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Amendment Bill 2024.
Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) hearing last week, CEMA representative Brian Keniasia highlighted the need for both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Commerce to have a role in overseeing state-owned enterprises.
Keniasia stated that consolidating decision-making authority in a single minister could lead to potential governance issues and stressed that shared oversight would enhance accountability and operational effectiveness within revitalized state-owned enterprises.
“So much has been revitalized, so most of the changes here were here to get familiar with. But looking at the amendment, currently we, under the Minister of Commerce, which is dealing with one minister responsible for most of the authority to reach him, but the inclusion of the Minister of Finance, in our view is that if we have two ministers responsible for dealing with the affairs.
“I think that would be okay with the current revitalization, putting more powers in one minister. It falls along the line where there are certain things that shouldn’t be happening, but it happened because one minister responsible for most of the decision of the board.
“So, if we have the Minister of Finance coming in and the Minister of Commerce, at least along the line of decision-making that would be appropriate for a new revitalized CEMA, than leaving it on one minister carrying out the whole responsibility for decision-making.” Mr Keniasia said.
The Opposition Leader, who is also a member of the Committee, described Keniasia’s remarks as “very courageous,” acknowledging the challenges faced by CEMA.
He echoed the sentiment that consolidating power in one individual may not be the best path forward for the organization.
Chairman of the BLC, MP for West Are’are, John Maneniaru reminded the committee of historical precedents that led to the current amendments.
“We’ve experienced the pitfalls of one-man decision-making before, and I hope you recognize why this act is in place,” he cautioned, stressing the need for a more collaborative approach moving forward.
