Saraki unveils his agenda to lead 8th Senate

A principal contender for the Senate Presidency, Bukola Saraki, yesterday unveiled his agenda for the 8th Senate.

In an interview with reporters in Abuja, Saraki said if his colleagues gave him the opportunity to serve them as President, he would ensure openness, transparency and accountability in running the affairs of the Senate.

He also said the public will be better enlightened about the functions of the legislature, especially as it affects making laws that would impact positively on their lives.

According to him, the Senate under his leadership will take responsibility for ensuring good governance.

Saraki said his confidence has been further boosted by the quality of men and women who will be part of the 8th Senate.

This, he said, would make the task lighter because he and his colleagues would be on the same page in the area of probity and accountability.

“One of the things I have observed in our engagement with many Nigerians out there, they wonder, ‘what do they do there? What happens in the National Assembly?’

“There’s no connection between the National Assembly and the Nigerian people. I hope that the Eighth Chamber, under our leadership, would begin to bring a closer relationship, a better connection between the Senate and the Nigerian people.

“Some of the laws that we would pass are laws that would have direct impact on the lives of our people. Secondly, in the areas of representation, we must improve in being able to connect, and interact with the people we represent.

“I also think there are some bills that are priority bills. In doing that, I think, one, in the area of delivery of Justice; I think it’s a key area. All the things we talk about, whether its security, rule of law, anti-corruption and even on the commercial side, we need to look at that.

“We need to look at electoral reform because that would strengthen our democracy. These are bills I believe are key. We need to priorities these bills.

“Some of our responsibilities in the area of oversight, we really need to improve on that. No matter and whatever we say, some of the issues that we have seen, on things that have happened over the last few years, we cannot but take responsibility, that there’s poor oversight, and that’s an area we must improve upon.”