A Functional Parliament, Critical To Democracy- Wike

By Remi Johnson

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike says a well-functioning parliament, with the right support system in place, is the cornerstone of democracy.

Wike stated this during the opening ceremony of the 9th National and States Assembly Service Commissions conference, held in Abuja.

Wike, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also identified the legislative bodies as the heart of democracy, stressing that dedicated individuals who support and serve within them are the lifeblood.

The Minister said the theme, “Excellence in Parliamentary Services: A Panacea for Good Legislation for Democratic Governance” underscores the pivotal role that parliamentary services play in promoting a functional democracy.

“I applaud the work that you do, the sacrifices you make, and the commitment you demonstrate daily in the service of our nation; it emphasizes the need for excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness in parliamentary services to ensure that our legislative bodies can optimally fulfill their duties to the people.”

He urged them to take the conference seriously to deliberate, collaborate, share experiences and insights.

“I equally urge you to collaborate with your peers from across the country to identify innovative solutions that can enhance the quality of our legislative process,”.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, revealed that the objective of the State Assembly Service Commission is to provide the platform for streamlining operational procedures and schemes of service for parliamentary bureaucracy across the nation.

He added that the aim was to also build an excellent workforce that would provide bureaucratic support for effective legislation for good governance and sustainable development of the country.

Amshi, therefore, called on states that are yet to establish State Assembly Service Commission to do so, stressing that significant achievements have been recorded with establishment of the Commission.