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The House of Representatives requires the sum of $25.8 million to fund Parliamentary Development Programme designed by United Nations Development Commission (UNDP) aimed at developing the capacity of members of the 10th Assembly.
The Rule of Law and Human Rights Specialist, Mr. Paul Turay disclosed this while giving synopsis of the Parliamentary Development Programme
According to him, the House of Representatives is to provide core funding of $4.6 million representing 20 percent of the total budget.
He assured that the balance of $21.2 million which represents 80 percent of the budget is to be outsourced through bilateral, multilateral, foundations and private sector.
In his address, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas applauded the contributions of the diplomatic corps, and development partners to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic development are deeply valued.
“Your interventions in critical sectors such as health, education, security, and governance demonstrate your dedication to our nation’s progress.
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“As we present this Programme today, let us cast our minds to the critical role of the legislature in advancing the democratic and developmental aspirations of Nigeria.”
“A vibrant democracy rests on the strength of its legislature. As such, the Parliamentary Development Programme is not merely about capacity building – it is an investment in the heart of our democracy.
“A strong legislature is essential for implementing reforms, providing oversight, and ensuring accountability.
“The lawmaking and oversight functions of the legislature are fundamental to governance, and without a capable legislative institution, the development we aspire to cannot be fully realised.
“This initiative comes at a crucial time. The 10th House of Representatives has set an ambitious Legislative Agenda, which is closely aligned with the reform-driven vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The National Assembly and the Executive are committed to transformative reforms in sectors such as the economy, security, infrastructure, and social welfare.
“We expect the Parliamentary Development Programme to bolster further the institutional capacity necessary to deliver on these reforms, ensuring that the legislature can effectively support the administration’s Agenda for national development.
“Historically, the legislature has been under-resourced and underdeveloped, especially compared to the executive and judiciary.
“Therefore, strengthening the legislature is not only imperative but also an investment in the stability and progress of our democracy.
“One of the challenges we face is the high turnover rate in the legislature at both national and sub-national levels. In the 10th Assembly, 281 new members were elected out of 360.
“This disrupts continuity and erodes institutional memory, which are essential for effective governance.
“Continuous capacity building is crucial to mitigate this challenge, ensuring new legislators have the skills and knowledge needed to contribute effectively from day one.
By investing in the institutional strengthening of the National Assembly, we are laying the foundation for a resilient legislature that can better contribute to the overall good governance of the country.
“A strong and capable legislature is central to driving the reforms needed for Nigeria’s development.
“Many of the critical reforms needed in Nigeria today can only be implemented through the legislature’s lawmaking and oversight roles.
“Therefore, investment in strengthening the institutional capacity of the National Assembly is an investment in Nigeria’s future.”
Speaking earlier, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah described the Parliamentary Development programme as “a milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen governance and promote democratic processes in Nigeria.”
Ms. Attafuah said, “On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme, and by extension, the United Nations family, I would like to commend you for your vision for the 10th House of Representatives that promotes transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and dedication to the principles of democracy.
“Your commitment to modernising the legislative process to align with international best practices is exemplary. It requires that we enhance the institutional capacity of the House to be more effective in law-making, oversight, and representation.
“This is crucial for restoring faith in democracy and addressing the diverse voices and aspirations of the Nigerian People.”
The UNDP representative also commended the Speaker for the exemplary leadership provided, “especially for advancing numerous bills and measures to increase the participation of women in both elected and appointive offices in Nigeria.”
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