The Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Prof. Abubakar O.Sulaiman has disclosed that the Senate would open discussion on electoral reforms and insecurity in the country.

The DG made this known on Thursday at the retreat for Senators on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms at Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Sulaiman explained that the retreat’s focus on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms demonstrates the commitment of the National Assembly to align with fiscal and sectoral reforms.

“In a broader perspective, permit me to note at this juncture that this retreat should be viewed as part of the ways and means of enhancing the knowledge and strengthening the technical capacity of senators in the discharge of your responsibilities generally, support the deepening of your knowledge and skills on public financial management and identifying how the Senate can support the committee on the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

“It is to also strengthen measures to further enhance legislature–executive relationships and address issues of insecurity, which have hampered meaningful development.

“Furthermore, the retreat will open discourse on Electoral Reforms as part of democratic consolidation in light of the experiences gained with the operation of the 2022 Electoral Act in the 2023 General election,” he stated.

Speaking earlier, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen stated that the high revenue spent on debt servicing constrains the fiscal space for other developmental needs, adding that the multiplicity and duplication of taxes impact negatively the nation’s efficient tax system.

He stated that the House of Representatives was committed in its collaboration with the Senate to tackle the nation’s fiscal problems through the implementation of appropriate legislative frameworks and measures.