The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all ad hoc committees of the House following the expiration of the period allotted for them to complete their assignments and submit their reports.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sidi Ibrahim, and dated Saturday.
According to the circular, the dissolution took effect from Friday, August 28, 2026.
The Clerk said the decision followed previous directives instructing all ad hoc committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the Standing Orders and established practices of the House.
He disclosed that only two of the affected committees had sought and obtained extensions of time under Order Eighteen, Rule 5 of the Standing Orders.
However, the two-week extensions granted to the committees had also expired.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Honourable Members are reminded that Ad Hoc Committees are temporary Committees of the House established for specific and time-bound mandates.
“They are not intended to subsist indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted,” the circular stated
Ibrahim also referred to Order Eighteen, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which sets out the timeframe within which committees are expected to complete their assignments and submit reports.
He said the continued existence of the committees had become untenable after they exceeded the period approved for their operations.
“Consequently, with effect from Friday 28th August 2026, all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved; and activities being carried out in the name of such Committees shall cease forthwith,” Ibrahim stated.
The chairmen of the affected committees were directed to submit all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.
Members of the dissolved committees were also urged to take note of the directive and ensure strict compliance.
The development is part of efforts by the House leadership to enforce compliance with its rules governing the duration, mandate and reporting obligations of temporary committees.
