The House of Representatives, says it plans to organise a townhall meeting for Nigerians to make input into the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas said this at the opening of retreat organised for the House Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of House Committees in Abuja on Monday, with the theme “Improving Legislative Performance through Effective Committee Management.”
He said that the plan was in line with the parliament’s mantra as the “Peoples House”, reinstating the commitment of the 10th House of Representative to greater and more transparent engagement with the public.
“This is necessary for reducing suspicion, building trust and generating support for the work of the National Assembly.
“As we expect to receive the 2024 Appropriation bill in a few days, I wish to state that the House will convene a Budget Townhall Meeting to enable citizens to make inputs into the 2024 Appropriation.
“It is the first time such an engagement is planned at the national level; I invite our partners to work with us in preparing for a vigorous and all-inclusive budget process.
“To ensure speedy passage of the 2024 budget, I charge all committees to double their efforts and finalise all considerations in two weeks,” he said.
He challenged the committees chairmen to deploy all resources and make the needed sacrifices to ensure the budget was passed in good time for the good of all Nigerians.
Abbas said that the theme of the retreat was deliberately chosen to provide a comprehensive understanding of the tasks ahead especially for the first timers.
The speaker said that legislature was central to democracy, and a strong House was integral to ensuring that governance was conducted in an open, accountable and representative manner.
“As chairmen and deputy chairmen of various committees, we must ensure that the House delivers on its Legislative Agenda.
“All committees should study the relevant sections of the agenda and incorporate them into their work plans.
“You are encouraged to rely on the agenda and generate bills, motions and other legislative interventions.
“The success of the agenda hinges on the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of our committees,” he said.
The speaker said it was in order to encourage compliance that the Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of Standing and ad hoc Committees was established for the first time in the history of the Nigeria’s legislature.
“Its mandate is to ensure that all committees live up to their mandates and operate effectively,” he said.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila charged the committee chairmen and their deputies to work together and shun the usual friction.
He said that whatever the judgment of history would be for the 10th House of Representatives, whether for good or bad, would depend mainly on the conduct and the activities of the committees.
Gbajabiamila, also a former speaker of the House, urged members to be of best conduct at all time and let their actions, priorities and professional conduct promote the image of the parliament.
“More than at any other time in the nation’s history, all of us who hold office in government must put our best foot forward every day so that by our joint endeavour, we can advance the cause of our nation.
“Our fellow citizens have invested their hopes, dreams and expectations of a better life for themselves and a better future for their children. We must never lose sight of this reality, as to do so will be a betrayal of our commitments to God and country,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu urged the lawmakers to use the opportunity presented by the retreat to share experiences, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships.
He said that the lawmakers collectively possessed the wisdom, expertise, and determination to transform the Nigerian legislature into a model of efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness.
“Let this retreat be a catalyst for innovation, a springboard for excellence, and a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people.
“With renewed vigor and enhanced capabilities, let us embark on a new chapter of legislative excellence, ensuring that the House of Representatives continues to serve as a beacon of hope, a champion of democracy, and a guardian of the Nigerian people’s aspirations,” he said.
