The Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the National Assembly Mr. Lesao Lehohla says Members of Parliament are expected to lead the nation in various development activities in an attempt to fight the current state of famine when Parliament is in recess.

Speaking in an interview on Monday 04 November,2002, Mr. Lehohla explained that there is no basis for disruption if parliament has adjourned for more than two months. Mr. Lehohla said it  has come to their attention as government that Leaders of Opposition parties have raised a concern over the period at which Parliament has adjourned. He further explained that while records have shown that in other sittings of former Parliaments there have been longer period of recess exceeding two months, that is the time for members to go back to their constituencies to report back to people they represent of work that the house has done so far.

The Deputy Prime Minister further pointed out that during this particular time of recess, MP's had a lot of field work to do rather than sitting in Parliament discussing, while a great number of people who die of hunger increases by the day in the country. He explained that as an answer to the Prime Minister's declaration on the state of Famine in the country earlier this year, MP's had a role to play in monitoring the distribution of food donations to beneficiaries as well as to monitor the ongoing summer cropping. Mr. Lehohla further reiterated that MP's have a responsibility to ensure that a similar state of famine does not recur.

The Deputy Prime Minister  further indicated that following the past general elections, there was a need for MP's to receive training that will prepare them to carry out Parliamentary business accordingly, hence this time has also been used for such training. He concluded by appealing to the nation not to get confused about Parliament's time of recess, clarifying that as soon as the Government is ready with its own business of the House, Parliament will be convened.

Meanwhile, Members of opposition Leaders in Parliament had shown their concern over the time for the adjournment of the present Parliament in a meeting they held recently at the parliament premises. In their statement, they had mentioned that Leaders recognized that the agreement to adjourn the house in sine die was made in good faith after consultation with the Leader of the House and that they had hoped that the Government would by now be ready with business of  the House.

The statement said Leaders are of a view that an adjournment exceeding two months is too long since it has a lot of business which should already be before the house, adding that they accordingly, therefore, urge that Parliament be convened forthwith. It said Leaders noted with concern that a good ploughing and planting programme which they fully supported has been implemented without a plan and target, adding that in some places ploughing has taken place and planting has not been done due to some tractor contractors who complain that they are not been paid on time to enable them to carry out their duties.

The first sitting of the sixth parliament of Lesotho was adjourned in sine die on September 06, this year after  it was officially opened by the King on July 12.

04 November,2002