Abuja: The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has urged the members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to engage in legislative interventions aimed at restoring peace in the state. This call to action was made during the opening of a five-day training session organized by NILDS for the members of the Plateau State House of Assembly in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, themed 'Legislative Practice, Processors and Procedures,' highlighted the critical role of the legislature as the core of representative democracy. Sulaiman emphasized that the legislature serves as the people's house, tasked with creating laws, providing oversight, and representing the citizens' collective interests. He noted that Plateau State faces security challenges and stressed the importance of reviving its reputation as a state of peace and harmony. Sulaiman called on the Plateau State House of Assembly to collaborate with the Executive, security agencies, and the Federal Government to restore normalcy.
Sulaiman further underscored the need for legislators and staff to be equipped with the appropriate tools, skills, and knowledge to fulfill their roles effectively. He noted that without these skills, the legislature might struggle to promote accountability, transparency, and good governance. He asserted that democracy flourishes when legislatures are well-informed and responsive to the people's needs. The workshop, he said, was designed to enhance the assembly's capacity to fulfill its constitutional mandate and address practical issues in lawmaking, legislative procedures, committee work, budget scrutiny, and oversight functions.
Former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Luke Onofiok, highlighted the importance of improving the oversight function of the legislature. As one of the workshop's resource persons, Onofiok pointed out the need for employing professionals as support staff to assist lawmakers in technical areas. He mentioned the challenges faced in oversight due to a lack of funding and expertise, emphasizing the necessity of recruiting professionals to aid in technical areas like oil and gas and engineering.
Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Madaki Ajiji, expressed the assembly's eagerness to learn and enhance their skills through such workshops. He emphasized their commitment to service and their readiness to make a significant impact in the state's history.