•Furious over INEC’s absence at budget defence
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has promised to boost internal security in the country through robust oversight and other legislative measures.
The pledge was handed down at the inauguration of the House Committee on Interior by its chairman, Ahmed Aliyu Abdullahi, yesterday. He also said the 10th Assembly was committed to the security of the country.
The Committee, according to the rules of the House, is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Fire Service.
Aliyu said: “To enhance internal security, we pledge unwavering legislative support that emphasizes the deployment of technology and robust hardware.
“Our oversight activities will be comprehensive, ensuring value for allocated resources to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Priority will be given to the welfare and provision of adequate equipment for our personnel, enabling swift responses to distress calls.”
He charged members of the committee to brace up for the tasks ahead to enable them actualize the legislative agenda of the House on internal security, as well as the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers were furious at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its failure to appear before it for the defence of its 2024 budget estimates.
Chairman of the committee, Adebayo Balogun, who frowned at the absence of the electoral body, said INEC did not deem it fit to inform the lawmakers that it would be unavailable for the budget defence session.
He noted that INEC’s absence was not a good way to start, especially as President Tinubu had expressed commitment to sustain the January to December budget circle.
“It is unfortunate that INEC is not here, and that is not a good way to start a new administration, especially not when the President gave a matching order that he wants to maintain the January to December budget circle.
“I don’t know what has caused the INEC’s inability to be here. I have personally been working to ensure that the integrity of INEC, which was battered during the last election, is restored. This committee is working on reforms that will restore the credibility of the Commission.
“I want to believe that there will be a genuine reason for its inability to appear before the committee to defend its budget.I learnt that the envelope they were given came to them as a shock because they were given less than what they got last year, and that is the more reason they should have been here.”
Also, the House Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) said it would ensure that companies operating in the country were alive to their duties in their host communities.
Chairman of the Committee, Lilian Orogbu, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the Committee.
She explained that the Committee has mapped out strategies to ensure implementation of the CSRs across the country.
According to her, “In the light of this, the House Committee on CSR aims to promote and encourage a culture of responsible business practices throughout our nation. We believe that every company, regardless of its size or sector, has a role to play in shaping a sustainable future.
“As a Committee, our primary focus will be to create an enabling legislative environment that empowers businesses to embrace CSR as a natural extension of their core operations through interface and oversight. To achieve this, we will constantly engage all relevant stakeholders in an extensive dialogue with companies, non-governmental organisations and expert stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities on the ground.”