The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, advanced several critical legislative items covering institutional reform, fiscal discipline, and essential public safety and oversight mandates.
I. ADVANCING STRUCTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Legislative Reforms and Progression
(A) A landmark achievement of the day was the passage of the Bill to establish the Nigerian Police Force Pension Board, alongside the Federal Medical Centre Bonny, Rivers State (Establishment) Bill, presented by the Deputy House Leader, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims (APC, Kogi)
(B) On judicial matters, a Bill to include the FCT and State Magistrate Courts as judicial offices scaled its Second Reading, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom).
(C) Separately, the House tasked the Ministry of Labour and Employment and related agencies to safeguard private investments of strategic national importance from unlawful union actions, moved by Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano).
Enhancing Education Access, Fiscal and Statutory Clarity
(A) The House, through bills presented by Rep. Kama Nkemkanma (LP, Ebonyi), approved the Second Reading of legislation intended to compel the timely presentation of annual budget estimates by the Executive and to clarify the role of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), ensuring complementary oversight functions with revenue-generating agencies presented by Rep. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, RIvers).
(B) Further legislative progress was recorded with the Second Reading of Establishment Bills for the Project Development Agency and Federal Medical Centres in both Ebonyi and Edo States, presented by the Senate, Rep. Nkemkanma Kama (LP, Ebonyi) and Rep. Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), respectively.
(C) Concurrently, the National Productivity Centre (Amendment) Bill and the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill were successfully advanced by Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati (APC, Ondo) and Rep. Midala Usman Balami (PDP, Borno).
(D) Additionally, the House approved the Report and recommendations of the House Committee on University Education on Bills to establish Federal Universities in Imo, Kano, Kaduna, and Borno States, reinforcing the commitment to improving access to higher education nationwide.
II. STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
(A) In a major move towards fiscal transparency, lawmakers demanded a comprehensive and detailed report on all Federal Government interventions to States and Local Governments from 2023 to date, a motion moved by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto).
(B) Furthermore, the House resolved to investigate the utilisation of Global Fund grants received by Nigeria between 2021 and 2025, specifically those earmarked for the national response against HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, following a motion by Rep. Philip Agbese (APC, Benue).
III. ECOLOGICAL RESPONSE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Disaster Interventions
(A) Members tasked the Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office to immediately address the severe erosion challenges and ecological menace in Kogi State, moved by Rep. David Idris Zacharias (APC, Kogi).
(B) The Anambra flood disaster also received attention, with lawmakers urging the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide long-term rehabilitation support to affected communities in Aguata Federal Constituency, moved by Rep. Dominic Okafor (APGA, Anambra).
(C) The House also mandated relevant agencies to investigate the root causes of recurring floods in Nnewi Federal Constituency, as raised by Rep. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe (APGA, Anambra).
Safety Interventions
(A) In matters of public safety, the Ministry of Works was urged to install speed breakers in Damagum and Ngeizanma towns, Yobe State, to prevent further loss of lives moved by Rep. Mohammed Buba Jajere (PDP, Yobe).
(B) The House also resolved to investigate an alleged incursion into oil exploration communities in Orhionmwon LGA, Edo State, by a neighbouring Delta community to prevent full-scale interstate crisis, following a motion by Rep. Billy Famous Osawaru (APC, Edo).
IV. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, PUBLIC REDRESS, AND CHAMBER DYNAMICS
(A) Rep. Francis Waive (APC, Delta), Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved that eight Bills before respective House Committees be discharged and committed to the Committee of the Whole for legislative debate. This was done pursuant to Order Eighteen Rules 11 (5) of the House Standing Orders.
(B) On public redress, four new petitions from aggrieved citizens seeking legislative intervention were laid before the Chamber by Rep. Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia). Concluding this segment, Rep. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori (PDP, Adamawa) presented the Committee’s findings on previous cases, including those relating to police misconduct and public infrastructure contracts.
Cross Carpeting
(C) In a significant political development, the APC’s gains from defections increased to 49, as Rep. Ojema Ojotu resigned from the Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and joined the ruling party.
