National Assembly Faces Funding Challenges, Says Speaker Abbas

National Assembly Faces Funding Challenges, Says Speaker Abbas

Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has declared that the National Assembly is the least funded branch of the Nigerian government. He made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday during the launch of three legislative digital platforms developed by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre with support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Represented by Amadi Victor Obuzor, a member of the Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Federal Constituency, Abbas highlighted the financial constraints faced by the legislature, countering the prevailing belief that it is overfunded….READ MORE….

“Many Nigerians mistakenly think that the National Assembly is well-funded. Unfortunately, it is actually the most underfunded branch of the government,” he stated.

Abbas expressed satisfaction that various development partners have conducted assessments that corroborate the claims of underfunding within the National Assembly. “These digital platforms will help to address issues within the National Assembly and potentially reshape public perceptions of the institution,” he added.

The event featured the introduction of several platforms, including the PLAC Bills Track, the Legislative Agenda Tracker, and the Legislative Repository, all aimed at improving transparency and encouraging citizen engagement in the legislative process. These tools will enable users to track bill progress, access comprehensive legislative texts, and view infographics and analyses.

Omolara Akinyeye, the Deputy Executive Director of PLAC, noted that these resources would assist users in monitoring bills as they progress through the legislative system.

Clement Nwankwo, the Executive Director of PLAC, emphasized that this initiative is part of larger efforts to enhance oversight, accountability, and public engagement with lawmakers. He acknowledged the significant demands placed on legislators by constituents and stakeholders but stressed the necessity of maintaining focus on oversight and accountability, as well as addressing the needs of the citizens they represent.

“These platforms are crucial as they facilitate the sharing of information on various aspects of our legislative activities,” Nwankwo concluded.