Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, yesterday announced names of chairmen and deputy chairmen of the 134 standing committees in the Green Chamber.
Abbas who announced the constitution of the committees at the end of plenary named Hon Abubakar Bichi as chairman of Appropriations committee; Hon Babajimi Benson, Defence committee, and Hon Regina Akume, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Other committee chairmen are Hon Muktar Betara, FCT; Yusuf Gagdi Navy; Idris Ahmed Wase, Federal Character; Hon. Bamidele Salam, Public Accounts; Wole Oke, Judiciary; Hon. James Faleke, Finance, and Hon. Leke Abejide, Customs Services.
Others include former Majority Leader, Hon. Ado Doguwa, Petroleum (Upstream); Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Petroleum (Downstream); former deputy House Leader, Hon. Peter Akpatason, Communications; Hon. Adamu Tanko – Diaspora; Hon. Okonta Chris – Climate Change; Hon. Chris Ogene – Renewable Energy; Hon. Bello el-Rufai – Banking Regulations; Hon. Ibrahim Bukar-Ibrahim – Rural Electrification.
Others are Hon. Miriam Onuoha, TETFUND; Hon. Aminu Jaji, Ecological Fund; Hon. Sada Soli, Water Resources; Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, NDDC; Hon. Frederick Agbedi, FCT Area Councils, and Ancillary Matters and Hon. Bob Solomon Capital Market. Institutions.
Also appointed as chairmen are Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Constituency Outreach; Hon. Blessing Onuh, Lands Transportation; Hon. Ojotu Ojeme, Inland Waterways; Hon. Victor Nwokolo, Power; Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, Foreign Affairs; Hon. Mike Etaba, Public Petitions, and deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Constitution Review.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary by six weeks.
In his remarks before the adjournment, Speaker Abbas said all members have equal status and directed the committee’s chairman to carry all colleagues along in their legislative businesses.
He said, “Nonetheless, I am not unmindful of the fact that in spite of the painstaking efforts of the Selection Committee in setting up these committees, not everybody will be satisfied in terms of choice of committees.
“I particularly carry a very heavy burden to appreciate members for their unanimous endorsement of my aspiration to lead this House. However, it is practically impossible to make every member a Committee Chairman or Vice Chairman.
“But, let me remind you that there are limitless opportunities within the House, and I assure you that we will provide these opportunities for every member desirous of service to do so.
“While the outcome may not be perfect, favourable and satisfactory to all, I have no doubt that the Selection Committee has done what could be considered to be in the best interest of the House and nation.
“It is, therefore, proper and fitting, at this juncture, to express my gratitude to members of the Selection Committee for their sacrifices and commitment in the constitution of the committees we are inaugurating today.”
He called on the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to immediately design a capacity building programme that will equip the leadership of committees with the requisite knowledge and skill on committee management, oversight function, investigative hearing, public hearings and useful knowledge in this regard.
“Committee chairmen must ensure that there are functional secretariats for their respective committees. This is very crucial as the House is redefining legislative work at the Committees.
“All Committees are now required to submit regular reports of their activities to the leadership of the House on a quarterly basis. Investigative hearings, public hearings and reports from oversight functions have to be submitted to the House in plenary for further legislative action,” the Speaker added.
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