Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has condemned the waste of resources caused by the duplication of projects and programs by federal, state, and local governments, as well as foreign donors. He expressed concern over the significant waste incurred from these duplications and vowed that the 10th House of Representatives would work with the United Nations to address Nigeria’s security challenges and their socio-economic impacts.
CALL FOR BETTER COORDINATION IN FOREIGN INTERVENTIONS
Speaker Abbas emphasized the need for better coordination and harmonization of interventions by foreign bodies to optimize the use of limited resources. He made this call during a meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Fall, and his team in Abuja.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SECURITY CHALLENGES
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the issues raised by Mr. Fall regarding Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the shifting focus of insecurity from the North-East to the North-West. He expressed appreciation for the early identification of these issues by the UN.
URGING INCLUSIVITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Speaker urged the UN and its agencies to ensure inclusivity and engage local communities and traditional rulers in their projects. He also called for regular regional consultative forums to enhance the effectiveness of interventions.
CONGRATULATIONS TO UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR
Speaker Abbas congratulated Mr. Fall on his appointment, noting his familiarity with Nigeria and the West African region. He expressed confidence in Fall’s capacity and experience and assured of the House’s readiness to collaborate with the UN and its agencies.
PRAISE FOR HISTORIC COLLABORATION WITH THE UN
The Speaker highlighted recent successful collaborations with the UN, including the signing of a Parliamentary Development Programme Agreement with the UNDP aimed at developing the capacity of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives.
UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR’S REMARKS
In response, Mr. Fall acknowledged the long-overdue meeting and expressed his commitment to addressing the complex challenges facing Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s success for the broader African region and sought the Speaker’s support and guidance. Fall also highlighted the need to monitor food prices and mitigate the impact of economic challenges on the populace.
ONGOING COLLABORATIONS
Fall’s delegation included Peace Development Advisor Kim TooGood, UN Consultant Hajiya Maryam Uwais, and Press Officer Seyi Soremekun. The UN Resident Coordinator reiterated his commitment to regular engagement and collaboration with Nigerian authorities to address the country’s challenges.