National Assembly’s 2018 budget will be made public – Senate Leader, Lawan

Majority leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has again assured that the
2018 budget of the National Assembly would be made public.

He stated this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the
objectives of the 'Open NASS' initiative designed to increase public
access to the operations of the National Assembly.

Lawan, who heads the special committee set up to organise "Open Week
Event' billed to take place from June 25 to June 29, described the
initiative as an evolving one, adopted by parliaments all over the
world.

According to him, "Increasingly, governments around the world are
promoting initiatives in transparency. Governments that are open and
transparent are more accountable to their citizens and are less likely
to be corrupt.

"Openness generates trust in government and also paves the way for
meaningful participation by citizens and more informed and better
policies. Around the world, an increasing number of parliaments are
being more proactive in the provision of information.

"This has become easier with the proliferation of the internet and
access to Information Communication Technology (ICT). Many parliaments
are now uploading significant‎ documents such as daily order papers,
draft laws and committee reports for distribution.

"It is against this background that the national assembly has
initiated the Open Week to open the national assembly to the public."

Lawan emphasised that the event would broaden public understanding of
legislative functions and processes and engender interactions between
legislators and key stakeholders.

"Series of activities during the 'Open Week' will include interactive
sessions with various interest groups, question and answer sessions.

"It also includes exhibitions and tours, planned over a four-day
period to raise awareness on legislative initiative and activities,"
he said.

Lawan had last week described the Nigerian Senate as the misunderstood
arm of Government Since its inauguration in 1999, stressing that most
Nigerians think senators do nothing to justify their huge salaries and
allowances.