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As part of efforts geared toward improving its public perception, the leadership of National Assembly on Tuesday unveiled plans to engage the Executive arm of government and general public as part of its third year celebration of the 8th Assembly.
Senator Ahmad Lawan, Leader of the Senate disclosed this in Abuja, at the inaugural meeting of the Committee on ‘National Assembly Open Week’ initiated by the Senate, House of Representatives and National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Lawan who chaired the Committee on ‘National Assembly Open Week’, explained that the week-long programme is expected to provide platform for Executive arms and the Electorates to understand the workings of the Federal Parliament, which serves as symbol of democracy.
While expressing concern over the misgivings about the Parliament since 1999, the Leader of the Senate, underscored the need for massive support for the Parliament in the bid to deliver the dividends of democracy.
“An introduction of the activities for the two chambers for us to achieve better understanding and outcomes of what we do and our relationship with the Nigerian people at large.
Lawan who argued that “the National Assembly since 1999 has been battling with the public image, clearly this is the most misunderstood arm of government,” however expressed optimism that the National Assembly Open Week, will afford us the opportunity to interact with the public and various interest groups in the National Assembly on various activities and operations of the Parliament, ranging from plenary sessions, committees’ activities and oversights functions.
He also noted that the Executive arm of government, other stakeholders will also have opportunity of asking “all the important and nagging questions. Essentially the National Assembly Open Week will help to mark our anniversary, by the 9th of June by the grace of God, will be three years.
“Between now and then, we are supposed to come up with list and line of activities that the National Assembly will engage with relevant stakeholders for that period,” Lawan (APC-Yobe) said.
In his remarks, Aminu Shehu Shagari, chairman, House Committee on Judiciary Shagari to showcase the achievements of Nigeria’s Legislature since the inception of democratic rule in Nigeria, as part of measures aimed at laundering the image of the National Assembly.
According to him, the National Assembly Open Week will also help members of Parliament to understand that “whatever they do to the general public will impact on the institution.”
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
