House Set to Win Confidence of Nigerians, Says Ihedioha
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon (Chief) Emeka Ihedioha, has declared the resolve of the 7th assembly of the legislature to redeem its image and win back the confidence of Nigerians. “
Our decision to reduce the costs of governance and ensure transparency and accountability in public policy will help us to win back the confidence of the people in the House of Representatives as the defender of our democracy,” he said when he led the debate on the Legislative Agenda on the floor of the House yesterday.
Ihedioha listed six key factors captured in the agenda that would guide the business and conduct of the House in its bid to improve its image and standing in the eyes of the public. These include openness, transparency and probity in the conduct of public policy; internal democracy in the running of the House; international best practices; prudent financial management; review of the constitution and relevant laws to ensure good governance; and productive interface with civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders in the Nigeria project.
Describing the legislative agenda as “a refreshing mission and vision which is set to open a new vista of hope and possibilities in our national efforts at democratic consolidation,” Hon. Ihedioha hailed the “people – centredness” of the policy document which “seeks to empower and mobilize the citizenry for national development.”
The deputy speaker also stated that the agenda has the potential of “reviving and diversifying the economy, generating employment, strengthening our national security, curbing corruption, tackling the energy crisis and arresting the general infrastructural decay that confront the nation.”
While canvassing full support for the agenda, the deputy speaker highlighted salient areas captured in it to include seamless functionality of the committees; strengthening of oversight responsibilities; reduction of the cost of governance; and strengthening of the National Assembly bureaucracy for effective legislative performance. Others are strengthening the budgetary process through the operationalisation of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) as well as constitution reform to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.“The agenda imposes on all of us a burden of responsibility to deliver good governance and development to the good people of Nigeria,” he stressed.