Kaduna Governor El Rufai Advocates Financial Autonomy For Legislatures

Governor Nasir El-Rufai says an Executive Bill will be sent to Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday seeking financial autonomy for the legislature.

“Our Bill will go to the House on Wednesday and I hope it will passed very quickly so that we can put in place the necessary framework as soon as possible,” he told newsmen.

He said that the move was to enable the legislature to function more effectively and efficiently.

The news conference held on the side-lines of the on-going 8th edition of the National and State Assembly Service Commissions conference holding in Kaduna.

“We must preserve our democracy and work consciously to develop it. And part of that development is granting the legislature financial autonomy,’’ the governor said.

He stressed that the executive arm of government in Kaduna state had always been supporting the legislature.

“Kaduna State House of Assembly will tell you that we have great respect for their financial autonomy and solvency,’’ he said.

Gov. El-Rufai said the agitation by states Houses of Assembly for financial autonomy was “a welcome development.

The governor said that governments must develop the legislature and this could only be done through better funding and sharing of ideas.

He said the Kaduna conference would enable all states assemblies’ service commissions to brainstorm and proffer better strategies to support the legislature.’’

“I call on my colleague governors not to be scared of anything but to do what is right and things will work better in the interest of everyone. We are elected to serve the public and not to protect our personal interests,’’ El-Rufai stressed.