NAN-H-4
NASS
Abuja, Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), an NGO, has urged the National Assembly members to legislate on priority issues that would bring much dividends of democracy to the people, as they resume legislative duty.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani said this in a statement he signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
“These important issues include, socio-economic development, transparent deliberation in the 2017 Appropriation Bill, Constitutional and Electoral Reforms, Constituency Accountability, and Sustainable Security among others,’’ he said
He also called on the federal legislators to fast-track passage of the 2107 Appropriation Bill, ensure increased transparency, accountability in its implementation when passed and assented by the President.
He also called on the NASS to ensure thorough, open and constructive process in the passage of the Bill.
The executive director also advised that budget process and passage should be timely and devoid of scandals as well as undue distractions and sensationalism.
According to him, such will make significant improvement in the social and economic life of the people.
Musa said that the organisation was aware of the existing efforts by the legislators toward the passage of Petroleum Industry Governance and Institutional Framework Bill 2015, adding that accelerated passage was needed.
“ We urge the legislators to allow citizens’ input into the appropriation process, so that it can reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.
On INEC, he said, ‘’We call on the legislators to identify key laws and priority areas for reforms, to empower INEC and relevant electoral bodies.’’
He said that this would enable them to deal with perpetrators of serious offences in the electoral process and ensure a level playing ground to boost competitive elections among other advantages.
“We call on the legislators to strengthen their working relationship with their respective constituencies to ensure qualitative and citizen-led legislative process.
“Intensify its oversight functions on security sector to complement and sustain the nation’s recent achievements at combating insecurity in the country. (NAN)
COO/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed