Over the years, the issue of part -time legislative measures to better Nigeria and her economy have gathered momentum. Several debates and discussions have surfaced online about this issue.
The former governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007 and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, aired his thought on part time legislative measures to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is of the view that, houses of assembly should operate on a part- time legislative basis or on a regional basis. This is seen in an interview on his Facebook page.
(https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QxTyogtGdRTA8bke/?mibextid=iCjFHx)
Senator Kalu, who represents APC from the Abia North senatorial district, says it will be a very good idea if his colleagues in the houses of assembly will agree to sit for three months and do constitutional ammendment first”
As an effective part-time measure, the sitting could be four times in a year and when there are emergencies. Orji Uzor Kalu believes that it will help run Nigeria, help Mr. President, the system and everyone.
On the other hand, he emphasised that,
“If we’re going for regional government, it also means that the ministers ,the houses will be the same. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of how we can save money to run Nigeria because the country needs money. I will encourage the President, the National Assembly to make this. kinds of laws. This will help him, and this will help the system, and this will help everybody,” he said.
He advised a quick constitutional ammendment on the matter of part -time measures so that the the senate, house of Representatives and other 36 state houses of assembly in Nigeria can comply as it would help the nation cut costs of governance and enhance the citizenry’s trust and belief.
The former President debunked the persistent ideology of the salary of Senators.
He identified that, ” We are being paid almost nothing in the senate, I sit in the senate. When people discuss the salary of the Senator and other people, I laugh because it is nothing to be written home about”.
