Some legislators in the 10th National Assembly said they have identified some lacunas in the Nigerian constitution and in the electoral Act, pledging readiness to bridge the gap as soon as they return from recess by September.
Speaking during a capacity building workshop for young legislators in the 10th National Assembly in Akwa Ibom State, the member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueffong Oruko federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Martins Esin said the session on Bill Scrutiny and Analysis opened their eyes to gaps, such as incomplete financial autonomy among the three arms of government.
He said the lawmakers plan to tackle it holistically when they return.
Esin, who is also the Chairman, Youth Development Committee explained that the workshop was aimed at driving effective legislation among young persons from age 45 years and below at the 10th Assembly.
His words, “For us, young parliamentarians to come out from recess into a training shows how we place the national interest above our personal interest. In the legislative agenda for the 10th House of Representatives., where we talked about youth inclusion and participation, there are a lot of expectations from young people.
“No doubt there is a legislative lacuna, we have taken a session on scrutinizing bills and there are a lot of lacunas inside the constitution and the Electoral Act, we have geared up and immediately we resume by September, we will begin to close these gaps. We are going to make independence of each arm of government to be holistic.”
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the former president, Mohammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang who was a resource person at the training harped on the need for the executive arm of government to obey totally, the provisions of the constitution and allow financial autonomy of both the legislature and the Judiciary.
He regretted that despite the constitutional amendment in that regard, non of the state governors has complied with the directive urging the Akwa Ibom State governor to set the pace.
He said, “My presentation is for the executives to comply with the provisions of the constitution as amended to allow financial autonomy completely. Unfortunately, non of the states have done that.
“It is very sad that a governor was celebrated because he bought vehicles for the legislators, it’s not the work of the governor because the legislature should be allowed to manage its finances, when it finishes they know it has finished.
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“The executive, legislature, and the judiciary must sit down after the budget and set up a committee headed by the commissioner for finance and the monies shall be shared appropriately among the three arms.”
He charged the young parliamentarians to ensure that such is fully implemented in their various states.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno in his goodwill message welcomed the young parliamentarians and promised that the legislators in the state would enjoy what is due them.
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