Ugandan lawmakers, led by Committee Chairman Philip Opolot, are in Nigeria to study the constituency project system. Their workshop, organized by NILDS, focuses on Nigeria’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and aims to improve legislative practices in Uganda. The initiative highlights the importance of constituency relations and effective fund management in democratic governance.
Members of the Ugandan parliament’s Committee on Budget have visited Nigeria to examine the country’s constituency project system. During a workshop organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Chairman Philip Opolot emphasized their aim to understand Nigeria’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Opolot noted that in Uganda, funds are managed by the executive, which determines the necessary interventions. Discussions are ongoing in Uganda about empowering lawmakers to manage their own CDFs, as they are better acquainted with their constituencies.
The NILDS Director-General, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, stressed the significance of robust interactions between legislators and constituents to optimize the use of CDF. He highlighted CDF as essential in modern democracy, ensuring legislators address collective citizen needs.
Sulaiman asserted that constituency relations serve mutual benefits, helping legislators gather crucial policy inputs from constituents while allowing constituents to express their needs directly. He identified effective management of CDF as pivotal for grassroots development, ensuring transparency and alignment with national goals.
Ambassador Philip Odidah, the Ugandan Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, praised the National Assembly’s leadership for its dedication to strengthening legislative institutions in Africa. He stressed the vital role of parliaments in democracy and the responsibility of legislators to enact laws that reflect citizens’ aspirations.
Odida commended the capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping Ugandan lawmakers with critical tools for legislative effectiveness and democratic engagement. He encouraged parliamentarians to engage fully with the insights shared at the workshop to foster inter-parliamentary cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria.
The visit by Ugandan lawmakers to Nigeria underscores their commitment to enhancing legislative efficiency through the study of Nigeria’s constituency project system. The workshop facilitated valuable discussions on the effective management of constituency development funds, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships between legislators and constituents. The insights gained from this collaboration are anticipated to inform ongoing efforts in Uganda to empower lawmakers in their roles.
Original Source: nannews.ng
