Rwanda Conference 2021: Aniekan Bassey received as Executive Member of Commonwealth ParliAniekanament
The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has lead members of the 7th Assembly took the 17th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – African Region, currently holding in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Conference which was officially opened on 24th November 2021 is held under the theme “AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY” and will last through November 28, 2021.
The conference geared towards building strong legislative synergy among members States to enhance development of the region will also focus on topics such as “Presiding Officer in a changing Society: Strategies for floor management of radical dissent and minority Government”; and “The Relevance of Parliamentary Immunities, Powers and Privileges: Country experiences”
Founded in 1911 as Empire Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), is an organisation which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights.
The Association, which has its Headquarters Secretariat situated in London, currently has approximately 180 branches and is divided into nine regions: Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic, India, Pacific, and South-East Asia.
Speaking on the Conference, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey recounted the gains of CSPOC, stressing that it will broaden the ambit of legislative business and help build accordance in governance, particularly in the State legislature.
The Vice Chairman of Conference of Speakers of the State Legislatures and Chairman, South South Speakers’ Forum who was recently appointed Member of Executive Committee of the CPA was formally received during the conference.
Members of the 7th Assembly who accompanied the Speaker to the CSPOC include: Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, House Leader, Rt . Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanuso, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong and Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem.
