A Civil Society group, Nigeria Civil Society Desk on Thursday in Abuja called for increased funding of the nation’s legislature to enable the arm of government surmount daunting challenges and sustain democracy in the national interest.
In a press briefing at the National Assembly, the group’s National Coordinator, Emeh Friday Eleojo explained that no amount of funds expended on democracy was too much, while insisting that the 3% of annual budgetary allocation to the National Assembly was grossly inadequate.
“In view of enormous challenges facing our legislatures, we are of the view that as from 2017 budget, a minimum of 10% of federal government’s fiscal allocation be given to the National Assembly as well as states and local government legislative bodies”, the group insisted.
The group expressed disappointment that the executive arm has deliberately starved legislative arms of funds thereby reducing the institution to a toothless bulldog.
It added that the situation has worsened as a result of struggle for power.
It said legislative arms were unable to assert themselves in line with constitutionally guaranteed powers in order to develop the society.
“It is unfortunate that in the latest manifestations, any attempt by the National Assembly to assert itself in line with constitutionally guaranteed powers and functions, is easily challenged in the public to mean confrontation with executive arm”, the group maintained.
Comments