Gbajabiamila Tasks Colleagues On Timely Passage Of 2021 Budget, PIB, Others

FEATUREDLATEST NEWSBy Ahmed Musa On Nov 24, 20202:38 PM

ABUJA – The House of Representatives’ Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday called on members of the House to rededicate themselves to the tasks of passing the 2021 appropriation bill as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the respective deadlines set by the House.

This was as the speaker also honoured the memories of a newspaper vendor, late Ifeanyi Okereke, who was shot and killed by the speaker’s former security aide on Thursday last week — by admitting the leadership of the Association of Newspaper Vendors of Nigeria, Abuja chapter into plenary.

Gbajabiamila, while addressing his colleagues on resumption of the House from one a month budget defence break noted that the House would pass the budget as promised and on time, to meet the deadline it has set for itself, whilst not losing sight of need for quality and efficient job of legislation.

“It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country.

“We will pass the budget, and we will do it early, and we will do it right. The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.

“The Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution, ably led by the Deputy Speaker of the House, has been inaugurated, and they have resumed their essential work.

“The Committee has put out a request for memoranda and other submissions that will guide their work. It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country.

“Our work on other Legislative Agenda priorities such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the institutionalisation of the National Social Investment Programmes will continue at pace,” he said.

The Speaker also hinted that the expected amendments to the all-important Electoral Act has also commenced, with the amendment bill listed for a second reading on Tuesday, adding that work on the review of the constitution is well underway.

“In the same vein, the House has commenced long-anticipated efforts to review and amend the Electoral Act well in advance of the next general elections. Perfecting the process through which we choose the people that will serve in government is an essential requirement for the continued development of our democracy.

“Therefore, I encourage all of you to reach out to your various constituencies and encourage your constituents to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building,” he added.Gbajabiamila also noted the efforts being made by the House to collaborate with the executive to reform the nation’s police force, saying that doing so was paramount as one of the integral part of the House legislative agenda.