FNC debate uncovers rift with ministry

The Federal National Council debate over the performance of ministries and autonomous institutions on Tuesday uncovered a rift between the members and a minister.

Saeed Khalfan Al Gaith, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, rated the government's performance as among the best in the world, but FNC members accused it of nepotism, indifference, indiscipline and exploitation.

Most of the house members walked out in protest as the minister was giving a presentation on the government's performance.

This is Al Gaith's second confrontation with the FNC members. A few weeks ago they locked horns while discussing the annual report of the Administrative Institute.

The continuing stand-off does not augur well for the relations between the ministry and the FNC. They should consider the interests the citizens of the country and work out an amicable solution, FNC sources told Gulf News.

Tuesday's debate reflected the uneasy relationship between the minister and the FNC members. It started with member Mohammad Bin Khadim flaying performance in ministries and public institutions.

"Most of our graduates and employees alike complain that they have become marginal, frustrated and paralysed because of many irregularities, foremost of which is nepotism," he said.

Bin Khadim said: "Everybody advises employees to resign because career development is implausible. And senior officials do not contribute to development; instead they wait for retirement and do not allow young employees to take their positions. Others are indifferent...."

MP Hussain Al Mutawa'a touched on the lack of coordination between bodies of a single ministry, as well as the absence of teamwork and proper communication.

"The promotion system has been frozen for a long time and salaries have remained the same, which has forced employees to become indifferent and quit," he said.

Al Mutawa'a called for the role of administrative control to be strengthened and demanded a comprehensive survey of the problems faced by ministries.

Mohammad Rashid Al Naqabi said most administrative systems being used suffer from centralisation and nepotism.

"There is no system to assess performance of senior officials such as undersecretaries, managers and section heads in terms of capabilities and efficiency and review of their achievements," he said.

Ali Saeed Ali questioned the credibility of the current appraisal system, demanding that they are made every six months and that a firm control system is created to prevent favouritism in the evaluation.

Ali Al Saraidi said nepotism is spreading in the ministries and federal authorities.

"Some officials in these institutions regard them as their private companies and do not implement resolutions of the Cabinet, because there is no-one that can bring them to account," he said.

He said he wished that whenever a post of undersecretary or general manager became vacant, at least 10 candidates should be assessed for the post in terms of qualifications and experience.

"Some ministers select relatives to defend their mistakes and some officials exploit their posts for personal gains," Al Saraidi said.

However, Al Gaith hit back by demanding that FNC members present evidence whenever they discuss the issues of nepotism and corruption.

In return, Member Ahmad Al Khatiri challenged the minister to present evidence on his claims, namely his assertion that the UAE was rated 10th in the world in the use of computers in federal ministries and institutions.

Al Khatiri asked: "How can we verify the minister's statement when the UAE's website has not been updated for a long time? If you log on to the website you will find that the latest Cabinet list dates back to 1997."

He asked the Minister: "Why does your ministry fail to publish its decisions in the official gazette? Why has the civil service authority failed to use its powers to propose to the Cabinet any change in salaries?"

Al Gaith said laws and regulations in the UAE are developing faster than almost anywhere else in the world.

He also said any employee with a grievance has the right to lodge a complaint.

"Assessment of performance is done by a committee and not an individual. And there is a proposal to introduce a civil service medal to be granted to distinguished employees," he said.

Shaikh Khalid Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nahyan said the session had been very unusual.

"The views of the house and the Government are polar opposites. There is a clear misunderstanding, which prevents bringing about positive proposals for the benefit of the public.

"His Excellency the minister, who represents the Government, sees that we are the best country in the world mainly in terms of computer and legal procedures.

"Since we have reached this advanced position, there is no need for the house to issue recommendations to develop performance any further. So I call for withholding recommendations.

"We have a disastrous emiratisation process and the Government says we are the best. Thank you for the best ministry in the world."