News

Majority of 10th National Assembly Bills Recycled from Previous Sessions – Analysis

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

A recent analysis by OrderPaper, Nigeria’s leading independent parliamentary monitoring organization, reveals that more than half of the bills introduced in the 10th National Assembly were carried over from previous legislative sessions, particularly the 9th Assembly.

The report highlights that a significant portion of the bills proposed in the Senate between June 2023 and May 2024 were not new initiatives but rather replications of earlier proposals. The House of Representatives exhibited a similar pattern, with nearly one-third of its bills being reintroduced from past sessions.

Oke Epia, the Founder and Executive Director of OrderPaper, made these findings public in a statement on Wednesday. He expressed concern over this trend, suggesting it raises questions about the originality and efficacy of the legislative process. The practice of recycling bills has led to speculations about the potential commercialization of legislative proposals within the federal legislature.

Epia pointed out that while the first year of the 10th National Assembly saw an increase in the number of bills introduced, the rate of their progression through the legislative process remained sluggish. Many of these bills, recycled from the 9th Assembly, have yet to make significant headway.

These insights are part of the upcoming performance report card on the National Assembly, prepared by OrderPaper. This report, known for its detailed and data-driven approach, provides an in-depth analysis of the legislative activities within the first year of the 10th Assembly, highlighting the gap between bill sponsorship and their actual progression.

“The analysis by OrderPaper indicates that between June 2023 and May 2024, the Senate introduced a total of 475 bills, but only 19 have been passed, with 416 still awaiting their second reading,” Epia noted.

“In a similar vein, the House of Representatives saw 1,175 bills introduced within the same period, but only 58 have passed, leaving a staggering 967 bills stuck at the second reading stage.”

The report further revealed that 15 senators and 149 members of the House—accounting for 12.6% of the total membership—did not sponsor any bills during this period. Among those, a majority were first-time lawmakers.

A particularly concerning aspect of the report is the lack of legislative focus on critical national issues. For instance, bills related to agriculture and food security constituted only 5.8% of the total in the House and 7.3% in the Senate. Security-related bills accounted for just 7.2% in the House and 5.4% in the Senate. Despite these sectors’ importance to national stability, many bills addressing these issues have failed to advance beyond the first reading.

OrderPaper plans to publish distinct datasets from this performance report on its official website (https://orderpaper.ng/), encouraging constituents, political and business leaders, civil society organizations, and the general public to engage with these findings.

Epia also emphasized that while there has been a noticeable increase in bill submissions, the challenge remains in ensuring these bills reach the legislative finish line. He urged citizens to focus not just on the quantity of bills but on their quality, value, and impact.

“Citizens must hold their lawmakers accountable by prioritizing the effectiveness of bills over mere numbers,” Epia remarked. “OrderPaper Nigeria calls on legislators, citizens, and parliamentary partners to use this performance report to advocate for more impactful legislative governance. It’s crucial that the 10th Assembly moves beyond quantity and focuses on passing laws that address Nigeria’s pressing challenges. The gap between promise and progress must be bridged for this Assembly to achieve its full potential.”

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”