Stakeholders underscores importance of public hearing in the making of laws

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has underscored the essence of Public Hearing in the passage of laws and called on Kogi State House of Assembly to widen the level of participation of the citizenry in the evolvement of laws that have to do with their well-being.

The call was made on Saturday during the Bi-Monthly Meeting of the State-level Advocacy and Legislative Engagement Forum organized by Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Lokoja.

The meeting was organized by the Situation Room in partnership with Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) with support from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development of the UK International Development.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu said the forum which was inaugurated on November 2, 2024, had achieved more than 80 per cent of its mandate.

Aliyu who was represented by Mr Ikechukwu Mpama, the Project Officer, said the forum had as one of its objectives, the desire to increase citizens participation in the passage of bills to reflect the aspirations of the people.

He said that the forum was also mandated to help increase the people’s awareness in Constituency Offices for legislators with a view to enhancing the functionality of the Constituency Offices saying that their impacts are yet to be felt.

Aliyu said that the Forum had carried out the project of Public Hearing, organizing a Constituency Town hall meeting in each of the three Senatorial Districts and a special retreat for the state Assembly legislators.

“So far, we have carried out the three Constituency meetings and recorded 90 per cent success.”

In his contribution Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution (CHRCH) and Human Rights Activists, Idris Miliki Abdul charged CSOs in the state to be ready to work hand-in-hand with the state Assembly in organizing public Hearings.

“A situation where bills are passed within 24 hours was not good for the State.”

He underscored the essence of Public Hearing in the passage of bills saying, “We should continue to advocate for public hearing no matter the pressure from the Executive Arm. There is need for follow up because without follow up, sustainability will be impossible.

Idris Ozovehe Muraina, Chairman of Kogi Non-Government Organizations Network (KONGONET), also frowned at passage of Supplementary Budget without inputs from the public.

He called for engagement of the House to see if it is possible for the public to have a say in the passage of Supplementary Budgets.

Muraina called on the CSOs to avail themselves of any window of opportunity for public engagement in Supplementary Budget passage.

Aminu Oseni Okutepa, Executive Director, Lugard Youths Development Initiative (LYDEI) said, “We should engage not only the legislators but the Executives to know when they want to go to the House with their supplement Budgets. This is Democracy and everybody must be engaged.”

As for Mr Nathaniel Abaniwo, “There’s need to keep this forum alive.