The e-Parliament project is the digital transformation of parliamentary processes in the Benue State House of Assembly. This initiative aims to integrate modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve transparency, efficiency, accessibility, and citizen participation in lawmaking.

The project is poised to make the Benue State House of Assembly Nigeria’s first fully digital subnational legislature, positioning the state as a trailblazer and a national benchmark for smart, cost-effective, and citizen-driven lawmaking. This project is aligned with the Digital Benue vision and seeks to drive wider public inclusion and demonstrate visionary leadership in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC) will undertake the project, which includes both the soft and hard infrastructure and the required technical expertise. The Benue State House of Assembly Committee on ICT will supervise the project.

Global Benefits of e-Parliament

Globally, e-Parliaments allow legislatures to conduct virtual sittings and manage paperless documentation. They also enable public access to legislative information in real time and use online platforms for petitions, consultations, and public hearings. This creates smarter, more open, and people-focused democratic institutions.

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced transparency and trust: Citizens can follow legislative activities in real time through livestreamed plenaries and open document repositories.
• Improved citizen participation: Digital petitions and feedback systems encourage broader public engagement.
• Operational efficiency: Automated workflows accelerate bill tracking, committee work, and voting.
• Cost savings: E-Parliaments lead to a reduction in printing, courier services, and travel logistics.
• Crisis-resilience: Virtual sittings ensure governance continuity during events like pandemics, conflicts, or natural disasters.
• Global collaboration: It is easier for parliaments across borders to share experiences.

Benefits to the Benue State House of Assembly

The e-Parliament project will provide several specific benefits to the Benue State House of Assembly and its constituents. These include:

• e-Petitions/Complaints Portal: This portal allows constituents to submit petitions and complaints online 24/7, ensuring transparent tracking and timely responses. It also improves the accountability and accessibility of elected representatives.
• Virtual Public Hearing Platform: This platform will enable wider stakeholder participation, including rural dwellers, citizens in the diaspora, youths, and people with disabilities (PWDs), without requiring their physical presence in Makurdi. It enhances the quality and depth of legislative consultations and public inputs.
• Reduction in Printing & Administrative Costs: The digital management of committee reports, bills, minutes, and other documents will significantly reduce costs associated with printing, photocopying, physical filing, and travel. Real-time online collaboration will also curb repetitive printing caused by revisions or budget redrafting.