The House of Representatives on Wednesday discharged 12 Ad–hoc Committees set up to conduct investigative hearings into various motions passed since July 2019, including the Ad-hoc Committee mandated to interface with the Executive Arm of Government and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite).
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Abubakar Fulata, pursuant to Order 18 Rule 3 (1g) of the Standing Order of the House of Representatives.
In his lead debate, Hon Fulata observed that the Ad–hoc Committees were “constituted to carry out various assignments and were given stipulated time frame within which to present their reports.
“The House also notes that the Committees are yet to present their reports contrary to the provisions of Order 18, Rule 3(1g) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.”
The affected Ad-hoc Committees include Ad–hoc Committee to interface with the Executive Arm of Government and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite) and the Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the assault and rape of Student by Teachers at the FCT School of the Blind, Jabi which were referred since July 2019.
The House also discharged the Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the Crude Oil Theft in Nigeria and the Ad–hoc Committee on the alleged negligence by the Federal Ministries of Justice, and Petroleum Resources in the handling of the Federal Government and the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited which were referred in September 2019.
Similarly, the House discharged the Ad–hoc Committee to investigate Oil- Spill Clean-ups and Remediation in the Oil Producing States; Ad–hoc Committee on the recent global crash in the price of Crude Oil on the Appropriation Act, 2020 as well as the Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the non-inclusion of waste management and disposal in the NLNG Train-7 Project which were referred since March 2020.
Also affected are the Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the financial budgetary provisions, approvals and multilateral donations on skills and acquisition and related programmes of the Federal Government and its Agencies which was referred since July 2020 as well as the Ad–hoc Committee on Power Sector Reform which was referred since May 2020.
The House also discharged the Ad–hoc Committee on the need to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition, and related hardware by the military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria; Ad–hoc Committee to Investigate the Governing Lease of Federal Government-owned Assets which were referred since December 2020.
The Ad–hoc Committee set up to investigate the failure of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to release retention funds which were referred since March 2021, was also relieved of its function.
Hon Fulata further observed that the affected Ad-hoc Committees failed to adhere to the Speaker’s directive on 26 April 2021, that all Ad–hoc Committees should present their reports on or before 30, April 2021.
In his intervention, however, the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu observed that the reasons for non-compliance by Committees to the timely submission of the report was due to inadequate funding and untimely release of funds by the Account Department to enable the Committee’s work within the stipulated time frame.
While ruling, the Speaker who urged the Committees to examine their activities, stressed that not all referrals require public hearings.
Also at plenary, the House rescinded its resolution on the referral of a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Advertising Practitioners Act and Enact the Advertising Practitioners Bill, 2021.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Abubakar Fulata.
According to him, the House had on 23, March 2021, passed through second reading a bill to repeal and enact the Advertising Practitioners and referred to the Committee on Commerce for further legislative action.
“The House also notes that the Bill relates to an Apex Regulatory Authority for the Nigerian Advertising Profession and Practice for the Regulation and Control of the Profession and business advertising and therefore, erroneously assumed to be under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Commerce.”
The House is aware that the Advertising Practitioners Council which the Bill seeks to regulate is within the purview of the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.
To this end, the House resolved to rescind its decision on the Advertising Practitioners Bill and commit same to the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values for further legislative action.
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and then