By Emeh James Anyalekwa
ABUJA — Member representing Bende Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu says the priority of the 9th Assembly is to reform legislative functions by making them more proactive, and in tune with global best practices.
Kalu, Official Spokesman of the 9th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated this while speaking at the 2nd Public Lecture of the National Assembly Legislative Digest entitled: ‘20 years of the National Assembly in the 4th Republic: The Tasks ahead of the 9th National Assembly’.
“This House will prioritize the economy, insecurity, good governance and the fight against corruption over the next four years using a system of accountability and transparency”, Kalu said.
Igbere TV reports that the event which was organized by the National Assembly management headed by the Clerk, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who represented the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the 9th House of Representatives had also made a total of 63 Resolutions.
Revealing that the journey of the National Assembly over the last 20 years has not been an easy one, Kalu said a total of 287 Bills have passed first reading at the 9th House, with at least 2 Bills passing second reading.
“Despite all these, the National Assembly of the 4th Republic has produced some remarkable legislations; more recently, the Assembly’s Pension Reform Act, the National Health Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. Not forgetting the National Minimum Wage Act, Police Reform Bill, the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Amendment Bill, the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, the Railway Transformation Bill and the “Not too Young to Run Bill” (now a fourth alteration to the Constitution), all of the 8th Assembly”, Ben Kalu stated.
“It is also remarkable that the last Assembly introduced a total of 2,569 bills and passed 704 of them, an improvement from the 7th Assembly which introduced 1,063 and passed 106.
“Moving forward, we must learn from the mistakes of the previous Assemblies and build on their achievements for the good of the nation. The 9th House of Representatives will do just that. So far, we have hit the ground running. As at Wednesday, July 24, 2019, barely a month post inauguration, 287 bills had passed first reading, with 2 passing second reading in the House. Also, 63 House Resolutions had been made urging the Executive arm and mandating committees to take necessary actions arising from motions deliberated on the Floor of the House of Representatives. Without missing a beat, these committees have made considerable advancements, investigating pressing public issues such as the Edo and the Bauchi legislative crises, the Oyigbo pipleline explosion, among others”, he added.
The lawmaker said that “the House of Representatives will uphold the independence of the legislature while leveraging on the benefits of Interdependence between the arms of government. Equally, the achievements of the past Assemblies and those expected in the future is dependent on the commitment, efficiency and dedication of the staff of the National Assembly”.
While thanking the National Assembly staff for the work done in the last 20 years to sustain the operation of the Legislature, the lawmaker said the 9th Assembly will do more to enhance their welfare to enable the House achieve its legislative goals, urging the NASS management to “use the Legislative Digest as one of the platforms to bring the Parliament closer to the people.”
“The House of Representatives will uphold the independence of the Legislature while leveraging on the benefits of interdependence between the arms of government. Equally, the achievements of the past Assemblies and those expected in the future is dependent on the commitment, efficiency and dedication of the staff of the National Assembly”, Hon. Ben Kalu added.
Igbere TV reports that the event with the objective to ‘consider the last 20 years of the National Assembly in the 4th Republic and tasks ahead for the 9th Assembly’, had Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President, as Chairman.
Dignitaries in attendance include Senator Ken Nnamani, Alhaji Ibrahim Salim, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim, Prince Asiwaju Ogunyomi, Dr. Salisu Maikasuwa and representatives of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) and Service Chiefs.
