President Bola Tinubu Wednesday said the nation needs collective efforts to tackle the challenges militating against it.
Tinubu made the call in his remarks at ‘House Open Week 2024’ and the presentation of the 10th House of Representatives one-year scorecard at the National Assembly Arcade in Abuja.
He therefore harped on the need for executive and legislative collaboration without jettisoning the significance of effective oversight for greater accountability to all Nigerians who elected both arms of government into different offices.
The president who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume urged the lawmakers to also organise town hall meetings with their constituents to get their opinions about governance in the country, hence not every citizen has the opportunity to attend the event in Abuja.
Tinubu tasked the lawmakers to engage in robust oversight of the activities of the executive arm of government and the creation of platforms for engagement with the Nigerians pledging his commitment to collaboration with the legislative and judicial arms of government to ensure an all-inclusivity,
“The chosen theme, improving inclusion through citizens’ engagement is apt timely and vital because it underscores the importance of no doubt, the need of executive and legislative collaboration but also the significance of effective oversight for greater accountability to all Nigerians that elected us into office in different capacities.
“Our gathering here today, I must say, is happening at a critical point of our nation’s journey, journey to greatness. The challenges before us demand collective efforts that obliterate political differences in all forms,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas stated that the 10th House under his leadership has ensured an inclusive and participatory legislature in the past one-year.
The speaker also noted that the House has been implementing its Legislative Agenda, which it introduced in October 2023.
“Through town hall meetings, public hearings, and stakeholder engagements, we have ensured that the legislative process remains inclusive and participatory. This approach not only enhances the quality of our laws but also ensures that our decisions are rooted in the genuine needs and desires of the Nigerian people. No chamber of the National Assembly has undertaken such an initiative.
“By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to transparency and readiness to be held accountable by the people we serve. Presenting our Scorecard publicly allows us to showcase our achievements, acknowledge our challenges, and highlight our plans for the future. It reinforces the idea that the parliament is not just a body that makes laws but an institution that is responsible to its constituents for its actions and performance.
“Explaining the sectoral importance of legislative interventions of the House in the last one year, Speaker Abbas noted that a critical appraisal was informed through a robust study that highlighted the various efforts and their impacts using key standing committees of the House with a view to providing accurate feedback mechanism that serves as a guide for future legislative engagements.
“Findings from the study reveal significant developments in legislative activism. In its first session, the House introduced 1,351 bills, the highest number in any first session since 1999. Of these, 89 bills were passed, reflecting the House’s commitment to legislative efficiency and effectiveness. The legislative agenda prioritises economic empowerment and diversification to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on oil exports. Key bills include the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity sector by promoting investment in renewable energy sources.
On public hearings, the speaker said “Analysis of sessional reports from committees of the First Session of the 10th House reveals that committees conducted numerous public hearings between November and December 2023. Also, as of June 13, 2024, 679 motions were moved on the floor of the 10th House. Of these, 672 (99%) were being considered at various committees, while seven (1%) were negatived. Among these motions, 43 (6.0%) were referred to ad-hoc committees and 629 (93%) to standing committees.”
Speaking on the oversight visits and inspections by the House in one year, the speaker disclosed that “the House Committees visited 107 Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and projects nationwide. This is despite most standing committees being inaugurated between November and December 2023, averaging 1-2 visits per committee. These visits aimed to ensure that government programs and administration were implemented effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with legislative intent.
“The House committees held a total of 502 meetings in the first session of the 10th House. Further analysis shows the frequency distribution of meetings conducted by 117 House committees. The data reveals that 91 committees (77.8%) conducted between 1 and 5 meetings, 21 committees (17.9%) held between 6 and 10 meetings, and 4 committees (3.4%) held more than 11 meetings each. However, one committee did not convene any meetings during this period”, he added.
Continuing, the speaker disclosed that “The 10th House has also played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts and ensuring the smooth resolution of crises before they escalate.
A notable example of their intervention is with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), where the timely dialogue and negotiations led to the successful call-off of a nationwide strike, thereby averting further potential economic disruptions.
Additionally, the House’s proactive engagement with the Nigerian Teachers Union swiftly resolved their grievances, ensuring minimal disruption to the educational sector. Similarly, their effective mediation with the Nigerian Medical Association facilitated the resolution of key issues, promoting stability within the healthcare sector,” the speaker said.
He noted that these efforts and the resultant effects were products of a harmonious working relationship that exists between the 10th House and the Executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
In a goodwill message, former Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara said his total allowances during his tenure was N25 million while his salary was N400,000.
Dogara said the disclosure became necessary following public misconception that members of the National Assembly earn huge salaries and allowances.
“While I was speaker my salary was 400 thousand Naira and my total allowance was 25 million Naira, I told my accountant to open a separate account for the allowances and I never for once took any money out of that account everything that came into that account was used to cater for the needs of constituents.
“I am saying this so Nigerians will give their legislatures breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members pay,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani lamented the proliferation of illicit arms in the country, which was fueling insecurity, saying 70% out of the 350 million illicit arms illegally in circulation in the West African sub-region were domiciled in Nigeria.
He also decried that about 65% of Nigerians were living below the poverty line, hence elected representatives should be careful of making excuses about their salaries and allowances as that will not be entertained by people.
“When I left the 9th Assembly as a Senator, there were some very important legislations that I thought needed to be looked into by the 10th Assembly. Number one is the creation of state police but I am happy the House of Representatives is leading towards the epoch for the creation of state police.
“Sitting here one of the most important areas we need to look into is the issue of insecurity in our country and that can only be resolved when we collectively agree that we must create state police in Nigeria. I commend you for the leadership role and I can assure you we will be there to support you”.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu emphasised the importance of an open legislature, saying it will enable the lawmakers to prioritize legislative actions that will help to meet the needs of Nigerians.
He said: “On behalf of the House of Representatives, I warmly welcome you all to the Open Week 2024. As the People’s House, we understand the importance of transparency and public engagement. This week is dedicated to engendering a more inclusive and democratic legislative process that truly reflects our constituents’ needs and voices.”