The President of the National Assembly of Benin, Louis Gbèhounou VLAVONOU officially opened the work of the first ordinary session of the year 2023. This was coupled with his inauguration to serve a 2nd term in office.
The colorful event which took place at the forecourt and the Chamber of the National Assembly respectively was massively attended by foreign delegations, including the guests from neighboring parliaments of the sub-region, namely Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban BAGBIN, and the First Vice-President of the Nigerian Parliament Mr. Oumarou Yahaya.
Also, in attendance were Ministers of state and personalities from state institutions in Benin.
Louis Vlavonou, the President of the National Assembly, outlined 9 projects on which the house will work within the three months term in office.
According to him, “In the context of these projects, it seems to me essential that we remain focused on the constitutional tasks assigned to our institution, namely the voting of the law, the control of government action and the representation of the people,”
Vlavonou noted that, with regard to the projects to be undertaken under this transitional mandate, the President of the National Assembly invites “consideration of the amendment, if necessary, of the Organic Law on Finance Laws with a view to ensuring an even greater participation of the National Assembly in the orientation and other phases of the budgetary process”.
He is of the firm belief that it is imperative to vote a new law on electoral mapping, in order to update the list, positioning and if necessary, the number of voters of the centers and polling stations throughout the national territory»; to update the “Local Administrative Units Act to correct deficiencies identified in the implementation of the existing Act”.
In addition, the Speaker explained that, in terms of the functioning of the National Assembly and following the recommendations of the retreat organized for the parliamentarians, a new amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the institution could be adopted, to strengthen the number and role of standing committees, clarify ambiguous provisions, integrate the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court or create new structures within the parliamentary administration».
He, therefore, urged his fellow parliamentarians to initiate other laws that they deem appropriate while pledging to conduct himself in accordance with republican standards, as a good leader in the exclusive interest of the citizens and the country.
By Florence D.Y Gbolu
