Abbas: We’re ready to urgently respond to yearnings of Nigerians

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, says the parliament is ready to “urgently” address the yearnings of Nigerians.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting organised by the house ad hoc committee on legislative agenda, Abbas said the 10th house of representatives will give utmost importance to citizens’ engagement.

He said the committee on legislative agenda convened the meeting to speak with stakeholders to identify the most pressing legislative needs of the nation.

“It is gratifying to note that the committee has been proactive and engaging for more than one month now,” he said.

“There is no better way to show that the 10th house of representatives is ready to respond, and urgently too, to the yearnings of those who brought us to the people’s house to do the people’s business.

“Today’s event is to keep up with our resolve as representatives of the people to regularly consult citizens in the discharge of the mandate given to us. I expect that our conversations will centre around the critical needs of our people at this time.

“As stakeholders, feel free to suggest your ideas or even bring up more themes on what will make the 10th house more responsive to the expectations of our people.

“We desire to have a legislative agenda that meets the yearnings and aspirations of citizens and with which they would use as a benchmark to evaluate and assess our performance after four years. Therefore, today’s meeting should not be seen as the usual talk shop. Consider it a critical national assignment.”

Abbas said the house will run an open parliament by regularly consulting with the people, noting that the lawmakers will “return the legislature to those who own it through regular, meaningful, and productive engagements”.

“It equally requires lawmakers to have functional constituency offices for regular interaction with our constituents,” he added.