News Post

Know Your Parliament

LEGISLATIVE INSTITUTE AMENDMENT BILL SIGNIFICANT TO NASS, SAYS SARAKI

LEGISLATIVE INSTITUTE AMENDMENT BILL SIGNIFICANT TO NASS, SAYS SARAKI
The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has averred that the initiative to expand the scope of mandates of the National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS is one that is very significant to the National Assembly. He said in furtherance of the Institute's mandate of serving as a center for continuous education and legislative capacity building hub, there is need for it to incorporate democratic Studies in its scheme of services. He noted that to achieve the intentions of the proposed amendment, it also calls for a change of name of the Institute. Adding that "this would be the third time NILS will be changing its name since its existence as Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP)". 

Speaking on Monday, February 20, 2017 at the opening ceremony of a Public Hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Saraki who was represented by the Deputy Minority, Sen. Emmanuel Buacha stated that the Public Hearing affords the Institute the opportunity to explain the rational and essence of the proposed amendment, including the change of name. While calling on critical stakeholders to avail their opinions, critique and contributions to the Committee, the Senate President also commended members of the Committee for putting together the Hearing, especially in this period of economic downturn. 

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Emmanuel Paulker hinted that the Bill was referred to its Committee after an extensive deliberation on the floor of the Senate plenary. Noting that the Merits of the legislation was objectively considered which informed the Public Hearing in other to collect and harness stakeholders inputs. He promised that his Committee would be treated with all seriousness it deserved. "Viable input of critical stakeholders would enrich the work of the Committee on the Bill" he stated.

When invited to make her presentation, the Director General of NILS, Dr. Ladi Hamalai traced the origin of the NILS Establishment Act have stemmed from an initial Bill seeking for the establishment of Centre for Democratic Studies, sponsored then by Sen. Ken Nnamani in the 6th Assembly. She stated that the initial intention of fully accommodating all stakeholders both within and outside the legislature in the sphere of democratic governance, makes the amendment necessary. 

She also informed that the gray areas in the amendment Bill, bordering on undertaking periodic review of budget processes and analysis of government which has been a major source of conflict and discomfort, particularly as it relates to the functions of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO). The DG submitted that through dialogue and inter-institutional collaboration a consensus was reached on the matter and it was agreed that the sections of the proposed amendment which may duplicate the functions of any other organ of the legislature should be deleted. "What is important to us now is the expansion and change of name" She submitted.





Share this Post: