Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday attributed the poor understanding of the National Assembly’s functions to the abiding misconception of the role of the parliament by most Nigerians.
Saraki also said that the work of the parliament to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance is also misjudged by some people.
Dogara noted that “Contrary to some mischief makers’ views, legislative oversight and scrutiny is very critical to good governance as the legislature remains perhaps the only arm of government imbued with necessary constitutional powers to obtain information necessary to shine light on any form of abuse, inefficiencies or waste in governance.”
“Many Nigerians do not quite understand the functions of the Parliament in carrying out its constitutionally assigned roles and responsibilities.”
“The Parliament does its works through Legislation, Representation and Oversight. Through Legislation, we make Laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country. Through Representation, we advance the particular interests of the people of our constituencies and the interests of Nigerians generally, while through Oversight, we oversee or monitor the activities of the other Arms of Government.”
They spoke at the maiden edition of National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.
The week- long event marking the end of the third session of the National Assembly, will also witness exhibitions and tours.
Saraki said: “It remains a concern that, because the legislature is the youngest arm of government in Nigeria, it is the most misunderstood.
“This is largely due to an abiding misconception as to the role of the legislature and the work we are doing to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance. It is my expectation that this programme will go a long way towards helping to deepen the public understanding of the very real, indispensable work done by lawmakers, in line with our constitutional mandate.”
Saraki noted that a clear evidence of the negative perception of the National Assembly is the lack of understanding of the budget process and the role of the National Assembly, which is seen, unfairly, as holding up the passing of the budget.
Insisting that “nothing could be further from the truth” Saraki said “Civil society has a voice at the table, with regard to the budget; public hearing on the budget as part of the enactment process, has come to stay.”
