The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, underscored the pivotal role of an accessible, transparent, and accountable parliament in fostering a sustainable democracy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He expressed this viewpoint during the inauguration of a National Dialogue hosted by OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, a prominent legislative think-tank in Nigeria. The event took place in Abuja yesterday.

The deputy speaker, in his address, highlighted the profound relevance of the dialogue’s theme, “Mainstreaming Open Parliament into the 10th Assembly Legislative Agenda….CONTINUE READING

” He noted that this theme deeply resonates with the fundamental principles of participatory governance that the current lawmakers are dedicated to upholding.

Kalu emphasized that for the 10th Assembly to attain the ambitious objectives outlined by the Open Parliament Index (OPI), it must prioritize the standards set by the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Principles of Parliamentary Openness, and the democratic parliament indicators established by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

He further explained that the 10th Assembly is firmly committed to leveraging technology and innovation to enhance transparency and participation in its proceedings.

Recognizing the significance of digital advancements in today’s rapidly evolving world, he stressed that an open parliament should employ digital tools to bridge the gap between citizens and their elected representatives.

Participatory governance, according to Kalu, holds profound significance and is more than a mere catchphrase for the 10th Assembly.

It forms the cornerstone of their legislative agenda. The assembly intends to establish mechanisms that empower citizens to actively engage in the legislative process, ensuring their voices are acknowledged, and their concerns are addressed.