Senate Plans Sanctions Against MDAs Over Failure To Implement Resolutions

The Senate has expressed concerns over the persistent failure of some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to implement its resolutions.

It recommended budgetary and other sanctions against agencies that disregard legislative directives.

The warning followed the presentation of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance’s report on compliance with the Upper  Chamber legislation and resolutions from July 2023 to December 2025.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Musa Garba Maidoki (APC-Kebbi South), said the committee received 27 referrals on motions and reports within the period under review.

Maidoki said the committee was established to monitor compliance with Senate resolutions and legislation, as well as ensure that relevant statutory and non-statutory agencies implement decisions of the Senate.

The committee chairman said the findings revealed that implementation of Senate resolutions was often delayed or ignored by some government institutions.

He added that while the Executive arm of government retains the authority to issue directives for implementation, some MDAs fail to provide requested compliance information, thereby undermining the oversight role of the Senate.

Maidoki said some agencies had failed to implement resolutions on road rehabilitation and disaster management because the projects’ funding was not included in annual budgets.

He also cited unresolved cases involving agencies, including the failure of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to address the treatment and compensation of a child, Omozele Omar Omo, who was allegedly shot in the eye by officers of the agency.

According to him, the committee had written to relevant authorities seeking approval for funds from confiscated properties accounts and the Consolidated Revenue Fund to facilitate treatment and compensation, but the matter remained unresolved.

“The Attorney-General and the Office of the Minister of Finance have not been able to make any headway in retrieving this compensation,” he said.

The lawmaker also raised concerns over the refusal of some agencies to comply with Senate resolutions on the reinstatement of disengaged workers.

He mentioned the prolonged case involving the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a former staff member, Engineer Padilope, despite the committee’s several interventions.

“Most of these MDAs, when they conclude their assignment, refer the final recommendation to the Head of Service. Unfortunately, none of the recommendations sent to the Head of Service has ever received a response,” Maidoki said.

He added that similar challenges existed with the Nigerian Army regarding the reinstatement of some officers as directed by the Senate.

The committee also observed that some agencies lacked the statutory authority to implement certain resolutions, while some legislative motions were introduced without adequate investigation.

Maidoki said multiple requests contained in some motions also affected the effective implementation of Senate resolutions.

The committee recommended that the Senate apply budgetary and other sanctions against MDAs that fail to respond to or implement its resolutions.

The affected agencies include the Federal Ministries of Works, Health, Power, Petroleum Resources and Humanitarian Affairs.

The Senate adopted the recommendation that resolutions delayed due to budgetary constraints should be addressed in subsequent budgets through the Appropriations Committee.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Maidoki for what he described as an unprecedented report.

“This report submitted by Senator Maidoki is unprecedented,” a senator who contributed to the debate said.

“I know from experience that no chairman of this very important committee has ever submitted a comprehensive report like this.”

Akpabio also praised Maidoki’s dedication and capacity, describing the report as evidence of commitment to legislative oversight.

“The committee on legislative compliance, since 1999, has never submitted this kind of report,” Akpabio said.

He urged senators to study the report and use it to guide future interventions.

The Senate subsequently received the report and directed lawmakers to examine its recommendations for further action.