Sostenus Wilherm
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula is demanding clarity on the legal authority, cost and mandate of the proposed Public Assets Management Agency (PAMA), questioning whether the new entity could duplicate functions already performed by the government institutions.
Kalangula tabled notice of the questions on Tuesday and is set to raise the matter in the national assembly on Thursday, when he will ask the prime minister a series of questions on the government’s steps towards operationalising PAMA.
Kalangula’s questions come as the government seeks to establish PAMA as a mechanism for improving the management and utilisation of state-owned property.
The proposed agency is intended to oversee, register and commercialise state-owned immovable property and strategic assets
However, Kalangula says the management, custody and valuation of state assets are already governed by existing statutory frameworks, including the State Finance Act, Public Enterprises Governance Act and Companies Act, as well as the mandates of line ministries.
He specifically points to the directorate of fixed asset management within the ministry of works and transport as an existing structure with responsibilities relating to state property.
Against this background, Kalangula wants the government to explain the specific legal foundation on which PAMA is currently operating.
“Under what specific enabling legislation does PAMA currently derive its statutory authority to exercise administrative control, valuation, leasing, or commercial oversight over state property?” he asks.
The question places the legal status of PAMA at the centre of the parliamentary debate, particularly as the government moves towards establishing the agency and potentially transferring public properties under its management.
Kalangula is also questioning how the government intends to avoid duplication between PAMA and existing institutions.
He wants the executive to explain how conflicting mandates will be prevented between PAMA, the ministry of works and transport’s directorate of fixed asset management, the ministry of finance and local authorities.
According to Kalangula, clarity on the respective responsibilities of these institutions is important as PAMA moves towards exercising control over state-owned property.
His third question focuses on the possible transfer of public properties from line ministries to PAMA and the safeguards that would govern such transfers.
Kalangula wants the government to provide objective criteria for determining which properties can be transferred to the agency.
He is particularly concerned about properties that are being used for public service delivery, including schools and health facilities.
“What objective criteria and legislative safeguards are in place to govern the transfer of public properties from line ministries to PAMA, ensuring public service delivery space (such as schools, health facilities) is not displaced by commercial monetization goals?” he asks.
The question comes as PAMA’s proposed commercialisation mandate places greater emphasis on extracting value from state-owned properties.
Kalangula is also seeking clarity on the financial implications of establishing the agency.
He wants the government to disclose the total projected cost of establishing PAMA’s operational infrastructure, board and executive secretariat.
He is further asking whether existing asset-management directorates within line ministries will be restructured or absorbed to avoid duplication and potential double-funding.
“What is the total projected financial implication of establishing PAMA’s operational infrastructure, board, and executive secretariats, and will existing redundant asset management directorates within line ministries be restructured or absorbed to prevent double-funding?” Kalangula asks.
His final question focuses on the country’s state asset register.
Kalangula wants the government to table a comprehensive and audited National State Asset Register before parliament before any strategic government real estate or public assets are transferred to PAMA for commercial management.
“Can the government table a comprehensive, audited National State Asset Register before parliament prior to transferring any strategic government real estate or public assets to PAMA for commercial management?” he asks.
