By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has reiterated parliament’s determination to grant full and operational autonomy to local government areas in Nigeria.
The speaker gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the ‘Learning, Dissemination and Inception’ occasion organised by UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, in collaboration with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, and the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, PERL, project.
Abbas, who was represented by his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu, also stated that judicial reform is on the priority list, to enhance their independence, efficiency and accountability.
According to him, the reforms were outlined in the 10th Legislative Agenda of the House.
Abbas explained that the engagement offered a good opportunity to reflect and evaluate the critical lessons learned from FCDO’s interventions, which according to him, played an instrumental role in advancing democracy and governance in Nigeria, particularly within the legislature.
“As we approach the mid-term of the 10th Assembly, our commitment to collaboration with civil society organisations remains steadfast. We are working diligently to deliver on key areas outlined in our Legislative Agenda, particularly constitutional review, judicial and electoral reforms.
“Our Committees on Constitution Review and Electoral Matters are fully engaged, with ongoing support from PLAC and FCDO. We are determined to ensure that these reforms strengthen our democratic institutions and contribute to developing a more just and equitable society.
“One area of particular concern is the local government system, a vital but often neglected tier of governance. As our Legislative Agenda outlines, we
are committed to ensuring that local governments have full financial and
operational autonomy. These reforms are essential for empowering local
governments to serve their communities effectively and restore public trust
in grassroots governance,” he said.
The speaker assured of the commitment of the 10th House towards improving the lives of the citizenry through the enactment of all-inclusive legislations.
“The 10th National Assembly remains focused on this approach, continuously seeking ways to improve the lives of our citizens through responsive and inclusive lawmaking.
“A notable example of our commitment to engage with citizens was convening the Citizens’ Town Hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill. This event
provided a platform for direct dialogue between lawmakers and the public,
enabling legislators to understand citizens priorities better and reflect
them in the budget.
“This initiative also highlights the broader challenge of diminished public trust in government institutions in Nigeria and across Africa. We are gradually rebuilding confidence in the legislative process by facilitating such engagements.”
