What NASS Open Week is all about – Senate leader

Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe), yesterday, said the “NASS Open Week” programme was conceived to foster public participation in the democratic process of the country.

Sen. Lawan who chairs the National Assembly Planning Committee of NASS Open Week told newsmen that the programme would broaden public understanding of legislative functions and engender interactions between legislators and other critical stakeholders of the country.

He said the maiden edition of the NASS Open Week would hold between June 25 and 29, 2018.

“Giving the public access to legislative information, activities and policies is a substantial step towards empowering them to take part in political dialogue and decision-making processes,” he said.

“Secondly, the open week signifies the National Assembly’s commitment to increasing accountability and limiting corruption. Allowing public access to the legislature allows stakeholders to scrutinise our actions as an institution.

“Opening the National Assembly means we have nothing to hide. Being able to access this information significantly reduces suspicion and generates trust in government. Thus the open week will address the perennial negative public perception of legislators and the institution of the legislature by bringing closer the public and the legislature,” he said.