EMBRACING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY A NECESSITY, NOT AN OPTION -CLERK
09-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Clerk to the National Assembly Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana has emphasized that, the use of technology in the Nigerian Parliament is not an option but a necessity as the world embraces technology to make things including making laws more easier.
He stated this in his opening address at a three days retreat organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC
Mr. Ogunlana noted that the theme of the retreat “Building an Accountable, Transparent and Resilient Parliament; the role of the National Assembly Top Management” resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving National Assembly Service landscape which he said presents a vital opportunity to reflect, strategize, and lay actionable plans that will shape the future of the National Assembly Service.
The Clark emphasized that the National Assembly Service is dynamic and continually facing new challenges and at the same time opening up for fresh opportunities.
“Our agenda in this retreat, is not limited to addressing these challenges and exploring new areas that lie ahead of us but to create innovative team building plan to harness our human assets”
He noted that there should not be any hesitation to integrate digital technology in parliamentary practices and processes, stressing that failure to integrate digital technology in parliamentary practices may expose the Parliament to the risk of another shutdown as it was experienced during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 and the consequent lockdown in 2020.
“The National Assembly should be intentional in adopting the concept of E-Parliament because this reduces paperwork, allows lawmakers to participate in sessions and vote without being physically present, gives members of the public access to parliamentary proceedings, documents and records online, makes tracking by the Management of legislative processes including the drafting, debating and amendment of bills easier. We must deliberate on the implementation strategies that will bring this vision to life at a minimal cost”
Mr. Ogunlana emphasized that Parliaments worldwide prioritize security and should be allowed to establish and manage their own in-house security outfits which are called Sergeant-At-Arms in most Commonwealth countries.
” I urge you to come out with innovative ideas or mechanisms for regulating access control and identification process with a view to enhancing security within the National Assembly complex”.
In his address, the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Bashir Yero said that, the world is evolving and the National Assembly should not be left behind.