FINANCIAL AUTONOMY: Speakers seek collaboration with Northern Governors for implementation, good governance
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has seek for more collaboration with Northern Governors Forum with a view to improving on synergy between executive and legislative arms of government at the state level for good governance.
A statement signed by the Spoke Person to the Chairman Abdul Ahmed Burra revealed.
The Chairman of the Conference Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman made the call when he led the officials of the Forum to a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong at Plateau State Government House, Jos, on Monday.
The Chairman also called on the Northern Governors to facilitate the implementation of financial autonomy for legislature and judiciary in their respective states.
“We believe this can better be achieved by ensuring all the Governors in the North and indeed in the country give assent to the Funds Management Bill and Legislative Service Commission Bill in their respective States.
“Your Excellency, we appeal to your Forum to intervene by addressing the issues that led to the strike embarked upon by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria PASAN and Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria JUSUN in the country.” He appealed.
On national security, the Chairman called on relevant authorities to tinker with the security architecture of the nation to provide for community policing with a view to checking insecurity in the country.
In his response, Governor Simon Lalong expressed his appreciation for the visit which he said will cement their relationship which as a result, will enhance good governance.
According to him Governors are not opposed to the Financial Autonomy for State Legislature and Judiciary, however opposed to the Presidential Executive Order 10 which led them court to challenge the constitutionality of the Order
He assured the Speakers that the Governors are set to support the implementation of the Financial Autonomy for State Legislature and State Judiciary
The Northern Governors Chairman advised that the Financial Autonomy should not be misunderstood as a platform for enriching the individuals but rather for strengthening the institutions.
He added that the financial autonomy also meant to train the lawmakers and the staff of the State Assemblies to be able to discharge their responsibility for good governance.
