Why We Increased House Of Reps Committees, By Speaker

Speaker of House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, has offered an insight as to why the chamber increased the number of its standing committees from 109 to about 137.

Speaking during an interactive session with reporters in Abuja, he explained that the measure was to ensure efficiency.  The Speaker said the reformative measure was preempted by the fact that some of the committees were too large for effective oversight.

Stating that all standing committees have been given a marching order to ensure, he disclosed that a monitoring committee had been established. He said: “For example, the committee on tertiary education had over 300 agencies to supervise, and at the end of every year, they will end up not being able to oversight some of them. So, we have to break it down to allow for efficiency, and put eyes on what the executive is doing.

“In the past, not all committees were active. Now, we want to ensure that all standing committees are active, working for the betterment of the Nigerian people.

“We want to ensure transparency, and we want result. That is why we set up the monitoring committee to monitor their activities.”  Abbas disclosed that the lower legislative chamber would organise a quarterly training for members of the Press Corps to ensure professionalism.

Chairman of the House of Press Corps, Lady Grace Ike, explained that the media remain committed to promoting good governance through objective and balanced reportage.

Guardian,