Ex-Speaker Dogara seeks stronger NASS-CSO partnership to improve oversight, accountability

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called for a deeper collaboration between Nigeria's National Assembly and civil society organizations (CSOs). He stressed that robust partnerships are essential for enhancing legislative oversight and ensuring that public funds translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

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The essence of oversight is to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved and that Nigerians receive value for public funds.

Speaking at the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, an event designed to foster transparency and public participation, Dogara highlighted a persistent gap between appropriated funds and the actual delivery of projects and services. He argued that legislative oversight must evolve beyond routine inspections to become an effective mechanism for combating corruption, preventing waste, and ensuring the prudent use of public resources.

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The essence of oversight is to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved and that Nigerians receive value for public funds.

Dogara commended the current leadership of the House of Representatives for sustaining the Open Week, describing it as a vital platform for strengthening public engagement with parliament. He believes that initiatives encouraging direct interaction between lawmakers, CSOs, and the media bolster democratic accountability and public confidence in institutions.

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The essence of oversight is to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved and that Nigerians receive value for public funds.

He further advocated for CSOs to be viewed as strategic partners rather than mere critics. Dogara emphasized their unique position, often possessing technical expertise and community-level insights that can significantly strengthen legislative oversight. He referred to CSOs as the "eyes and ears" of the legislature, playing a critical role in monitoring projects, tracking expenditure, and identifying implementation gaps.

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The essence of oversight is to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved and that Nigerians receive value for public funds.