" [1]The Pan African Parliament (PAP)’s First Ordinary Session of its Third Parliament opened in Johannesburg, South Africa today, with a clarion call for the continental legislative body to have more powers to act.
Speaking at the official opening of the session which was chaired PAP’s President Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, the Chairperson of the African Union and President of Benin, Boni Yayi paid tribute to South Africa, the hosts of the Pan African Parliament, for its permanent support to PAP and its mandate. President Boni said PAP had a crucial role to play in supporting Africa’s developmental efforts.
In his vote of thanks to the Session, NEPAD Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki said he was convinced that parliamentarians could contribute toward the promotion of NEPAD projects and programmes as they are themselves vectors of NEPAD programmes.
“In two weeks’ time, we will participate to a joint workshop organised by the South African Parliament and the PAP on the role of parliaments in strengthening Energy industry in Africa for a sustainable development I’m therefore convinced that these relations can be reinforced for a better execution of our missions,’’ said Dr Mayaki
The Pan-African Parliament also known as the African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union. It held its inaugural session in March 2004. It exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers. Initially the seat of the Pan-African Parliament was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but it was later moved to Midrand, South Africa.
The PAP President’s sentiments that time had come for the body to gain legislative powers if Africa were to build strong institutions of governance and development, were echoed by several other speakers at the opening session.
New Members of Parliament from Tanzania, Algeria, Uganda and Niger were sworn in at the session, which will run until October 19, 2012.
Dr Mayaki consulting with AU Chairperson and President Benin H.E. Boni Yayi.
