Bills on security, many other critical issues stalled – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has lamented that various priority bills are still pending at different stages despite the limited time available for the 9th House.

He disclosed this in a remark at the resumption of plenary by the House on Tuesday after its long recess.

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He said, “During recess, I requested an assessment of the status of bills in the House. From that assessment, it became clear that many priority bills have stalled at different stages in the legislative process.

“On the authority of Order 18(3)(g) of the House Rules, I have instructed the Committee on Rules and Business to discharge all priority bills pending in the various committees beyond the allotted time.

“These priority bills include legislation to implement essential reforms to our national security architecture, bills that aim to effect needed reforms of critical government institutions, as well as others that seek to improve our national ability to meet human capital development targets. That process will begin today until all such bills have been treated.

“We have very little time left to finish the work we have been called to do in this Assembly. There is much left to do, and we cannot turn our attention whilst we have pending tasks to deliver.

“I urge all the chairmen of the standing and ad-hoc committees to act promptly on pending bills and motions, conclude the activities of ad-hoc committees and submit their reports for consideration and subsequent action.

“Please take all proper and necessary measures to clear the backlog of assignments before the schedule becomes even more encumbered by budget activities and the pressures of the campaign season.”