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The Senate President, David Mark, has again reiterated his earlier promise that the present crop of legislators in the National Assembly will not engage in any form of rivalry or power tussle but will collaborate with each other to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
Mark spoke in Abuja yesterday while declaring open the interactive session between the members of the National Assembly and selected government departments and agencies.
According to Mark, the legislators have resolved to work harmoniously to build trust needed to make progress in all sectors of the economy.
He said, “When it comes to working as a team, there is only one National Assembly, there is no need for an agency to seek clearance from the Senate and go further to House of Representatives for another. When we work together, things work smoother.
“Public service is a trust. As we all know, the legislature is the least understood arm of government in our country. Therefore, as representatives of the people, we must earn and maintain public confidence and trust.”
The Senate president further claimed that, “When it comes to working as a team, there is only one National Assembly; there is no need for an agency to seek clearance from the Senate and go further to House of Representatives for another. When we work together, things work smoother.
“Public service is a trust. As we all know, the legislature is the least understood arm of government in our country.”
Mark added that when both chambers engaged in feud, it distract the legislative process which could deprive the citizenry the opportunity to enjoy the benefit of democracy.
The president of the Senate further admonished legislators across board to hold the standards that place the public interest above private interests, saying the interactive session was timely and assured that there would be several follow-up sessions to foster constructive dialogue and partnership with all stakeholders.
Mark said, “I believe that experts in our midst, especially the Budget Office, will explain the dynamics to follow in the course of budget formulation and implementation so as to minimise the amount of time talking to pass appropriation bill in the National Assembly.”
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, had earlier in his welcome address, called for cordial relationship between the Senate and the House to facilitate passage of bills into law and enhance cordial working relationship between the three arms of government.
Makaisuwa added that efforts of the government could only be progressive when there was collaboration among all tiers of government.
The interactive session witnessed presentations from some government departments and agencies such as the National Planning Commission (NPC), Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Budget Office, Office of the Accountant -General of the Federal, Code of Conduct Bureau, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
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