The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to working with OrderPaper Nigeria on citizens engagement
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (APC Abia), has reiterated that the 10th National Assembly is committed to working with OrderPaper Nigeria and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to deepen citizens engagement.
Kalu emphasized this commitment while speaking at the commencement of the legislative open week on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
He highlighted that building strong partnerships are essential for legislative work of the 10th House. “We must continue to work with civil society organizations like Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), OrderPaper, YIAGA Africa, the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA) to deepen engagement with all Nigerians, including those with disabilities.” Kalu added
OrderPaper commendations
OrderPaper has continued to receive recognition and commendation for its heavy-lifting on the legislature in Nigeria. Recall that in December, 2023, the Speaker of the 10th House Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, commended OrderPaper and other development partners for their support and collaboration that yielded successes in the first six months of the House. He noted that the technical support provided by OrderPaper and other partners have aided the development, implementation and evaluation of the legislative agenda of the green chamber.
Rep Kalu said the parliament’s work with OrderPaper and other CSOs will enable the lawmakers to prioritize legislative actions that will help to meet the needs of Nigerians, adding that lawmakers have a responsibility to understand the nation’s urgent needs and address them accordingly.
He said: “On behalf of the House of Representatives, I warmly welcome you all to the Open Week 2024. As the People’s House, we understand the importance of transparency and public engagement. This week is dedicated to engendering a more inclusive and democratic legislative process that truly reflects our constituents’ needs and voices.
“I must highlight that the visionary leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass PhD, the Iyan Zazzau, deserves immense praise. This inclusive approach, ensuring all voices are heard, is a model for effective governance. The hard work and ingenuity of the entire 10th House leadership is truly commendable. It is a privilege to collaborate with them in delivering the transformative potential of the 8-point legislative agenda.
“This 8-point agenda focuses on strengthening good governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law; improving national security to ensure the safety of all Nigerians; modernizing and strengthening our legal framework; stimulating economic growth and job creation; investing in education, healthcare, and other essential services;generations enhancing public participation in the legislative process; promoting Nigeria’s interests on the global stage; and protecting our environment for future generations.
“An open legislature is not just about engagement, it is about data-driven decision-making. We, as your representatives, have a responsibility to understand the nation’s most immediate needs and address them accordingly. This requires a meticulous approach, utilizing data and prioritizing models that reflect the pulse of our nation.
“Planning without facts has historically led developing nations like ours down a path of retrogression. Openness and data-driven decision-making will ensure our legislative actions are tailored to the evolving needs of the people we serve.
“This Open Week is a testament to our commitment to transparency and public citizens engagement”.
About OrderPaper
OrderPaper is Nigeria’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisation and policy think tank bridging the gap between people and parliament. The CSO-cum-media organisation is the secretariat of the Nigeria Network of Parliamentary Monitoring Organisation (NNPMO).
Featured image credit : OfficialBenKalu