The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu says the House must ensure that all its legislative interventions are tailored towards meeting the needs of Nigerians through good governance.
He made the statement while delivering his goodwill message titled “Planning with Facts and Evidence” at the 2-day retreat in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, organised for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
Kalu said that it was incumbent on the parliament to discern the needs of the people and address them.
He said; “It is our responsibility to discern the nation’s most immediate needs and address them accordingly. This data-driven approach not only reflects the principles of good governance but also ensures that our legislative actions are tailored to the evolving needs of our people.”
He also said that the role of the legislators extends far beyond the hallowed chambers
of the National Assembly, stressing that “it encompasses the welfare and aspirations of every Nigerian citizen.”
The Deputy Speaker further stated that in the relentless pursuit of a more perfect Nigerian union, the parliament must elevate the importance of data in its decision-making processes, stating that it must align with the principles of participatory democracy, which champion public engagement in all legislative endeavors.
He said that “the needs and aspirations of the people must be incorporated when sculpting the national budgets by the parliament rather than leaving such a critical task to the discretion of the heads of MDAs who may not always prioritise the greater good due to ignorance of facts and data from the people.”
The Deputy Speaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State explained that “the retreat served as the bedrock for harvesting needs analysis results directly from the voices and experiences of the people,” acknowledging that the raw
materials for legislative works should emanate from unbiased, data-driven input of the people represented.
Kalu said; “The facts and data we collect through rigorous needs assessment should
not merely serve as statistics; they should be the guiding light that illuminates the path to more effective legislative procedures and products.
“After all, we craft laws for the people, and it is only equitable that the people actively shape the society they envision.”