Libreville – At the National Assembly, Gabon’s deputies recently held the government accountable, addressing the nation’s critical expectations.

What unfolded during Tuesday’s institutional oral questioning of the government transcended a mere parliamentary exercise. For the first time since the 14th legislature convened, Gabonese deputies fully embraced their oversight role, shedding light on the genuine concerns of a populace grappling with issues of purchasing power, education, healthcare, security, employment, and economic autonomy.

Convening at the Palais Léon Mba, in strict adherence to constitutional and National Assembly regulations, elected representatives posed nearly twenty questions to various government ministers. This significant political event precedes the upcoming Parliament Congress on June 15th, where President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is scheduled to deliver his message on the state of the Nation.

Youth at the forefront of national worries

Among the issues commanding the most attention was the alarming increase in drug and addictive substance use within educational institutions. Responding to an interpellation from the Honorable Huguette Tsono, the sixth vice-president of the National Assembly, Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault acknowledged the severity of the problem while reaffirming the state’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the school environment.

This particular concern extends beyond the educational sphere, directly impacting Gabon’s demographic and economic future. In a nation where young people constitute the majority, the battle against addiction emerges as a strategic imperative for social stability and human development.

A similar sentiment permeated the discussions surrounding national education. Addressing inquiries from Deputy Dorland Chancely Olengué, Minister of State Camélia Ntoutoume-Leclercq provided assurances that ongoing reforms are progressing according to the government’s established timeline. This response underscores a well-known reality: families harbor immense expectations, even as the sustainable improvement of the education system necessitates long-term transformations.

Economic sovereignty and local value creation

Another key takeaway from this session was the central emphasis placed on economic matters. The gradual prohibition of broiler chicken imports sparked a revealing debate about the new direction of public policy. According to Minister of Agriculture Pacôme Kossy, this measure is designed to cultivate a robust national poultry sector, capable of meeting domestic demand while simultaneously generating employment opportunities.

Beyond this specific decision lies a broader ambition: to diminish the country’s food dependency and bolster local production capabilities.

The same rationale underpinned the mining reform presented by Minister of Mines Sosthène Nguema Nguema. The announced ban on raw manganese exports forms part of a strategy for local processing, aimed at capturing greater added value within the national territory.

This policy shift signals a departure from the traditional model of raw material exportation. It aligns with a growing trend observed across several African nations that are now striving to further industrialize their natural resources.

Unresolved social challenges persist

The parliamentary exchanges also brought to light several everyday concerns. Difficulties encountered in obtaining national identity cards and passports were raised with Minister of Interior Adrien Nguema Mba. This issue is particularly sensitive for populations in the country’s interior, where access to administrative services can often be complex.

Challenges affecting retirees, individuals insured by the CNAMGS, people living with disabilities, and single mothers were also brought before Minister of Social Affairs Armande Longo épouse Moulengui. These questions serve as a potent reminder that economic growth, however vital, cannot achieve its full impact without tangible improvements in the daily living conditions of the populace.

Parliament’s renewed institutional role

Beyond the ministerial responses, this session primarily underscored Parliament’s visible resurgence as a vital forum for public discourse. By providing a platform for the people’s representatives to address diverse subjects such as food security, industrial transformation, education, health, and administrative governance, the National Assembly has reaffirmed its crucial function of democratic oversight.

The conclusion of the proceedings by National Assembly President Michel Régis Onanga Ndiaye also set the stage for the upcoming Parliament Congress, a major political gathering that will assess the progress of significant reforms initiated since the Transition.

This inaugural session of oral questions for the 14th legislature thus serves as a revealing indicator. It portrays a nation committed to profound transformations, yet simultaneously confronted by considerable social expectations.

Between achieving economic sovereignty, modernizing the state, and enhancing citizens’ daily lives, the government is now expected to deliver not just on its ambitions, but on its demonstrable capacity to produce visible results. It is precisely on this front that the credibility of Gabonese public action will be determined in the months ahead.