CNA Laments Suspension of some CPA Branches in the Country
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, mni has expressed concern over the five suspended Nigerian State Branches of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and sixteen others which face imminent suspension over inability to pay their membership fees.
Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa stated this in his welcome address at the 8th meeting of Clerks of the National and State Houses of Assembly. Speaking on the issue of financial autonomy of the legislative branches of Government of Nigeria, the Clerk stated that when the opportunity to address the matter presented itself during the recent Constitution Amendment Bill 2010, some State Legislatures voted against the placement of State Houses of Assembly on first-line charge of the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation. However, “this development has gone down in the annals of our legislative history as one of the unfortunate developments.”
In expressing this dismay the Clerk said that it was regrettable that some State Houses of Assembly were yet foot-dragging on the issue of State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions because “some State Houses of Assembly are still on the issue of passing into law, relevant legislation for the establishment of Assembly Service Commissions.” He further said that in some States, the laws have been passed, assented to but not implemented.
Alhaji Maikasuwa stated that there have been significant improvements in terms of facilities and capacity-building of the Legislature both at the national and state levels since June, 1999. However, a lot still needed to be done in repositioning this very important arm of government which plays a central role in sustainable democracy and development. The Clerk urged State Houses of Assembly to take advantage of the National Assembly Institute to enhance their capacity building to develop their workforce.
Alhaji Maikasuwa also reported that a Bill for An Act to amend the Institute for Democratic and Legislative Studies Act, 2007 has been passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly. He further said that the mandate of the institute is to among others:- Conduct periodic short and refresher courses for National and State Legislators, Staff, Committee Secretaries, Political Aides on democracy and good governance; initiate and encourage legislative drafting courses in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad; provide training courses on democracy, legislative practice and procedure, political culture and political developments; and award appropriate professional certificate and testimonials according to the training and teaching offered to its clients, among others.
The Clerk drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that parliaments the world over were becoming more and more knowledgeable–driven and therefore challenged them not to be left behind, but to place emphasis on what he referred to as e-parliament.
The CNA informed Clerks of State Houses of Assembly that the National Assembly had inaugurated its Planning Committee with a mandate to organize an induction programme for members–elect of the National Assembly. The programme is scheduled to hold simultaneously in the six geo-political zones of the country. The zonal centres are: Akure, Asaba, Enugu, Kano Makurdi and Yola. He therefore enjoined Clerks of States Houses of Assembly to make similar arrangements in respect of their members–elect at the state level.
