Reps passed 89 bills in one year, says Tajudeen Abbas

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, says the 10th house passed 89 bills across priority areas in one year.

Speaking during a workshop organised for the house of representatives press corps in Kaduna on Saturday, Abbas highlighted the performance of the lawmakers in the past 17 months.

“I am pleased to highlight our significant strides in the past seventeen months. Our One-Year performance assessment scorecard reveals remarkable achievements, including passing 89 bills across our priority areas,” he said.

“These include the Electric Power Sector Reform (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023; the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023; the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024; the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the National Anthem Bill, 2024; and the Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023.

“These laws address critical aspects of governance, security, and economic reform.”

The speaker said besides lawmaking, the house of representatives undertook various initiatives to deepen public engagement and enhance the legislative process.

He said the house organised the national dialogue on state policing, a national discourse on Nigeria’s security challenges and a retreat on the effective implementation of the petroleum industry act (PIA), tax reform modernisation dialogues and the citizens’ town hall on the 2024 appropriation bill, among others.

“Beyond legislation, the House has undertaken various initiatives to deepen public engagement and enhance the legislative process,” he added.

“These include the National Dialogue on State Policing, the National Discourse on Nigerian Security Challenges, a retreat on the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, tax reform modernisation dialogues, the Citizens’ Town Hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill, and the pre-legislative presentation of tax reform bills.

“These engagements underscore our commitment to ensuring that governance is inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”

Abbas urged journalists to be cautious in their reportage of the activities of lawmakers to avoid misinformation.

At a separate event, the speaker announced the establishment of four new tertiary institutions in Zaria.

The institutions include a federal college of education, college of health sciences, a National Open University campus, and a college of legal studies.

He said the institutions will enhance Zaria’s educational infrastructure and provide critical resources for the region.