CSO urges house to focus on bills, oversight for good governance

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June 13, 2017 3:40 PM

Adeyanju, said that the lawmakers had done well in the passage of important bills and promotion of transparency.

Acting President with the leadership of the National Assembly

Conscience Nigeria, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged the 8th National Assembly to give more attention to oversight functions and life-improving Bills as it celebrates two years anniversary.

The Chairman of the organisation, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, made the call in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeyanju, however, said that the lawmakers had done well in the passage of important bills and promotion of transparency, but added that there was need for improvement.

“They have passed some laudable bills, including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, and other bills that will improve the quality of lives of Nigerians."

“Again, they have also been able to make public their budget which has not happened since 1999, so, we give kudos to them."

“At the same time, they have yet to come clean on the issue of budget padding that we are still talking about."

“The leadership of the current national assembly should ensure that the people responsible for budget padding are brought to book,’’ Adeyanju said.

He advised the legislators to ensure that bills handled by them reflected the aspirations of Nigerians, saying that there were still hunger, unemployment, kidnapping and other social vices in the land.

“We need crucial bills to address these issues,’’ he said, adding that the assembly should give more attention to oversight function by ensuring that the executive arm was doing its job as expected.

This, according to Adeyanju, will make the country better in the area of infrastructure, human, social and economic development.

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