Abbas unveils results of capacity needs assessment study by 10th Reps

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday presented the Parliamentary Development Programme (PDP) document to the public.

The PDP document contains results of a capacity needs assessment study conducted by the House. The study the Speaker says was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners.

Addressing representatives of different development partners at the Assembly, Abbas who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said the document reflects the House current capabilities and the urgent requirements needed to elevate the standards of the House legislative functions.

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Dr. Abbas said the House from its inception indicated it resolve to work with development patients in addressing capacity gaps.

This resolve was followed through with the creation of the House Committee on Civil Society and Development Partners. Two novel standing committees were also created: one to monitor the implementation of our Legislative Agenda and another to track the performance of all House standing and ad hoc committees.

The Speaker said “Both committees work closely with civil society organisations and development partners to ensure that the House builds the capacity to deliver on its agenda and the skills required to track and improve performance.”

There was also a third creation, the Programmes Coordinating Unit (PCU) in the Research and Policy division of the Office of the Speaker to work in partnership with the Committees to harmonise and utilise partnership interventions.

The Parliamentary Development Programme document is the first comprehensive and coordinated attempt at systematically identifying the capacity needs of the House and strategies for addressing them.

According to Abas, the “structure of the Report follows the eight thematic areas outlined in the House Agenda.

“Therefore, it makes for a better understanding of the capacity issues related to each thematic area and recommendations for tackling them.

“The Report also contains a capacity-building plan that responds to the needs of the 10th House.”

Remarking on presentation, representative of by UNDP commended the Speaker for championing a coordinated legislative agenda.