NGO identifies weak institution, poor resources allocation, as challenges facing Kogi Assembly

A Non-Governmental Organization, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) has identified weak institutional capacity, low resource allocations and deficit in public trust as some of the challenges facing the Kogi State House of Assembly.

This forms part of the communique
issued at the end of a two day retreat for State Legislators and Civil Society on participatory and inclusive Governance through implementation of effective Constituency offices organized by INGRA with support from Civil Society Situation Room.

The Communique was signed by the Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu in Lokoja on Friday.

Hamza said “Kogi Assembly as an institution is weak because the autonomy law that governs the assembly is not fully functional in the State.

“They have administrative autonomy and don’t have financial autonomy. Because of this, the challenges is hampering their work in Kogi State. That is why we are saying it is weak. One of the thing we want to do is to advocate that there should be full implementation of legislative autonomy to give them financial autonomy so that their source of fund will be coming from first charges.

“Also, it is very worrisome that the resources allocated to the Assembly is low. Resources allocation to the House of Assembly need to be improved to ensure they have the required funds to perform their constitutional responsibilities”.

Aliyu, however, observed that, some of the Standing House Committees of the House of Assembly such as the public petitions and Public Accounts committees, have not been as effective as expected.

Aliyu disclosed that, Citizens engagement by the elected lawmakers in Kogi State has not been as robust as it should especially in the area of State Budgeting process.

The communique observed further that there has been a sustained effort by the Kogi State Government at making available information on Government financial statements and Budget to citizens through its online website, stressing that,
the relationship between the Kogi State House of Assembly and the Civil Society has not been as collaborative and robust as it should be.

According to Aliyu “there was a refreshing willingness and expressed commitment by the leadership and members of the current 8th State Assembly to work with the Civil Society. The expectations from citizens of their elected representatives at the House of Assembly, do not sometimes correlate with the constitutional roles and responsibilities of the members”.

He, however, recommended continued openness and transparency in the release of financial documents by the State Government, adding that, it guarantees trust and confidence in the handling of Kogi State resources.

“The demeanour and disposition of the present 8th Assembly leadership and members to work with the Civil Society should be strengthened as it will improve the citizen participation in the activities of the House of Assembly.

“Citizens and stakeholders must lessen their “non constitutional” expectations on the elected House of Assembly members as the current status quo was distractive and unsustainable for the State development.

“There is need for the Civil Society to support the improvement of functions of the House committees especially those that provide transparency in public expenditure and provide a grievance address mechanism. There should and must be deliberate actions aimed at increasing women inclusion in the membership of the House of Assembly.

“The allocations to the social sector of the 2024 Draft Budget must be increased to cater for issues that affect vulnerable citizens. There should be a reduction in the budget allocation to the Administration sector to free up funds for other social sector such as education, health, environment, Agriculture, etc. There is an urgent need to begin amendments of the Child rights Law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Disability Office law to address gaps in their implementations” the communique added.