Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to meet global demands for sustainable social development and justice during his speech at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the topic “Parliamentary action for social development and justice” on Sunday.
Hon. Kalu cited Nigeria’s significant legislative achievements in recent years as evidence of the country’s commitment to these goals. He emphasized the establishment of regional development commissions as a key strategy, noting that the Nigerian Parliament had enacted legislation to create four new commissions in the past year. These commissions, he explained, are designed to channel resources effectively and tailor policy interventions to the specific challenges and opportunities of each region.
He highlighted other legislative measures, such as the Student Loan Act 2024 aimed at expanding access to higher education, and the establishment of national commissions for Mass Literacy, Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Nomadic Education, Refugees and IDPs, and Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, he mentioned advancements in healthcare, social inclusion through initiatives like the Not Too Young to Run Act, and economic opportunities through legislation like the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 and Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.
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Hon. Kalu also underscored the importance of the new minimum wage bill in safeguarding workers’ rights and fostering economic dynamism. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for implementing progressive tax reforms and emphasized the parliament’s role in oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
Regarding Africa’s challenges with a significant debt burden, Hon. Kalu posed the question of whether sustainable social development can be achieved under such financial constraints. He advocated for innovative fiscal policies, debt restructuring, and increased global support to address these challenges.
In conclusion, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to human dignity, equity, and sustainable progress in its pursuit of social development and justice. He called upon the international community to prioritize robust oversight and accountability in parliamentary actions aimed at promoting these ideals.