Politics
Bauchi state House of assembly backs financial autonomy for legislature
By Nigerian Tracker
Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Abubakar Y Suleiman has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Executive Order 10 that gives financial autonomy to State legislatures and judiciary.
He made the commendation during an interview with our reporter in his office.
According to the Speaker, financial autonomy to States Legislature and judiciary is a welcome development because the two arms of government will be strengthened for speed flow of dividends of democracy.
Abubakar Y Suleiman, Bauchi Speaker
“Financial autonomy of States legislature and judiciary will eliminate the long bureaucracy especially in accessing finance and funding for running their affairs. This will strengthen the institutions at the states so that they will be more accountable active thereby enhancing transparency and strengthen democracy.
On whether there will disharmony between the Legislature and the Executive Speaker. Abubakar Suleiman said he don’t think the financial autonomy will affect their existing harmonious relationship.
“Rather, it will consolidate our relationship since we are working for the same goal; delivering dividends of democracy to the entire population of the State.
“In fact a lot of burden is lifted on the Executive. The Legislature and judiciary will not disturb the Executive; give us this, give us that. You can see even at the federal level, though the national assembly has financial autonomy, that has never affect it’s relationship with the presidency. And luckily for us in Bauchi our Governor was a legislator, he has utmost respect for all the arms of government.
“So I assure you despite the financial autonomy, we will continue to work in harmony with the Legislature. In fact our relationship will be consolidated more than ever before” the Speaker added.
However, the Speaker fears that the successful implementation of the Order will face some hitches such as the fiscal discipline especially in the legislative arm should be brought into bear and the formula of distribution that would be put in place to sustain the autonomy.
“The structure and the lay out of the Executive Order in my humble view will make implementation so difficult. For instance, section 2 of the Order which demands that state government should set up committee for determination of the Budget, is this feasible” He asked.