By Gloria Essien, Abuja
The Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on lawmakers to prioritize good governance and ensure that their legislative interventions meet the needs of Nigerians.
Speaking at the 2-day retreat in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, organized for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, Kalu emphasized the responsibility of the parliament to understand the needs of the people and address them.
In his goodwill message titled “Planning with Facts and Evidence,” Kalu stated, “It is our responsibility to discern the nation’s most immediate needs and address them accordingly. This data-driven approach not only reflects the principles of good governance but also ensures that our legislative actions are tailored to the evolving needs of our people.”
Kalu also emphasized that the role of legislators extends beyond the National Assembly, encompassing the welfare and aspirations of every Nigerian citizen.
The Deputy Speaker stressed the importance of incorporating data into the decision-making processes of the parliament. He highlighted the need for participatory democracy, which promotes public engagement in all legislative endeavors.
“The needs and aspirations of the people must be incorporated when sculpting the national budgets by the parliament, rather than leaving such a critical task to the discretion of the heads of MDAs who may not always prioritize the greater good due to ignorance of facts and data from the people,” Kalu explained.
The retreat served as an opportunity to gather needs analysis directly from the voices and experiences of the people, according to the Deputy Speaker. He emphasized that legislation should be based on unbiased, data-driven input from the people they represent.
Kalu asserted, “The facts and data we collect through rigorous needs assessment should not merely serve as statistics; they should be the guiding light that illuminates the path to more effective legislative procedures and products.“
“After all, we craft laws for the people, and it is only equitable that the people actively shape the society they envision,” he concluded.
