Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas make the remark at the house development partners’ stakeholders meeting on Monday 19th at the House of Representatives, Abuja.
Says ” it gives him a deep sense of fulfilment to join others at the official public presentation of the results of the capacity needs assessment study conducted by the House with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners.
“The results are presented today in a document titled Parliamentary Development Programme. This is in line with our Legislative Agenda, which identifies the strengthening of the internal capacity of the legislature as a critical factor towards achieving all our other legislative objectives. As a result, the document before us today reflects our current capabilities and the urgent requirements needed to elevate the standards of our legislative functions.
The need for continuous capacity strengthening in the legislature is well known to us all. The high turnover rates at the National Assembly pose a significant challenge to maintaining continuity and building on the institutional knowledge crucial for effective governance. In this Tenth Assembly, over 80% of the members are new to the legislature. This phenomenon, combined with the growing expectations of our citizens for transparency, accountability, and efficiency, underscores the urgent need for a robust framework for capacity building within the legislature.
As evidenced by the level of engagement, especially on social media, our constituents are becoming increasingly aware and involved in the governance process, demanding greater accountability and better service delivery from their representatives. This heightened expectation requires us to be at the forefront of legislative knowledge and practices. Also, the intricate landscape of modern governance demands a higher level of expertise, analytical skills, and adaptability among our members and supporting staff.
The UNDP’s Capacity and Institutional Needs Assessment Study has laid bare the gaps in our current system. It has highlighted areas where the House needs to strengthen its capabilities to meet the demands of contemporary governance. These include but are not limited to strengthening our lawmaking functions, enhancing our legislative drafting capabilities, improving our research and analysis functions, bolstering our oversight mechanisms, and advancing our engagement with the citizens we serve.
In view of these challenges, we must embrace a culture of continuous learning and capacity development. We must invest in human capital development, ensuring that Members, staff and legislative aides are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of modern legislative work. This involves not only formal training programmes but also fostering an environment that encourages innovation, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the issues facing Nigeria.
From the onset, the House has shown commitment to collaborating with partners towards addressing capacity gaps. We created the Committee on Civil Society and Development Partners to, among others, improve the interface between the House and civil society actors. We have equally set up two novel standing committees: one to monitor the implementation of our Legislative Agenda and another to track the performance of all House standing and ad hoc committees. Both committees work closely with civil society organisations and development partners to ensure that the House builds the capacity to deliver on its agenda and the skills required to track and improve performance. Furthermore, we set up the Programmes Coordinating Unit (PCU) in the Research and Policy division of the Office of the Speaker to work in partnership with the Committees to harmonise and utilise partnership interventions to ensure that all committees and departments of the House receive necessary and equal attention.
As we reflect on the findings of this study, let us also acknowledge the support of our development partners, including the UNDP, whose expertise and assistance have been invaluable in identifying our needs and charting a path forward. However, the responsibility to act on these findings rests with us all. It is a call to action for the House and all Members to commit to a comprehensive plan for capacity development that addresses the identified gaps.
The Parliamentary Development Programme document being presented today represents the first comprehensive and coordinated attempt at systematically identifying the capacity needs of the House and strategies for addressing them. The structure of the Report follows the eight thematic areas outlined in the House Agenda. Therefore, it makes for a better understanding of the capacity issues related to each thematic area and recommendations for tackling them. The Report also contains a capacity-building plan that responds to the needs of the 10th House.
In conclusion, the resource requirements for effectively addressing all the capacity issues identified in the Report are enormous. I wish to state that the House is willing to play its part by committing the necessary funds to improve internal human and institutional capacity. However, I would like to solicit the kind and generous support of all stakeholders. I am delighted to note that the UNDP has indicated its willingness to collaborate with the House in allocating funds and mobilising other donors, development and technical partners. On behalf of the House, I sincerely appreciate all our partners, including PLAC, KAS, YIAGA Africa, CISLAC, PEAL, NASSBER, BUDGIT, ORDERPAPER and others, who are already supporting various committees and activities of the House and the Office of the Speaker. We look forward to a more fruitful engagement in the months and years ahead.
Let us work together to build a House and a National Assembly that is responsive to our citizens’ needs and resilient in the face of challenges. By investing in capacity development, we lay the foundation for a more accountable, efficient, and effective Parliament, that is equipped to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians and the demands of the 21st century.
It is now my honour to present the Parliamentary Development Programme for the 10th House of Representatives. He concluded.