Nigerians For Good Government Policies    Nigeria Policy Institute, USA

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2^ND NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON PROACTIVE LAWS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ORGANIZED BY THE INITIATIVES (A LEAGUE OF CEREBRAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)  

The second National Roundtable organized by The Initiatives held on Tuesday, 20^th May, 2008 at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja . The forum kicked off at exactly 10.55am and had in attendance, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker, the Minister of National Planning, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), members of the National and State Assemblies, members of the Diplomatic Corp, Federal and State government officials, intellectuals, journalists, civil society groups and other stakeholders in the Nigerian Project. The forum discussed Vision 2020 Economy and Nigeria in the Top 20 Bracket -  Tasks and Strategies, presented by the discussant, Hajiya Amina Ibrahim, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs.

 The forum observed and recommended as follows:  

1.    The participants commended the Initiatives for the laudable idea of organizing the roundtables and expressed optimism that the quality of information and knowledge placed at the disposal of legislators, who participated in the roundtable will manifest in qualitative debates and bills passed by the National Assembly.  

2.    Participants observed that the concept of good governance is primarily rooted in social justice and the rule of law, which are central to the present government’s Vision 2020.  

3.    The Roundtable noted the need for a synergy between the tripod of governance (executive, legislature and judiciary)  

4.    The idea of the Initiatives is consistent with the ‘Seven Point Agenda’ aimed at making Nigeria one of the Top Twenty largest Economies in year 2020.  

5.    Participants observed the need for private sector participation towards the realization of the Vision 2020.  

6.    The participants observed that Nigerians are generally skeptical and cynical about government plans as a result of persistent failures of previous plans and visions.  

7.    Participants observed that there is a disconnect between the developmental plans of the federal government and other levels of government.  

8.     Participants observed that the country’s educational system is weak and produces graduates, who are unemployable and who lack the requisite skill towards attaining the “Vision 2020’.  

9.    Participants noted that power is critical in the attainment of the MDGs and the realization of ‘Vision 2020”.  

10.     Participants observed that corruption is the bane of the nation’s development.  

11.    Participants observed the need for the National Assembly to develop effective legal framework towards the realization of the ‘Seven Point Agenda’, the MDGs and ultimately, the Vision 2020.  

RECOMMENDATIONS  

1.    Participants recommended the regular hosting of roundtables by the Initiatives on other topical National issues, and urged the Executive, the leadership of the National Assembly and well meaning organizations to support them in that regard.  

2.    The Roundtable recommended the enactment of proactive laws that would reflect the fundamental objectives and directive principles of State policy enshrined in the 1999 constitution.  

3.    The Roundtable recommended regular consultation and collaboration among the three arms of government in pursuit of the ‘Seven Point Agenda and Vision 2020.  

4.    The Roundtable employs Nigerians to develop a strong faith in the country’s ability to achieve and sustain vision 2020.  

5.    The participants recommended the need for concrete actions at the federal level to be replicated at the State and local government levels, for the achievement of the MDGs.  

6.    The Roundtable recommended the revamping of the education system to have the capacity to take advantage of opportunities created by the developments at the National and International level . 

7.    The Roundtable recommended the use of alternative energy sources to boost the power supply in Nigeria for the achievement of Vision 2020.  

8.    The Roundtable recommended the creation of a social security system to provide welfare for the increasing number of the poor and vulnerable in the country.  

9.    The participants recommended the promulgation of enabling laws for the ‘Seven Point Agenda’ of the present administration.  

10.  The participants recommended the promulgation of proactive laws to curb corruption in Nigeria .

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Last modified: October 06, 2008