Doha: Secretary-General of the Shura Council H E Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Fadhala, affirmed the Council’s readiness to start a new phase in its legislative process, as it is scheduled to start on Tuesday the second ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 51 ordinary session.
H E Al Fadhala said, during a press conference yesterday, that a committee was formed under his chairmanship to conduct and follow up the work of the opening of the second session, and preparing various conditions and requirements, to be a distinctive start for the second session, especially since it is the first session to be held in the new hall of the Council, marking the start of a new stage in the country's legislative process.
He added that the General Secretariat of the Shura Council plays an important and pivotal role in supporting the work of the Council, through its exercise of the powers stipulated by the relevant laws, including the completion of all administrative work of the Council, organising sessions and committee meetings, writing minutes, and providing full support for the work of the Council administratively, legally and financially through various departments, the General Secretariat also addresses various state authorities regarding the work of the Council, organises the members’ affairs and provides them with support to carry out their role to the fullest.
He stressed that the General Secretariat made unremitting efforts during the first session, by attracting Qatari competencies, to provide the Council with qualified personnel with qualitative competence that are in line with the requirements of the current stage. It has also, during the past short period, accomplished many important organisational matters, such as approving the organisational structure and regulations for personnel affairs in the Council, defining the competence of departments, preparing buildings and supervising their implementation in the required manner.
He pointed out that the most prominent challenges that have been overcome lied in restructuring the General Secretariat in proportion to the competencies and workload of the elected council, as the number of council members has reached 45 from 30, as well as expanding the powers of the council member with regard to oversight and legislation, which requires keeping pace with this development in terms of the number of employees and their specialisations.
He indicated that the updates during the last stage included the development of the council’s administrative staff and the modernisation of new buildings, while the general secretariat worked hard to ensure that the council’s work proceeded in a perfect manner.
Regarding the preparations of the General Secretariat of the Council for the next session, he said that the work of the General Secretariat does not start with the beginning of the session and does not stop with its end, but rather it is in continuous work throughout the year by carrying out all the necessary administrative work, to provide all requirements to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislative process.
With regard to the new building of the Council, he said that the General Secretariat of the Council received part of the new building some time ago, which includes offices and administrative facilities, noting that work on the construction of the new building of the Council did not exceed a year, as the construction work began almost with the start of the first session, which is an achievement in itself.
He added that the most prominent characteristics of the new building are the presence of the main hall, which accommodates approximately 500 people, in which the general sessions of the Council will be held and will also witness the opening session, while the two-storey building includes several facilities that meet the requirements of the current and future stage, as the building includes a reception hall that can accommodate approximately 50 people, as well as boards and side halls, and a meeting room equipped with all modern services and technologies, a hall for holding press conferences that accommodates about 50 people, and the basement parking can accommodate about 400 cars.
