The Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure has issued fresh summons to the Ministry of Finance following repeated failure by the ministry to honour invitations to explain issues surrounding the controversial digital number plate project.

Committee Chairperson Mwine Mpaka said this was the fourth time the ministry had failed to appear before the committee to respond to concerns regarding the project.

Mpaka revealed that the Minister of Finance had instead written to the committee requesting to appear next week. However, the committee rejected the request and directed the ministry to appear by tomorrow.

The chairperson warned that failure to comply with the latest summons would leave the committee with no option but to take action in accordance with the law.

The committee is continuing to engage stakeholders involved in the digital number plate project amid concerns over its implementation, financial management and alleged losses to the government.

The legislators are seeking explanations on the project’s operations and accountability, with scrutiny focusing on how public resources and revenue generated under the arrangement have been managed.

Meanwhile, journalists covering the committee proceedings were asked to leave the meeting at the request of police as submissions on the digital number plate project continued.

The committee’s investigations are ongoing as Parliament seeks answers from the various stakeholders involved in the project.

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