Reps Resume Plenary, To Prioritise Three Major Reforms

The House of Representatives is set to resume Plenary among other legislative activities on Tuesday (today) and top on the agenda will be the increasing insecurity in many parts of the country.

Other issues of national importance marked for deliberation include constitution amendment, electoral reform, legislative oversight, public petitions, bill progression, state of the economy, constituency outreach, and foreign policy.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, in a statement assured that the House will take bold steps in addressing the issue of insecurity in the polity from a legislative standpoint.

The lawmaker referred to the spate of kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities in Abuja, the federal capital territory, as well as the cold blooded killings of the citizenry in Plateau State as a source of grave concern to his colleagues.

He also cited the issue of the Constitution Amendment as another area that would be attended to by the House the second half of the first legislative year spanning June 2023 – June 2024.

He said: “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).”

He also cited the pursuit of legislative oversight, enactment of legislations and the repositioning of the economy as some of the key areas that would preoccupy the House.

He added: “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.

“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.”