BY AHMED AKANBI
The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, has called for the adoption of evidence-based decision-making in parliamentary processes to strengthen governance.
He made the call on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a five-day training and induction programme for members and technical staff of the Committee on National Economy, Parliament of Uganda, at the NILDS complex.
Sulaiman said in every democracy, Parliament is not only responsible for making laws, but also plays critical roles in public accountability, fiscal scrutiny and economic governance.
He said the responsibilities of Uganda’s Committee on National Economy are particularly important to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development through effective oversight.
The NILDS boss, a former Minister of National Planning, stressed that public financial management, fiscal discipline, debt sustainability and government expenditure remain critical determinants of growth.
He, therefore, urged legislators and technical staff to base decisions on credible evidence, research and reliable data to enhance quality of legislation.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Avur Jane Pacuto, described Nigeria as a strong democratic nation from which Uganda could learn valuable lessons.
She appreciated NILDS management and Sulaiman for the opportunity, describing the training as beneficial to strengthening parliamentary capacity.
The five-day programme is expected to deepen participants’ knowledge in legislative practice, economic governance and parliamentary oversight.
It will also build skills in evidence-based decision-making at national, sub-national and regional levels.