by Adelaja Adeoye
Political environment is synonymous with sweet promises most of which are not achievable which do lead to loss of trust in leadership, this is common in our clime, however we have few exceptions to this and one of the steadfast person that keep to his promises is the current Senate President of the National Assembly in the person of Dr. Bukola Saraki, whose emergence as Senate President made him the Chairman of National Assembly a position that is strategic and core in rebuilding the legislative arm of government to make people have feel of true and genuine representation.
It’s on record that since emergence as President of the senate, and in keeping to terms with the public mandate that produced him, he made it a point of duty to post weekly activities on the Upper legislative chamber. This feat is in keeping to terms with principle of running open administration as senate of the people to enable input from members of the society.
The daily reportage of activities of the senate is in line to show his commitment to transparency and public accountability, which Is been deepened in the two way communication channels which provides avenue for direct unfiltered feedback from the people.
THE 8TH LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF THE SENATE IN PERSPECTIVE.
The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President of the 8th assembly despite all odds and party internal contradictions is enough to be made a special case. While the tide and zoning was against him, one wonders how he still survived the odds. The brain behind his emergence was as a result of his input as a senator of the federal republic while he served his first term and also his critical engagement of the public paved way for him and he beats ‘them’ to it. Some of the people oriented bill traceable to him during the 7th Assembly are:
a. National Oil spill detection and Response Agency amendment Bill 2012 – which focuses on oil spilling in Niger Delta.
b. The Gas flaring prohibition Bill 2012 – which focuses on generating more incomes from Gas rather wasting it.
c. Climate change commission Bill 2013 – this was developed from his experience as a Medical Doctor that understood the implications of Ozone depletion, radiation and Environmental toxics. And help sponsored this Bill to establish a Commission to legislate, advocate and deals on climate change issues in Nigeria.
d. Motion on FUEL SUBSIDY as a conduit pipe for diverting Nigeria money.
The hurdles he crossed to emerge prepared him to to set a pro active people oriented legislative agenda. Starting with composition of:
THE SENATE COMMITTEES;
A critical assessment of composition of 8th Upper chamber committees places Professionalism, Experience, Ranking and past antecedents on who gets what and chaired which committee to ensure required productivity. The selection committee of the senate was thorough. And within the last six (6) months, the oversight and committee work so far has reposed back the confidence of both the Political society and Civil Society members, that indeed we have a Senate to work with.
The landmark output which is significant that passes through the senate within the last six months despite the distractions and fifth columnist include but not limited to:
APPROVAL OF MEDIUM TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET:
The 8th Assembly led by Sen. Bukola Saraki (Turaki of Ilorin) approved the MTEF which is to form basis for spending of government. The conscious speedy approval of MTEF which forms basis for passage of supplementary budget was unprecedented as it also emphasize need to implement the fiscal responsibility act which ensures that all ministries and agencies of government should submit their expenditure and should be captured in the budget proposal. Mr Senate President in his wisdom and in fulfillment of his legislative agenda also suggested the need to include expected Subsidy payment for October – December to round up 2015 subsidy issue at once in the supplementary budget.
WHAT NIGERIANS SHOULD EXPECT IN 2016 FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE:
a. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT; The Senate President having built his 8th legislative agenda around PEOPLE has promised Mr President Muhammadu Buhari that this National Assembly will pass a Budget “that will de-emphasis recurrent expenditure and priotize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population”. This we can see in the budget proposal submitted and the welcome speech made by Senate President. This will be possible based on the pre MTEF already approved by the senate under his leadership.
b. ADHERENCE TO RULES OF LAW AND PRACTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY.
He has reiterated this several times of the need to adhere to rule of law and constitutional principles which will further guide and save our democratic process. Adherence to this principle will make the arm of government more responsive and their constitutional roles will be easily carried out which include but not limited to lawmaking, legislating and oversight along with budgeting which is core and shows how responsive a government can be.
c. LEGISLATION THAT WILL REBUILD CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS:
The 8th Assembly built around the PEOPLE have vowed to legislate in all sectors of our economy to provide a Budget and other legislations that ” must also be bold and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive Environment that will promote private sector led development, encourage local production and promote made-in Nigeria goods”. Either by Tax exemption or waiver on importation of manufacturing tools and machines or by making more money available to Bank of Industry or Commercial Banks with very low charges. This we will need to be on the look out for as once done private investors will be encouraged to invest and by that provide job for teeming masses.
d. CONSTANT AMENDMENT AND REVIEWING OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOTTLENECK FROM LAWS TO ENSURE DEVELOPMENT AND SECTOR GROWTH; The Saraki led senate has promised Nigerian that 2016 is to settle down for economic growth and developments and all the impending laws causing administrative bottlenecks will be amended.- The Senate President said “we recognise that a Harmonious National Assembly is essential not only on legislative progress but also for the Executives to function effectively” And this could only be achieved with good legislations.
e. BUSINESS SECTOR GROWTH AND INVESTOR DRIVE ECONOMY: Both the Senate and House of Representatives understood the need for industrial growth to directly create employments to our graduates and unemployed youths and earn more incomes from taxes and royalties. To this they have collectively marshal out plans for ” passage of laws that will further enhances our business environment and promotes accountability in governance.
f. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATIONS: Sen Bukola Saraki as a private sector trained business man understood the need to diversify our economy to a non oil revenue driven economy and has promised the PEOPLE of Nigeria laws that will support non oil earnings to build infrastructures and make life better. The budget presentation and framework further collaborate this as the economy will be diversify this time unlike what it’s obtainable. And in doing this, implementation of fiscal responsibility act will be adhered to at same time ensure that oversight is taking serious to ensure full implementation of the appropriated budget.
CONCLUSION;
The Ilorin born politician,and the Chairman of National Assembly promised Nigerians to “Expect a Transformational Economic policies in 2016”. Many who knows him will agreed that if in 2001 as SA Budget he can put all mechanism for effective Budget implementation and performance measure then he can do better now as Senate President. This he will do regardless of distractions. His commitment to national development and peace cannot be over emphasized. In doing this, all stakeholders must be on same page to give required support for the senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and at same time ensure that distractors are put on check to ensure required delivery.
Adelaja Adeoye is a blogger, social/political commentator who writes from Lagos Nigeria. Twitter @AdelajaAdeoye.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
