By Joseph Edegbo :
The Special Adviser, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, has reiterated the significant role of the legislative arm of government in supporting and monitoring the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the State.
Mrs. Hammond, who stated this at a one-day training session held for Legislative Support Officers in Lagos State on Wednesday at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, maintained that the promotion of increased policy coherence is crucial to making progress in the global journey.
Speaking on the theme, “Imperative of High-Impact SDGs Session for Legislative Support Team and Constituency Functions Towards Enhancing Legislative Actions in Realising the SDGs in Lagos State”, the Special Adviser, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abosede George, observed that meaningful engagement with parliamentary functionaries is essential in identifying gaps that need to be addressed in localising the global goals.
“Successful implementation of the SDGs requires the involvement and support of all relevant stakeholders. It is equally very important to identify the decisive role played by legislation in the advancement of SDGs targets”, she said.
While describing the imperative of coordinating strategy between the executives and the legislative, Hammond explained that the 2030 Agenda recognises the cardinal roles of parliamentarians in ensuring political buy-in, financing and accountability to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Special Adviser posited that the Office of SDGs and Investment has continuously developed a strategy to collaborate and coordinate with the legislative, Non-Governmental Organisations and other relevant global agencies in promoting the SDGs.
“The achievement of SDGs is a long-term common interest, it should be built on a consensus among all political actors and parties, whether in the executive or parliament”, she said.
Mrs. Hammond further revealed that to promote a fair distribution of public resources, parliaments should ensure that local governments and local councils are involved in the implementation of the development policies.
Delivering a paper on the “The Legislative and Executive Handshake in Mobilising for Development”, a Consultant from ICON Consult, Mr. Olufemi Tinuoye, disclosed that having a support structure with the legislature represents a significant step towards positively harnessing power in the delivery of the sustainable development agenda.
“Based on examples of good practice that could serve as sources of inspiration, it is vital to identify gaps that need to be addressed in the legislative responsibility towards the attainment of the 2030 Agenda”, he disclosed.
The event was well attended by all the Legislative support teams of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
