The House of Representatives, at its plenary on Wednesday, advanced seven Bills to the Committee Stage following debate on their general principles, paving the way for further legislative scrutiny of reforms in aviation governance, national security, healthcare delivery, industrial training, and rural development.

Collectively, the Bills seek to strengthen public institutions, enhance inter-agency collaboration on national security, expand access to specialist healthcare, develop technical manpower, and accelerate rural infrastructure and development.

The Bills include:

– Aviation Governance: A Bill to amend the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) (Establishment) Act, 2022 to revise the percentage of statutory charges accruing to the Agency.

– National Security:* A Bill to amend the Armed Forces Act to promote synergy and collaboration among the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security and interests.

– Healthcare: Three Bills to establish the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Obokun, Osun State; the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Ikot Mboho, Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State; and the Federal Medical Centre, Guri, Jigawa State, to expand access to specialised and tertiary healthcare services.

– Industrial Training: A Bill to establish the National Metallurgical Training Institute, Apomu, to provide education, training, research, and professional development for students, researchers, and personnel in the iron and steel, oil, and gas industries.

– Rural Development: A Bill to establish the National Commission for Rural Infrastructure and Development (NARCID), together with the National Rural Development Fund, to strengthen the financing, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and implementation of rural infrastructure and development programmes nationwide.

Following debate, the Bills were referred to the relevant House Committees for detailed legislative scrutiny, stakeholder engagement, and further consideration by the House.

Swipe through the flashcards for details on the Bills.