We introduced 1,351 bills, 89 scaled through third reading – Reps Speaker, Abbas

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, says the Green Chamber of the National Assembly introduced a total of 1,351 bills and successfully passed 89 bills through Third Reading in its first legislative session.

He added that 679 motions were introduced within the period under review to reawaken relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to their mandates.

The 10th House was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, with the emergence of Speaker Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker respectively.

In his message on Tuesday to mark the commencement of the second session of the legislative year at the plenary, July 2, 2024, Speaker Abbas through his Deputy, Kalu who presided, explained that with 1,351 bills, the 10th House has surpassed the previous ones since the return of democracy in 1999.

He stated that on the 13th of June 2023, they were inaugurated into the House with a shared commitment to be the strong voice and champions of constituents, saying that the House made a solemn pledge to uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and progress.

According to him, “Together, we have faced national challenges head-on, debated passionately, legislated wisely, and upheld the values that define us as a democratic society. At the heart of this democratic journey has been the legislature, an institution that epitomizes the participatory character of our democracy.”

The National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to the Speaker, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the aspirations and interests of Nigerians are represented, laws are made for the peace and progress of the country, and the executive is held accountable.

The 10th House, in its First Session, he added, has continued to uphold the tenets and the legacy of previous sessions before them, stressing that throughout their first session, each one of them had demonstrated unwavering dedication and integrity in carrying out their duties.

“We have engaged in robust debates, passed crucial legislation, conducted thorough oversight, and stood firm in representing the diverse voices of our nation. Together, we have shown what true public service looks like – selfless, principled, and committed to the common good,” he observed.

According to him, they have passed numerous laws that have shaped their economic landscape, reformed key sectors, and strengthened the democratic institutions, pointing out that the House introduced 1,351 bills, the highest number in any first session since 1999 and out of the impressive number, 89 bills were passed, reflecting the House’s commitment to legislative efficiency and effectiveness.

He said key bills included the Access to Higher Education Act, 2024, popularly known as the Students Loan Bill, and the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity sector by promoting investment in renewable energy sources and the Federal Audit Service Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, strengthens financial oversight and transparency, ensuring better management of public funds and reducing corruption.

Additionally, he stressed that 679 motions were introduced, setting a record for the number of motions in the first session.

The Speaker noted, “One of the core functions of the legislature is oversight. Through public hearings, investigative committees, and rigorous debates, we have held the executive accountable, ensuring that public funds are used judiciously and that government policies are aligned with the needs of the people. Our oversight activities have led to significant outcomes, including recovering misappropriated funds and rectifying administrative inefficiencies.”

He called on his colleagues to brace up for the challenges ahead in the second legislative year, saying as they begin the second session, they must acknowledge that there are challenges ahead.