Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, has voiced his support for implementing a part-time legislature at both federal and state levels, suggesting this could significantly reduce government expenditure and enhance public trust in the political system.
In an interview published on his verified Facebook page over the weekend, Senator Kalu (APC-Abia North) detailed his proposal.
“I think it will be a very good idea if my colleagues and other members of the Houses of Assembly will agree that we can sit for three months and do constitutional amendment first,” he stated.
Kalu elaborated, suggesting that legislative bodies could convene four times a year, with provisions for emergency sessions as needed. This, he argued, would allow for more efficient governance without the need for full-time legislative operations.
“Not only the Senate and the House of Representatives, but all the legislative houses in Nigeria will be part-time,” he added.
In addition to promoting part-time legislature as an austerity measure, Kalu advocated for regional government as another cost-saving alternative.
“If we’re going for a regional government, it also means that the ministers, the legislators will be the same. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of how we can save money to run Nigeria because the country needs money,” he explained.
The senator urged the President and the National Assembly to consider these legislative changes, emphasizing their potential to benefit the entire nation.
He also addressed the common misconception that senators receive excessive compensation, highlighting the need for a constitutional amendment to facilitate part-time legislative sessions.
“That will bring trust and bring relief to the Nigerian people,” Kalu concluded.
Senator Kalu’s statements reflect his ongoing commitment to reducing governmental costs and fostering a more efficient and trustworthy political system in Nigeria.