by Abang Veronica
Since 1999, Nigeria's
legislature has always been shrouded in secrecy as perceived by members
of the general public. Nigeria has also maintained a closed-off
status-quo under a one-party system that was characterized by the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remaining in power for sixteen years.
However,
following the sweeping election victories of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) earlier this year, on the 6th of August, the Senate
President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki challenged the APC-led Senate
Committee on Rules and Business to evolve an e-parliament system. This
system will work to foster transparency in the affairs of the Senate and
open a new chapter in Nigeria’s legislative history.
With
the implementation of an e-parliamentary system, it will no longer be
business as usual in the Senate as Nigerians will be able to see
activities happening in and around the senate.
This
new development is a bridge that will link the Nigerian people to the
senate; members of the public will be part of the legislative process,
such that bills passed and those yet to be passed will be open for
public scrutiny.
Aside from the establishment
off an open system allowing the public an opportunity to be part of the
entire assembly's processes of law making, the issues concerning
budgetary allocations and what each member of the senate earns will be
made public; stopping what is currently being speculated in Nigeria
media.
Under this system, members of the senate
will have to work with a paperless system of operation, enabling work
to be done in an easier and faster fashion. Every activity just or
unjust will be speedily spread across senate members and members of the
public.
Another vital feature of the
e-parliament system will be the digitization of the assembly library,
and also ability of Members of the Senate to access information from any
location.
In addition to all these mentioned
above, voting for bills, assets, salaries, allowances, will be made
public. Applications will be created to enable members of the house cast
their votes on any issue instead of saying “ayes” or “nays”. For
example, the outcome of votes, accompanied by each senator’s bio data
will be displayed on a public screen and also online for public view.
This
I believe was triggered by the rising trend in information technology
all over the world and Nigeria cannot be left behind. And also, Senator
Bukola Saraki just like every Nigerian must have been tired with the
modus operandi experienced in the senate over the years. In addition to
this, the Senate President is living the dream of his party, the APC
that preaches change and I believe Nigerians are beginning to experience
the change indeed.
Recently, Senator
Bukola hosted youths of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) in his
office, in commemoration of the World Youth Day. In the meeting, The
Senate President highlighted key areas that the Senate is working on
presently like; NNPC Act, Rice Waver, Infrastructure etc. He went
further to inform everyone present that the Senate started the debate on
finance committee report on OpenNASS. This as we all know is in line
with the commitment of the 8th Assembly to maintainting transparency and
accountability in the Senate.
Finally, the
e-parliament system satisfies the call for #OpenNASS, as #OpenNASS
stands to seek for transparency and accountability in the budget of the
National Assembly. The e-parliament system will ensure total
transparency; by encouraging openness in the war against corruption, and
also satisfy the call by members of the civil society groups for full
details of N120bn budgeted for the National Assembly this year.
This is one step that will fast track the growth we all seek; recreating the Nigeria of our dreams.
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