The National Assembly has resumed plenary today after a 30 day holiday.
Expected to be top among the agenda for discussion on the floor includes, Security, Foreign Policy, State Policing, among others.
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, in a statement titled: ‘House resumption: Key issues expected to shape second half of legislative year’, made available to Parliamentary Correspondents stated that the increasing security challenges and consistent call for community-led policing structure in the country, including foreign policy will top the agenda for deliberations at the floor of the House of Representatives as the Green chamber resumes today.
Hon. Rotimi said: “In spite of major efforts by the Federal Government to boost economic growth, a lot still needs to be done to ameliorate the pains felt by constituents across the country.
“The House will continue to support the Executive arm of government in the implementation of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, and hold entities of the executive arm of government accountable.
“Efforts in these regards will include ensuring efficient and effective deployment of public resources especially through the use of hearings and oversight visits.
“The House will also enhance the Sectoral Debates started in November 2023, to promote transparency and accountability in government operations in line with our Legislative Agenda.”
Hon. Rotimi, also said that the House has considered 500 motions on pressing matters affecting the people during the past six months, and he stressed the House commitment towards ameliorating the suffering of constituents, and contributing to Nigeria’s overall peace and development.
“Remarkably, in just 6 months, many other short and even medium term goals as outlined in ‘The People’s House Legislative Agenda’ have been achieved. Thus, looking forward, as the House resumes full legislative business this Tuesday, the following issues are expected to frame legislative proceedings and deliberations, and define the second half of the first legislative year (June 2023 – June 2024).
“These are: security: The country is currently experiencing rising security challenges in the form of kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities. Even Abuja, the federal capital territory, has not been left out, and has witnessed the abduction and murder of innocent citizens.
“The Plateau Crisis which elicited a statement from Mr. Speaker, amongst other security issues in the country, continues to put these issues on the front burner. Expectations are rife that the People’s House will take bold steps in addressing insecurity from a legislative standpoint.
“Constitution amendment: There have been increased calls from stakeholders, on the need for the National Assembly to cure the 1999 Constitution of its perceived defects. The efforts of previous assemblies which have resulted in five alterations to the document between 2003 and 2023, is widely considered inadequate.
“Agitations for amendments to key areas have intensified, including calls for the establishment of state and community-led police structures; justice sector reforms; fiscal federalism; strengthening local government administration and increased devolution of power; e.t.c. As the House resumes, Nigerians would be looking to the Rt. Benjamin Kalu-led House Committee on Constitution Review to make progress in the efforts for further amendments to the 1999 constitution (as amended).
“Electoral reforms: As preparations intensify for the off-cycle elections in some states of the federation in the second half of 2024, the calls for electoral reforms will continue to dominate conversations in the country.
“Nigerians will be looking to the National Assembly for key reforms of the electoral process as we promised in our legislative agenda, to, amongst other things, improve the transparency and credibility of democratic ritual of elections, provide for stiff sanctions for electoral offences, and stem the judiciary’s influence on the electoral process, and ‘over-judicialisation’ of electoral outcomes in a way that undermines public confidence, and could erode the legitimacy of political leadership.
“Legislative oversight: In line with the commitment to anti-corruption and improved legislative oversight under its Agenda One: Strengthening Good Governance, the House streamlined the mandates of committees to avoid overlap and conflicts. It also rationalised the Membership of committees to enable more informed decision-making, better management of workload, and improved legislative quality.
“On resumption, the House is expected to undertake more public hearings (including investigative panels) to probe a number of issues before the various Standing Committees. Between June and December 2023, the House constituted 30 Ad-hoc Committees to conduct investigative hearings and make recommendations on pressing national issues for necessary legislative action. With the reports of 25 already submitted and four considered, the reports of the other Committees will occupy the front burner on resumption.” he stated.
