The National Assembly is the supreme law-making body of the state and, therefore, a vital arm of the government. Its principal function is the passing of bills, ratification of treaties, agreements, etc, and formation of task forces on various committees. Its aims and objectives, however, are to enhance its role as a public forum for deliberating on national issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people, and to exercise the best practices of oversight and control functions of its standing committees to enable them carry out its noble objectives, among others.
The Assembly inculcates and encourages through education apolitical culture of tolerance and respect for each other, and thereby promotes peace and stability as a cornerstone for any meaningful and socio-economic development. We urge the Assembly to ensure that Ministers and their permanent secretaries continue to regularly attend the proceedings of the Assembly. Most importantly, during question and answer session and/or to introduce motion/bills and adjournment debates.
It’s important that you always remember your electorate in any decision you take, as any decision taken at the Assembly would have effects on the overall development of the country. Since the current term of the National Assembly members would expire in 2011, it's very important that as people's representatives you live up to expectations. As a matter of fact, the Legislative functions of the National Assembly is not limited to law-making, but authoring the levying of taxes, and appropriating public expenditure.
And above all, to hold public institutions accountable to the electorate. We also encourage people to be going to the National Assembly to monitor the proceedings so as to acquaint themselves with developments. Once again, we wish the Assembly a fruitful deliberation in the 2010 Legislative Year.
"Parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation. You choose a Member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not the Member for Bristol, but he is a Member of Parliament."
Burke Edmund