By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
As a way to improve legislative competence, the members of Ebonyi state House of Assembly and House Committee Clerks have embarked on two days workshop on Legislative oversight orientation at Nike Lake Resort Enugu.
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According to statement issued by the Public Relation Officer of the house, Sylvester Egede, the State Speaker,Rt Hon Moses Odunwa maintained that the training becomes necessary as a framework for legislative business as to enhance optimal performance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chief Moses Ije Odunwa said the workshop would equip and strengthen the competence and Knowledge of the lawmakers in handling legislative matters especially in their oversight functions.
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The State Chief lawmaker who was delighted with the USAID State2State team for identifying with the Ebonyi State legislators on the issue of improving the quality of lawmaking urged members to pay attention to the lectures so as to enhance their potentials for legislative excellence .
Hehowever used the forum to
expressed concern on educating the electorates on the role of legislature which is lawmaking and not execution of projects.
In his remarks,the State Team Lead of USAID State 2 State, Dr Sam Onyia said the purpose and objective of the agency was to increase accountability, transparency and effectiveness in targeted States and Local Government Areas in Nigeria for a period of five years and Ebonyi was the only State selected in the South East region.
Dr Onyia highlighted on key reform gaps requiring legislative intervention which include Internally Generated Revenue expansion strategy, automation of budget and financial reporting, procurement law, audit law and basic education.
Presenting a paper titled Overview of legislative functions, Mr Ahmed Mohammed said the oversight duties of the legislature is a critical governance function aimed at checkmating excesses, incompetence and activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as other government bodies to ensure positive results.
Also,in a paper titled Overview of subnational public financial management framework and the role of the legislature in ensuring good governance, Dr Olugbenga Oyewole highlighted on the importance of resources, mobilization of funds and expenditure managements in governance.
