…say House to amend rules to receive e-pettitions
…vow to uphold legislative excellence, responsiveness to needs of Nigerians
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of keeping to its legislative agenda, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has unveiled the newly digitalised hearing room of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and a quarterly news magazine of the Committee.
Speaker Abbas in his speech disclosed that the 10th House will commence the process of amending its Standing Orders to accommodate e-petitions and facilitate the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in receiving and processing public petitions.
According to him, this transformative step will be first of its kind in Nigeria and will enable more efficient, transparent, and accessible petition procedures, allowing citizens to engage with the legislative process more effectively.
Speaker Abbas explained that by integrating ICT, the House aims to ensure that every voice can be heard and considered promptly, thereby reinforcing dedication to a responsive and accountable governance system that truly serves the interests of the Nigerian people.
He expressed commitment to legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people by investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating technological capabilities.
The Speaker urged the Committee to continue their exemplary work in the pursuit of transparency and accountability.
“Let us continue to leverage technology and innovation to enhance our work.
“Rest assured, you have our continued support and resources to ensure the success and sustainability of these projects.
“Together, we will work to expand these initiatives to achieve even greater impact,” he said.
The speaker added that these initiatives are also integral to the Legislative Agenda, which prioritizes good governance by leveraging technology and digital media to ensure that legislative processes are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.
“I commend the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon. Bamidele Salam and his Members for their relentless dedication to delivering on the mandate of the Committee as constitutionally provided.
“To further improve the effectiveness of PAC, you have gone a step further to introduce additional legislative tools and mechanisms that strengthen good governance and improve openness and accountability.
“According to our recently unveiled one-year scorecard, the Public Accounts Committee alone accounted for 96 of the total committee meetings, representing 19% of the 502 meetings held by our committees in the first session of the House.
“Your oversight activities on issues arising from House resolutions, such as the Alleged Mismanagement of COVID-19 Intervention Funds by MDAs, the investigation of revenue leakages through the Remita platform, and other referred petitions, highlight the seriousness to attach to your oversight functions.
“Incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the work of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of parliaments is essential for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the oversight of public funds.
“Advanced digital tools and platforms streamline data analysis, facilitate real-time monitoring, and ensure comprehensive documentation of proceedings, thereby making the oversight process more effective and accessible.
“The Nigerian House of Representatives is deeply committed to this goal, recognizing that leveraging technology is crucial for fostering good governance and inclusive participation.
“By investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating our technological capabilities, we aim to set a benchmark in legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people.
“The digitalized hearing room is now equipped with advanced technologies and resources, including comprehensive legal references such as the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (1960-2024), Financial Regulations (2009), and the Procurement Act, among other relevant laws.
“This room features a large smart screen multimedia and other technical devices to facilitate e-hearings, thereby increasing efficiency, ensuring speedy consideration of cases, and promoting the effective delivery of our constitutional mandates,” he said.
He said the PAC News Magazine will foster a sustained relationship with the media, civil society, and stakeholders, ensuring that the work of the House and PAC is accessible and understandable to a broader audience.
He said it will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned, as well as preserving the digital footprints of the Committee’s oversight activities to guide future endeavours.
He described them as milestones which symbolize their continuous commitment to enhancing accountability and transparency in Nigeria.