Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara
on Wednesday frowned at the failure of some House committees and ad hoc committees that have failed to submit their investigative reports to do so or else the reports would be forfeited to the Committee of the Whole.
The Speaker’s directive was sequel to a point of order raised by the Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Honourable Ossai Ossai citing Order 17 Rule 3 sub rule 2 and Order 10 on time limit for submission of report by committees.
The lawmaker informed the Speaker that, “5 weeks ago Mr Speaker you ordered that committees that had not submitted their reports in the last one year should submit their reports or forefeit their rights to such bills. Mr Speaker five weeks after nothing has happened and this runs contrary to the legislative agenda of this 8th House which you have been championing”.
He added that, “These committees were mandated to submit their reports within 30 days according to our House Rules but six months and even one year after they are yet to submit repors, stressing that, “we will be failing in our duties if nothing is done”.
When called by the Speaker, to make input, the Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Honourable Orker Jev told the Speaker that the earlier directive that the defaulting committees should submit such outstanding report was complied with.
According to him, “we complied with the directive and letters were sent to all the affected committees but they complained of spending money to conduct public hearings so we gave them sometime. We gave them time because if we don’t, the House will be losing money and if you remember I was the one that brought it to the knowledge of the House”.