BY NED GAGAHE

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has strongly criticised the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), saying its legislative performance has fallen well short of the priorities outlined in the Speech from the Throne.

Speaking in Parliament during the Sine Die Motion on Monday December 15, 2025, Wale said the Government was “not as productive as it could have been,” despite this being GNUT’s first full year in office.

“The list of priorities and legislative agenda outlined during the Speech from the Throne was not matched by what came through the House,” Wale said.

“I had high hopes that Parliament would be kept on its toes by the load of legislative work to be transacted. This was not the case.”

While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s explanation that political instability had affected productivity, Wale said this was an issue GNUT itself must resolve. He added that excessive overseas travel by ministers had also contributed to the lack of progress.

“I was told that overseas travel by some ministers was without the information, let alone the consent of the Prime Minister. If true, this is just terrible and wrong,” he said.

Wale further revealed that his office had received reports of ministers failing to attend their offices, leaving Permanent Secretaries without political guidance and contributing to poor policy delivery.

“This behaviour leaves Permanent Secretaries in an awkward position and is a contributory factor to this low productivity by GNUT,” he said.

He called on the Prime Minister to “put his foot down” and impose discipline on ministers, noting the Prime Minister’s assurance that 2026 would be a much busier legislative year.

Wale also criticised the recurring issue of political instability, saying it has become “custom” for Prime Ministers to complain about it.

“GNUT is not stable, we all know that,” he said. “There are simply too many factions sponsored by a diversity of vested interests feeding off the personal interests of certain individuals in GNUT.”

He described the situation as “state capture,” arguing that national interest is no longer the sole driver of government decision-making.

“When you know what the right thing to do in the national interest is, but you make a different choice, then you know the government is held captive to other interests,” Wale said.

He warned that such instability erodes national sovereignty and harms the economy, stressing that all leaders share responsibility to address the problem.

“This situation has become normalised, but it cannot continue if we want to see our country and people grow to their full potential,” Wale said.

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