NASS: The Challenges Ahead

As the nation presses forward towards the realisation of stable, durable and tangible dividend-oriented democratic governance, one key gladiator on whose shoulders rest the challenge to actualise this dream, is the 7th National Assembly, which is saddled with the appropriation, legislation and oversight functions.

No doubt, the 6th National Assembly, which ended on Saturday, June 4, 2011, could be adjudged to have made appreciable achievements that have moved the nation’s democracy a step higher, particularly in the area of legislation.

Some of the landmark legislations worthy of commendation, we believe, include, the bills on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Freedom of Information bill.

Others were the National Minimum Wage bill, the Terrorism (prevention) bill and the Money Laundering (prohibition) bill. All these bills, among others, have since been signed into law by the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

We view these achievements as most commendable, against the backdrop of the fact that unlike in the past when bills were passed but could not see the light of day, the leadership of the 6th National Assembly was able to sustain stable and rancour-free parliamentary tenure as well as promote cordial working relationship with the executive arm that prompted the president’s assent to the bills.

Be that as it may, we are not oblivious of the performance of the 6th National Assembly in carrying out some of its appropriation and oversight functions, in the last four years.

It is on this premise that we join other well-meaning Nigerians to task the 7th National Assembly to make good the promises made by the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, that the parliament would not repeat the mistakes of the past, which almost cost it the confidence of the electorate.

In his inaugural speech, Senator Mark had assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would lay the foundation for the nation’s next 50 years by making the assembly truly transformational in all ramifications in the depth and content of its works, legislation, representation and oversight.

The Senate president promised that the Senate would identify and prioritise key areas where legislations would be required for the transformation of the economy and polity, noting that the analytical capacity of the National Assembly as it relates to budgeting and oversight functions would be strengthened.

We hope that the promise made by the Senate President that the current session of the assembly would render, what he termed “historic account” to Nigerians through landmark legislations would propel the quick reconsideration and passage of the Petroleum Industry bill which we believe will not only lay the foundation for a new Nigeria but also change the course of history for the present and future generations.

Another very critical legislation to expect from the new assembly is the further amendment of the already amended 1999 constitution to review how we federate as a nation with the aim of achieving more cumulative efficiencies in the federating units, based on comparative endowment advantages.

We believe that the ability of the National Assembly to also make further amendment to the Constitution and effect the required review of the Electoral Act and the anti-graft law would not only allow for the development of capacities and abilities but also propel Nigeria to the desired 20 most advanced economies in the globe.

We are equally elated by the acknowledgement made by the Senate President in his speech to the effect that our democracy is too expensive. We urge the assembly to make a priority, the proposal by the Senate President to initiate legislation that would reduce cost of governance at all levels, to free resources and attend to the basic need of Nigerians.

Another area of great concern is the failure of the National Assembly to properly collaborate with the executive arm to effectively administer the oversight functions of the assembly. A situation where public fund is spent on nutrientful committee investigations in the name of carrying out its oversight function is to say the least disturbing.

We, therefore, hope that concerted efforts would be made between the Assembly and the Executive to ensure that the white papers on pending reports of various committees of the last National Assembly are promptly released and indicted officers prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other public office holders.

There is also need for a radical change in our budgeting system. Collaboration between the executive and the legislature should be properly defined to ensure that Nigerians get a budget that can be effectively implemented.

All we require at this time of our nation’s political history is a strong National Assembly with the institutional capacity to provide quality legislation in critical areas of our national development and public welfare. Until that is done the hope of achieving the Nigeria of our dream would remain a farce.