The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has called for greater public recognition of the role state legislatures play in driving development, arguing that many government achievements are only possible because lawmakers approve and appropriate public funds.
This is contained in a press statement made available to journalists by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed.
Speaking during the third anniversary of the 8th Kogi State House of Assembly in Lokoja on Thursday, Umar said development projects executed by the executive arm of government are products of collaboration among constitutional institutions and the public must begin to understand that.
According to him, roads, schools, hospitals, employment programmes and social intervention schemes across Kogi State were made possible because the Assembly scrutinized, approved and appropriated resources for their implementation.
“Every road constructed, every hospital upgraded, every school established, every teacher recruited, every examination fee paid, every social intervention implemented and every development project executed was made possible because the people’s representatives sitting in this Assembly scrutinized, approved and appropriated public funds for those purposes,” he said.
The Speaker stressed that while governors and other executive officials deserve recognition for implementing projects, lawmakers also play a constitutional role in authorizing expenditure and providing the legal framework for government programmes.
“Therefore, while the Executive deserves recognition for implementing projects and programmes, the people must also appreciate the critical role played by their elected representatives who approve the resources and provide legislative backing for those initiatives,” he stated.
The Speaker used the occasion to highlight the legislative performance of the 8th Assembly, disclosing that the House considered 23 bills during its third legislative session, out of which 19 were passed into law.
He added that since its inauguration three years ago, the Assembly has processed a total of 76 bills, passing 59 and leaving 17 at various stages of legislative consideration.
He described the figures as evidence of a productive legislature committed to lawmaking, oversight and effective governance.
The Speaker also commended the relationship between the legislature and the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing it as cordial and productive.
According to him, cooperation between the two arms of government has accelerated development across the state and strengthened democratic governance.
Rt. Hon. Umar further paid tribute to former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, whom he described as a leader committed to the unity, stability and development of Kogi State.
He urged lawmakers to remain focused on accountability, transparency and effective representation as the Assembly enters another legislative year.
The Speaker said the legislature would continue working with the executive, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society groups and development partners to advance the state’s development agenda.
