From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Republican has unveiled its legislative agenda for the 10th assembly, with a promise to come up with legislative initiatives to tackle unemployment, grow the economy and foster development in the country.
The speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, while speaking at the event, on Tuesday, said the 8-point agenda, is designed to provide necessary legislative support to the executive arm of government. Abbas noted that the legislative agenda is borne out of the House that the primary duty of lawmakers is to serve the best interests of their constituents.
The speaker, while imploring all committees of the House, to ensure that their activities are in sync with the legislative agenda, also charged members to align their bills, motion with the legislative agenda.
He said : “The agenda we are unveiling today is a demonstration of our commitment to deploying every legislative instrument available to us towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people we serve.
“Our agenda encompasses a range of eight critical issues, designed to provide the necessary legislative support to the 8 point Agenda of the executive. These issues include strengthening good governance, economic development, improving national security, law reform, economic growth and development, social sector reform and development, inclusion and open parliament, influencing foreign policy and climate change, and environmental sustainability.
“We are dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes sustainable economic growth, and development. We shall use every legislative tool at our disposal to create jobs for our teeming youths, address the challenge posed by poverty, improve infrastructure, ensure top quality and affordable healthcare and provide security for all Nigerians.
“This Agenda has identified areas for legislation and intervention. All Committees are requested to integrate the Agenda to their respective work-plans. Members should also ensure that legislative proposals, including Bills, motions, etc,. are in with the provisions of this Agenda.
“The adopted structure indicates short, medium and long-term milestones and key performance indicators to track progress easily. The implementation framework is designed to allow for flexibility in responding to emerging issues or crises.
“We have equally set up a Legislative Agenda Monitoring and Implementation Committee to ensure religious implementation of this agenda. I charge citizens to hold us to task on the articulated issues and even more.”
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks at the event, lauded the House for leading the way in unveiling its legislative agenda. Akpabio stated that the Senate will ensure that its own legislative agenda tallies with that of the Green chamber.
According to him, “We have one nation, one destiny, one president, and one House. We must always concur and agree before any Bill becomes an Act of parliament. So, there is no difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate. We are working for one cause. ”
Similarly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation( SGF), George Akume, while speaking at the event, said for any democracy to thrive, there must be a focused and forward-looking legislature.
Akume, who assured the House of the commitment of the Executive, said the agenda is an attestation of the high quality of leadership and the lower chamber.