BY BEN AGANDE
ABUJA — The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has said part of his legislative agenda in the Senate was to collaborate with the executive arm of government in order to truly transform Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Mark enjoined his colleagues to brace up for the challenge of providing qualitative legislative framework for the country.

According to him, “we need to be transformational in depth and content of our work, legislative representation and oversight functions. Our legislative agenda is enormous”

Mark also advocated a radical budgeting system that would ensure effective implementation of Appropriation Acts, and put an end to the perennial excuses of inability to implement budget.

He emphasised that “our budget system needs a radical change. There is a need for collaboration between the executive arm of government and the National Assembly to ensure that Nigerians get a budget that can be effectively implemented.”

He enjoined his colleagues to be passionate, patriotic, diligent and imbibe team spirit and hard work in the discharge of their duties.

“We come from different constituencies but we are united in our quest for the provision of basic needs like electricity, food, good health, roads, education, security of lives and property, shelter and transport system.

“Our federation and economy need strengthening. Our youths need jobs. To achieve these; we need appropriate laws and legislation,” he said.

He added that the seventh Senate would build on the achievements of the past  by consulting widely with all stakeholders including civil society and organised private sector in order to make laws that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

Expressing his appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, Mark promised that he would hold the  mandate in ” trust for you, work with you and together, we shall work for a greater Nigeria of our dreams.”

He reminded his colleagues that the expectations of Nigerians from the 7th Senate were high, saying: “We must be guided by national interest, peace and unity of Nigeria in our actions and utterances at all times.”