KUWAIT CITY, Jan 3: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim presided over the meeting of the Assembly Office on Monday. Assembly Office members Deputy Speaker Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi, Observer MP Osama Al-Shaheen, Chairman of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee MP Obaid Al-Wasmi, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee MP Ahmed Al-Hamad and Secretary General Adel Al-Lugani attended the meeting. Meanwhile, MP Osama Al-Shaheen forwarded queries to Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Ali Al-Mousa about the measures taken regarding the heavy rains that the country witnessed on Sunday. He wanted to know the steps taken to determine the reasons behind the failure of related infrastructure to control rainwater; if there were errors in designs of roads, bridges and tunnels; if any of the senior officials at the Ministry of Public Works or Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART) informed Al-Mousa about the unstable weather forecast as circulated earlier on social media; measures taken to prepare for such weather conditions; and if Al-Mousa issued any directive to deal with heavy rains. He requested for results of investigations into the faults uncovered in the last five years and a detailed report on cases referred to the Public Prosecution due to mistakes in designing roads, bridges and tunnels.

On the other hand, MP Yousef Al- Ghareeb submitted a proposal to assess the situation in blocks two, four and 12 in Salmiya. He suggested selling these blocks at reasonable prices or transform them into investment areas. He pointed out these blocks are surrounded by many shopping malls and a large number of bachelors are renting apartments in these places; thereby, contradicting the nature of private housing model areas.

In another development, MP Thamer Al- Suwait commented on the disputes involving the opposition. He said this is the result of the scemes plotted by Speaker Marzouq Al- Ghanim to instigate rifts within the opposition. He recalled the statement of Al-Ghanim at the end of the previous legislative term — that the next term will witness a different situation. He said Al-Ghanim, whom he considers an illegitimate speaker, benefits the most from the ongoing disputes. The National Assembly meanwhile resumes regular sessions Tuesday. This will be preceded by the constitutional swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Cabinet. The session will handle clauses listed on the session’s agenda, amongst which is examining Amiri speech inaugurating second ordinary session of 16th legislative term.

The assembly will be rectifying session transcripts, queries, and incoming messages as well as continuing the formation of parliamentary committees, and looking into government agenda for the years (2020/2021 - 2023/2024). The sessions, scheduled to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, will include discussions of parliamentary committees’ reports. The parliamentary committee of foreign affairs suggested amending law boycotting Israel, and suggested a new law banning dealing with or normalizing the Zionist entity and its institutions.

The human resources committee proposed laws “Kuwaitfying” public jobs in the state, as well as suggesting adding articles and amending law of civil services. The internal affairs and defense committee proposed amending the arrangement of constituencies and including several areas to the electoral schedule. Furthermore, requests of forming investigative and temporary parliamentary committees will also be discussed. The National Assembly’s second ordinary term was inaugurated in Oct 26. His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah handed in his Cabinet’s resignation on November eighth to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies