In order to deliver good governance and democratic dividends to the electorate, the lawmaker representing Bonny constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Abinye Pepple has called a functional synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The lawmaker made this call during an induction programme for members-elect of Rivers and Delta State Houses of Assembly organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Port Harcourt.

According to statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Jumbo, the all-important induction, which captured issues on Rule of Law, Democracy, Vision Nigeria and Prosperity for All, also highlighted Deepening of Democracy, Propagation of the Rule of Law, Promotion of Peace, Freedom, Justice and Development through International Cooperation.

Speaking during the programme, Abinye Pepple stated that “there is absolute and fundamental need for parliament to continue to enjoy common synergy with every arm of government”.

On the issue of handling excutive advanced appropriation bills otherwise known as budgets, the lawmaker posited that “the rules guiding the house is clear on issues of appropriations and it’s not within the powers of the house to introduce any item outside what is captured in the appropriation bill”.

He maintained that the legislature “rather can make amendments where necessary or appropriate but cannot introduce any other item altering the documents”.

According to the statement, topics covered during the one-day induction programme included Legislative Functions and Process: Powers, Ethics and Privileges, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Principle of Separation of Powers, Parliamentary Protocol, Standing Orders, Motions, and Debates and Resolutions.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung/Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a German political organization charged with the promotion of democratic values.