The Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that the conference which will run from September 8 to 12, at the National Assembly Complex, is titled “Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees.
The lawmaker explained that the conference is expected to attract more than 300 participants, including lawmakers, auditors, fiscal policy experts and public finance professionals from across West Africa and beyond.
He recalled that WAAPAC was established in 2009 following a World Bank Institute seminar in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Parliamentary Centre (PC).
Salam explained that Legislature of Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone participated in that historic session, where it was resolved to create a sub-regional body that would strengthen parliamentary accountability through peer learning and knowledge sharing.
“The five-day event will focus on building the capacity of PACs and Finance Committees for effective oversight of public debt and borrowing.
“It will examine debt trends and risks in the region, define parliamentary roles in debt governance and develop strategies to ensure debt sustainability.
“The General Assembly will also deliberate on WAAPAC’s organisational growth and governance and close with country-specific action plans to strengthen parliamentary oversight of public debt across West Africa,” he said.
Salam said that the conference provides a robust platform for learning, engagement and experience-sharing among committees and key stakeholders.
According to him, it will help advance fiscal responsibility and transparency across the sub-region.
Salam also confirmed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen Abbas will declare the event open, while the Minister of Finance will deliver the keynote address.
He urged the Nigerian media to give the event wide coverage, describing it as an opportunity to showcase Nigeria as host of one of the most important parliamentary accountability conferences in Africa. (NAN)
