CPA provides opportunity for inter-parliamentary dialogue- Ini State MP

The Member of Parliament for Ini Constituency of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Lawrence Udoide JP has said the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) annual Conference provides a unique platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue to take place.

According to him, the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held in Accra, Ghana from 1st -5th October , 2023, was the most prominent event as it offers a unique opportunity for the representatives of the associations Parliamentarians and Legislators to network with colleagues from other jurisdictions.

Hon Udoide JP, who attended the Conference for the first time as an Observer said the conference which also served as a common platform for Commonwealth Parliamentarians, in his view would help to discuss common issues that would go a long way to solidify Parliamentary democracy.

**Hon Lawrence Udoide, MP INI STATE CONSTITUENCY**

The CPA’s membership comprises the national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments of the Commonwealth.

The conference was on the theme “The Commonwealth Charter 10 Years On:
Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold”.

Nonetheless, Hon Udoide JP said the CPA should consider involving State MPs and Legislators from small branches.

He commended the CPA Secretariat for taking steps to move the Association from a Charity Organization to a Legislative arm of the Commonwealth.

He said, such a move would help the association members to introduce Bills that stand effective and binding more than the Private Members Bill, which the Executive arm of government has the choice of not implementing it.

The Ini State Constituency MP said the CPA unique position within the parliamentary community would offer a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth when its Bills are passed and become binding on members.

The CPA was established in 1911 and have it’s Executive Committee represents the nine regions of the CPA which includes Africa, Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific; South East Asia.