The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has clarified the reason for creating a standing committee, saying it’s to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.
Speaker Abbas noted that the House Committee on Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation of the Legislative Agenda, is an extension of his vision for the 10th House, with the aim of making other standing committees align their activities with the Agenda.
The Speaker said it was the reason why the ad hoc committee was converted to a standing committee of the House.
The Honourable Speaker made this known at the inaugural meeting of the committee, where he was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.
He noted that the committee plays a vital role in ensuring that every bill and motion of the House are in line with the Legislative Agenda of the House, and they are prioritised to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.
Speaker Abbas also expressed his commitment to the success of the committee, especially through the Project Coordinating Unit in his office. He also pledged his personal commitment to the workings and success of the panel.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Patrick Umoh, in his opening address, said the committee was aimed at ensuring constructive dialogue, while also striving to achieve transparency in the implementation of the Legislative Agenda.
Hon. Umoh further stated that the committee has the mandate to oversight all the standing and special committees of the House, as well as monitor their performance indices.
Hon. Umoh commended the efforts of the Speaker and the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on the Legislative Agenda, which has metamorphosed into the standing committee.
Present at the occasion were other Hon. Members of the House and development partners from the African Business Roundtable, United Nations Development Programme, Nigeria Economic Summit Group amongst others. Also present were Professor Adetula Victor, the UNDP Consultant to the House and Mr. Dotun Ajayi and Otunba Abimbola Davis representing the African Business Roundtable.
