Senate moves to strengthen parliamentary relations abroad

The Nigerian Senate is in moves to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations with other democratically developed countries and to enhance their oversight functions.

Speaking at the Committee meeting on Inter-parliamentary Affairs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District disclosed that she, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim representing Ondo South District and other lawmakers would embark on a study visit to parliaments in other countries.

The visit, she stressed, will enable them to observe legislative activities of other countries, deepen relations with them, take record of their best practices and improve on them when they are back home.

According to her, there was a need to study the parliaments of other countries with higher numbers of female representatives and find out their experiences.

She said: “We will also conduct oversight functions in State Assemblies to ensure effective governance and accountability.

“This initiative is part of the Senate’s objectives to build inter-parliamentary relationships within Nigeria and internationally and to enhance its oversight function.”

In his remark, the Chairman of the Committee, Jimoh Ibrahm said, they would visit their State Assemblies on oversight functions to interact and how they were managing their people at the lower level.