By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has said that a functional parliament, with the right support systems in place, is the cornerstone of democracy.
The minister mentioned this at the opening ceremony of the 9th National and States Assembly Service Commissions conference, held at the Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja.
Wike, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also identified the legislative bodies as the heart of democracy, stressing that dedicated individuals who support and serve within them are the lifeblood.
He noted that the theme for this conference, “Excellence in Parliamentary Services: A Panacea for Good Legislation for Democratic Governance” underscores the pivotal role that parliamentary services play in the proper functioning of democracy.
According to him, “it emphasizes the need for excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness in parliamentary services to ensure that our legislative bodies can optimally fulfill their duties to the people.
“I applaud the work that you do, the sacrifices you make, and the commitment you demonstrate daily in the service of our nation.”
According to the Minister, the conference serves as a unique forum for parliamentarians to deliberate, collaborate, and share experiences and insights.
The Minister noted that the conference is an opportunity to foster cooperation, exchange best practices, and learn from one another in the collective pursuit of excellence in parliamentary service, as he implored all participants to engage fully and actively in the discussions that would take place during the conference.
“I equally urge you to collaborate with your peers from across the country to identify innovative solutions that can enhance the quality of our legislative process,” he added.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, disclosed that the objective of the National Assembly Service Commission is to provide the platform for streamlining operational procedures and adoption of common conditions and schemes of service for parliamentary bureaucracy across the nation.
He also stated that the aim was to build an excellent workforce that would provide bureaucratic support for effective legislation for good democratic governance and sustainable development of the country.
Amshi, enjoined all states that are yet to establish a State Assembly Service Commission to do so, stressing that significant achievements have been recorded with the establishment of State Assembly Service Commissions.
