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Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly led by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Madaki Isa Ajiji have paid a working visit to the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District at the National Assembly Abuja.
The Deputy Speaker explained that they were in Abuja for a capacity building workshop on legislative practice, process and procedures for optimal performance at the Nigerian Institute for Legislative and Democracy Studies (NILDS).
He said they were at the Senate to interface with Senator Lalong in his capacity as Senate Committee Chairman on Electoral Matters as well as a former Speaker, Governor and Minister whose experience is deep and wide in the political field.
They appreciated the audience granted them and said they wanted to tap from his wealth of knowledge as they continue to build capacity to enhance their ability to serve the people.
Also contributing, former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda representing Pengana constituency said Senator Lalong has left indelible legacies in the political landscape of Plateau State and Nigeria particularly in the Legislature where he spearhead the establishment of the Assembly Service Commission and implemented autonomy for Legislature and Judiciary.
He said up to date, Plateau remains ahead of many states on legislative autonomy and institutional capacity due to the foundation layed by Senator Lalong when he was Speaker and Governor.
In his response, Senator Lalong thanked them for the honour and visit which he said showed that his labour in the political scene is being recognised by younger politicians.
He said the earlier battles fought by legislative members from 1999 were not easy but are now transforming the democratic space and strengthening the doctrine of separation of powers which is key to democracy.
He recalled how reform initiatives were resisted and how as Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Speakers, he led a team to the United States to study their system and gain knowledge.
Lalong therefore urged the members to shun self interest and work towards building stronger democratic institutions that will outlive them and benefit the people.
He commended them for maintaining peace and order in the house by putting aside party differences to work for the people that elected them as representatives, noting that the workshop was a good avenue for them to learn modern trends in legislative practice.
Senator Lalong assured them of his support and counsel whenever they required it, saying as a political leader, he knows where to draw the line between party interest and patriotism.
He used the opportunity to inform them about the ongoing Electoral reform which will soon culminate in a public hearing to aggregate the views of the people.
Lalong also said the constitutional review process was also going on and will soon reach a level where decisions passed will be forwarded to them to also carry out their legislative duties.
Dr. Samuel Mbadah of the Training Department, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies accompanied them to the national assembly and said they have been very resourceful in the training workshop.
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