INTRODUCTION:<\/p>\n
Permit me to begin by saying that it is a great pleasure to be back here among you all. As I look around the chamber, I can see from your fresh faces that you have all enjoyed your well-deserved rest.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 However, I also know that some of you have spent part of the break
\nbattling floods in your constituencies and dealing with the havoc that they have caused to homes, farmlands and peoples’ lives.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please accept our sympathy, and our solemn promise that we shall use
\nevery available means to ensure that in future, our people are better equipped to cope with such natural disasters.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Honourable colleagues, I welcome you all, but I must tell you that
\nwe have even more work to do. As leaders, we must continue to seek ways to make life more meaningful for our people.<\/p>\n
CONSTITUTION REVIEW:<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One matter that is of interest to the Nigerian Public and indeed the
\nHouse of Representatives is the issue of Constitution Review.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As elected representatives, we believe that an all inclusive and
\nconsultative process should be put in place to guide the process. To this end, we are proposing that every Federal Constituency in Nigeria should be involved<\/p>\n
and have a clear say on the content and aspects of the Constitution to be amended.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our proposal is that every Federal Constituency should constitute a
\npanel of credible persons that would organise a public hearing and engage an extensive public consultation. This will involve Representatives of each of the following stakeholders in each Constituency namely:<\/p>\n
i. The Honourable member representing the Constituency<\/p>\n
ii. Civil Society Organisations<\/p>\n
Iii. Nigerian Bar Association<\/p>\n
iv. Labour Unions<\/p>\n
v. ASUU<\/p>\n
vi. Youth Organisations<\/p>\n
vii. Women Organisations vii. Religious Groups<\/p>\n
viii. Media<\/p>\n
ix. Other stakeholders as the Committee on Constitution Review may think fit.<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 These Stakeholders will appoint their own representatives in the
\nvarious constituencies. Furthermore, a template and details of the issues to be discussed would be worked out by the Committee on Constitution Review, following from memoranda already received from the public.<\/p>\n
CRITICAL BILLS:<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consistent with the Legislative Agenda of the House, there are bills
\nthat the House should attend to expeditiously.<\/p>\n
10.\u00a0 Such bills include constitutional amendment bills on the budget; the Petroleum Industry Bill, review of the Police and Security Agencies Acts, Bills to deal with unacceptably high unemployment situation in Nigeria.
\nBills on improvement of Agriculture, Economy, Social Welfare and Electoral Reforms.<\/p>\n
11.\u00a0 To this end, may I request all Committees that some of these bills have been committed to, to expedite action and submit their Reports<\/p>\n
E-PARLIAMENT:<\/p>\n
12.\u00a0 In our Legislative Agenda, we made a commitment to run a technology driven Parliament. We believe strongly that in the 21st Century, Electronic Voting System should be the dominant method of voting in this chamber. This makes voting more transparent and accountable. It makes every member accountable and responsible for votes and positions on issues.<\/p>\n
13.\u00a0 The votes and proceedings of the House, the Order paper, the Hansard must all be accessible to members and the general public electronically.
\nThis will deepen access to the legislature and improve our democratic credentials and practice.<\/p>\n
14.\u00a0 We believe that this will engender greater transparency, openness and accountability. We intend to put our legislative procedure at par with international best practices, to advance our members’ technological savvy and further strengthen our cooperation with other national parliaments. To this end, an Ad-Hoc committee will be set up to articulate these objectives and speed up the whole process, with a clear mandate to make e-voting and other forms of e-parliament infrastructure a regular feature of our daily activities.<\/p>\n
2012 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION:<\/p>\n
15.\u00a0 Budget in Nigeria has become a yearly ritual. The Appropriation Act is observed more in breach than<\/p>\n
execution. It is time to remind us all that Appropriation Act is a law passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President. It is not a document of convenience to be executed as officials deem necessary.<\/p>\n
16.\u00a0 It is a solemn legal commitment of Government to intervene in various areas of need of our people. It is the instrument of infrastructural and economic development. The budget allocates resources and guides governmental activities in a given year. When this House insists on budget implementation by the Executive it is never meant to witch hunt anybody.
\nBudget implementation is the only way Nigerians can feel the direct impact of government in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
17.\u00a0 Our people have given us a clear mandate to represent them and advance their interest. We are resolve to fulfil the terms of that contract, and to do so with integrity and honour. We cannot continue to pay lip service to the idea of a better Nigeria rid of twin evils of<\/p>\n
poverty and disease. However, what do we show our people at the end of our tenure as our achievements? In what specific ways can we show our people that we have contributed to their economic, social and political well being. Can we in good conscience go back to our people after four years to ask for yet another mandate if we are unable to show what we have done?
\nThis is the challenge facing us as elected representatives.<\/p>\n
18.\u00a0 May I, acknowledge the performance contract initiated by Mr.
\nPresident to regulate the conduct of Ministers. This performance contract is a vindication of our position and resolution on budget implementation.<\/p>\n
19.\u00a0 With specific reference to the 2012 budget, we have asked all Committees of the House to collate information on the level of funding and implementation by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS).<\/p>\n
20.\u00a0 In the course of the week, a day will be set aside to deliberate in plenary session, the level of budget implementation as collated by the various Committees.<\/p>\n
21.\u00a0 After the deliberation, the House will suspend plenary for one week but the House work will continue in Committees. Within this period, various Committees will be required to go on physical inspection of projects and authenticate all information provided by the various MDA’s on the level of 2012 budget implementation.<\/p>\n
22.\u00a0 The report of the various Committees of the House after the oversight visits will form the basis of further action by the House.<\/p>\n
23.\u00a0 Fellow colleagues, if I can remember, shortly before our recess the House reached a number of resolutions on issues that were critical to the well-being of this country especially as they concern budget implementation. Since then, the exact nature of those resolutions has become a<\/p>\n
matter of public discourse and sundry commentators have given them their own colouration.<\/p>\n
24.\u00a0 We shall be revisiting these matters again, hopefully in a manner that will make Nigerians understand the true nature of the problems we face and how we propose to deal with them.<\/p>\n
25.\u00a0 We hope especially to draw attention to the fact that we must separate issues from people so that we can reduce the impact of personal emotions on national discourse.<\/p>\n
26.\u00a0 Nigerians need to be reminded that when we insist that budgets be implemented as passed by the National Assembly we are doing no more and no less than what is our duty. Although we live in a society where suspicion and slander clouds every important discourse, we shall never because of that neglect our responsibilities.<\/p>\n
27.\u00a0 As always, we have faith that in the fullness of time our position will be vindicated. We have faith that before long our efforts here will be felt everywhere.<\/p>\n
28.\u00a0 Honourable Colleagues, let me once again commend your efforts to provide effective representation for the good of our people. I urge you not to relent in your effort to do well for our mother Country.<\/p>\n
29.\u00a0 May God crown our efforts with success.<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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