Speakers and principal officers of the State Houses of Assembly in the Southwest region have revealed plans to engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to work out a full autonomy regime for state legislatures in the country.
This was part of resolutions contained in a communiqué issued over the weekend by the presiding parliamentarians at a capacity development retreat attended by speakers and principal officers of state assemblies in the southwest region, held at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts, Ikogosi-Ekiti.
The speakers explained that autonomy would help in solidifying democratic governance across the 36 states of the federation.
The communique reads, “We recognise the necessity of engaging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to advocate for the legislative autonomy of our State Houses of Assembly.
“That legislative autonomy is crucial to the ability of the legislature to enhance democratic governance in our states.”
Emphasising the need for a virile legislature that is people-driven, consensus-orientated, and equipped with the requisite knowledge, the regional gathering said the fund management laws of state parliaments in the axis will be updated in line with the 5th alteration of the 1999 constitution of the country as amended to ensure fiscal transparency and responsibility.
To also keep up with global technological advancements, the lawmakers resolved to adopt the e-parliament system and processes to further ensure transparency and enhance proficiency.
The new push stemmed from the pace set by the Ekiti State House of Assembly, which recently bagged a Federal Government award as the best state assembly in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
In the communiqué signed by the Speaker of the Ekiti House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers, Southwest Zone, Adeoye Aribasoye, the southwest state lawmakers expressed their commitment to actively participate in the ongoing constitutional amendment to ensure the outcomes lead to rapid development and good governance in Nigeria.
“We further commit to reviewing the recently amended constitutional provisions to ensure their effective domestication and application in our states,” the communiqué read.
To make legislative actions reflect the diverse expectations of constituents, the communiqué highlighted assurances that constituency engagements would be strengthened.
The lawmakers said, “This retreat has reinforced our commitment to strengthening the legislative and enhancing good governance in our states. We are determined to translate the insights gained into actionable strategies for the benefit of our constituents.”
The legislators expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; majority leader of the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, and other high-profile dignitaries who graced the programme.
They also acknowledged the support of Cavista Holdings Limited for its partnership, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) for facilitating the retreat.
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