Nigerian Speaker Inaugurates Committees, Sets Agenda

The speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has charged members, especially chairmen and vice chairmen of the 85 standing committees to live up to the expectation of the people in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Tambuwal, who gave this charge today during the joint inauguration of all the standing committees at the chamber of the House, maintained that the selection committee which he chairs took into cognizance professionalism, competence, dedication and experience in the constitution of the committees with the aim of ensuring that the deliverables and solid dividends of democracy get to the people.

“As I inaugurate the committees today, I will like to enjoin the members and indeed the Chairmen and their deputies to remain committed to the legislative agenda adopted by the 7th House to do things differently. It is very germane to the hope and aspiration of our people who truly deserve quality representation for rapid development and economic growth, as well as the improvement of their standard of living and quality of life” Tambuwal said.

The speaker stated that the current leadership has also taken steps to strengthen the quality of the committees of the House to function optimally. He maintained that the legislative processes will be overhauled to ensure strict adherence of all stakeholder to decisions of the Parliament while oversight functions will be taken more seriously adding that efficiency, transparency and accountability will henceforth be the watchword of the House.

While regretting failings hitherto recorded in the oversight functions of the parliament, Tambuwal maintained that the current House will carry out oversights with the aim of eliminating waste, plugging all loopholes, and ensuring value for money. He hinted that the emphasis on the need for effective oversights influenced their decision to ensure that no chairman of any committee was made a member of Appropriation committee, adding that this will enable them devote more time to the assignment of their various committees.

The speaker also seized the opportunity to officially present copies the new Standing Order and Legislative Agenda of the House to the members. Both the Standing Order and the Legislative Agenda are designed to direct and sharpen the processes of conducting the business of the legislative House.

Responding on behalf of other Committee Chairmen, Education Committee Chairman, Hon Farouk Lawal promised that he and his colleagues will work assiduously to make the House and indeed the Nigerian people Proud. He maintained that they will do what is necessary to meet the numerous challenges of the country and improve the standard of living of the People.

—Desmond Utomwen/Abuja