The House of Representatives on August 11th 2016, had an interactive session with CSOs on a one year review of its Legislative Agenda. This event was organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in collaboration with the House of Representatives. The Speaker Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara (APC: Bauchi) in his opening speech stated that the Legislative Agenda was a framework adopted by the House of Representatives to enable them deliver on legislations and reforms that would aid development and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Legislative Agenda was adopted by the House of Representatives on August 4th 2015 with commitments to provide a clear framework for the business of the House for the entire four (4) year tenure covering basic functions of legislation, Representation and Oversight.
The Speaker reaffirmed the important role of Members of the House of Representatives which include: providing leadership in the areas of accountability, transparency and citizens’ engagement as well as representation. He emphasized on their need to work assiduously to improve the governance process in Nigeria while effectively and efficiently delivering on their constitutional mandate.
The Speaker further noted that a strong foundation had been laid in the first legislative session of the House and therefore urged his colleagues to make further positive impacts on the lives of Nigerians through effective and relevant legislations. In his closing remarks, he commended the efforts of the CSOs whom through their sustained efforts have ensured that the mandate of the legislature is executed.
Reviewing the accomplishment and challenges of the House of Representatives, the following thematic areas were considered during the session;
- Enactment of Priority Legislation
- Legislative Initiative on Review of the National Budgetary Process
- National Economy and Development
- National Assembly External Communications and E-parliament.
Participants made contributions on the above issues requesting that the House should (i) make public hearings more accessible for public participation, (ii) make the National Assembly Budget Public in line with principles of transparency and accountability to which the Speaker responded by stating such information can be made accessible to the public, (iii) ensure that the President constitutes a fully functional INEC; (iv) make certain that a communication strategy is developed for the purpose of enhancing relations between them and their constituencies.
Other issue discussed include the “Budget Padding” controversy which had engulfed the House, the need to reduce the age required to contest for various offices during elections; the purpose of creating new institutions and agencies vis-a-vis reducing the cost of governance; the position of the House in ensuring the Electoral Act 2007 is amended to address the challenges of re-run elections, the objections on role of the National Assembly in providing amenities for their constituencies. Participants also expressed their displeasure over the NGO Regulatory Bill currently before the National Assembly.
In response to the concerns raised on the recent “Budget Padding” crisis, Hon. Dogara stated that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) only provided for the President to prepare and lay before the National Assembly “estimates” of revenue and Capital Expenditure while the National Assembly prepares the Budget.
On the issue of Constituency Development Funds, the Speaker cited Section 80(3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states that –
(3)No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorized by an Act of the National Assembly”
(4) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or other public funds of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly”
He noted that the duty of legislators is to attract Federal interventions and investments to their various constituencies. In addition, he said that certain actions and decision on Appropriation laws are made possible by the legislature and is guided by the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act 2004. He also made commitment to ensure that public hearings are organized on the Budget and that going forward, CSOs participation will be prioritized during such hearing. He therefore urged CSOs, stakeholders and citizens to enhance their knowledge on Budget formulation and implementation.
