Politics

Reps pass only 2 of 133 bills in first quarter of 2016

Published

8 years ago

May 27, 2016

Reps to probe Discos’ privatization, others

In what may likely receive critical appraisal from Nigerians, the House of Representatives has said it only passed two bills into law from a total of 133 bills introduced in the first quarter of 2016.

This was disclosed by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while giving a report of the activities of the lower chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.

The House Leader said: “In the first quarter of 2016, a total of 133 bills were introduced for the first time, 34 out of the 133 scaled through second reading.

“Twenty out of the 133 bills were consolidated, two out of the 133 bills were negative, which in our local parlance means ‘killed,’ meaning that within the first quarter of 2016 only two bills and 117 resolutions arising from motions presented by members of the House were passed in the first 90 days of 2016 after successfully scaling through all the stages of legislation.”

Read also: PDP BoT endorses Makarfi as nat’l chairman

The bills were the Federal Capital Territory Statutory Appropriation Amendment Bill, 2016, and the Appropriation Bill 2016 (2016 budget).

According to Gbajabiamila, the money bills were meant to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of Nigerians.

Defending the poor output, House Leader said: “However, let me quickly pre-empt the negative public reaction to the passage of just two executive bills in the last 90 days.

“You will agree with me that the Appropriation Bill 2016 was deliberated upon during this period, and you will also agree with me that it is the first time in the history of our democracy that the Appropriation Bill was subjected to extensive public scrutiny with contributions by all committees of the House and Nigerians in general.

“It is also pertinent to inform you that the leadership of the House has taken a proactive step to even address the issues of delays in the consideration and passage of bills.”

On the one year anniversary of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Gbajabiamila said it was too early to judge the APC-led federal government.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now