Former President of the Senate, David Mark, yesterday, tasked the 10th National Assembly to prioritise its legislative agenda that addresses national malaise, including forestalling controversial or inconclusive elections in future.

He listed some of the problems facing the nation to include deteriorating economic situation, high crime rate, unemployment, farmers-herders clashes, banditry, terrorism, food shortage, insufficient and decaying infrastructure, out of school children and poor health facilities.

Mark, in a statement after a two-day retreat for principal officers of the 10th National Assembly in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend, noted that although the problems were primarily not the creation of the legislators, but Nigerians elected them to proffer solutions.

He spoke on the theme, “improving legislative effectiveness in a multi-party legislature through committees and caucuses.”

To address the myriad of problems, he told the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led National Assembly to be innovative, think and act outside the box, pointing out that “it cannot be business as usual.”

Mark added: “You must therefore design a legislative agenda that can provide a legal and regulatory framework that will support government initiatives and policies. The agenda must show in clear and concrete terms how to address the issues facing the nation.

“It must respond to critical national issues like growing the economy, job creation, tackling insecurity, anti-corruption and show synergy between the legislative agenda and the executive programmes.
“You must honestly debate government policies to ascertain the merits and demerits without party sentiments; Standing committees must be properly equipped in their composition to vigorously oversee Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”

He submitted that the 2023 general elections remained the most controversial since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
A development, Mark said, led to the emergence of new parties against the hitherto dominant two.

The interest and enthusiasm displayed by the youths, he stated, were a direct disapproval and dissatisfaction with the old brigade, insisting that Nigerians expect the 10th Assembly to legislate to ensure a better or less controversial elections in the future.

Mark held that committee systems and caucuses are essential mechanisms for balancing diversity and promoting effective representation in legislative houses.

He continued: “By fostering inclusivity, encouraging dialogue and providing platforms for diverse voices to be heard, you can strengthen legislative effectiveness, and ensure that the laws and policies you make truly reflect the needs and aspirations of all citizens for the good of all.”