Speaker Harps On Citizens’ Engagement To Enhance Representative Democracy
Gloria Essien, Abuja
The Speaker of the house of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas has charged Nigerian on citizens engagement as the fulcrum of a representative democracy.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on the 10th house of Representatives legislative agenda, Dr Abbas observed that It is only through engagements with the citizens that legislators will become truly, the representatives of the people.
He explained that meeting was part of the house desire to have a legislative agenda that meets the yearnings and aspirations of citizens and with which they would use as a benchmark to evaluate and assess its performance after four years.
“It is my expectation that our conversations will centre around the critical needs of our people at this time. As articulated in my speech on the 4th of July, 2023.
The House will pay priority attention to participatory budgeting process and delivery, law reform, electoral reform, women’s participation and inclusion in governance, improved socio-economic conditions, entrepreneurship, employment, health and education, infrastructure, citizens-focused diplomacy, institutional capacity and citizens engagement, constitutional amendment and restructuring, among others”.
I understand that the Committee has expanded on these themes. As stakeholders, feel free to suggest your ideas or even bring up more themes on what will make the 10th House more responsive to the expectations of our people,” he said.
The Speaker also said the ‘Open NASS’ project of the 10th House requires regular consultations with the people as it strive to return the Legislature to those who own it through regular, meaningful, and productive engagements.
Abbas said it also required lawmakers to have functional constituency offices for regular interaction with the constituents.
The leader of the house Professor Julius Ihonvbere, stated that the 10th house envisioned a nation, where the economy is robust and diversified, infrastructure is world-class, education is transformative, healthcare is accessible to all, and governance is transparent and accountable.
Professor Ihonvbere highlighted some of the key Pillars of the Legislative Agenda, which includes Economic Empowerment and Diversification, Infrastructure Development, Education and Human Capital Development, Healthcare for all as well as Security and safety of persons and properties.
According to him, the Legislative agenda is a commitment to the people of Nigeria to build a brighter future for all.
Participants at the meeting includes CSOs, members of the diplomatic community and politicians.
Lateefah Ibrahim
