…says we must not throw away the baby with bath water
…insists budgetary envelope system needs to be reformed
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday said the Electoral Act Amendment Bill reforms rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari will get adequate attention as it will be treated to suit what Nigerians want.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gbajabiamila made this assertion while delivering his end of year speech on the floor of the House as lawmakers prepare to pass the 2022 Budget.
Hear him:”This year, despite the differences of opinions, all of us in the House of Representatives and indeed, the entire National Assembly, worked to pass the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
” We included in that bill, provisions we hoped will significantly enhance the conduct of our national elections and improve public confidence in our electoral outcomes.
” As it is now, that bill has not received presidential assent, and it falls to parliament to decide the best way forward. When we return in the new year, we will resume our efforts to reform the electoral system in our country. And we will do it together. That is what the Nigerian people expect of us, and we will do our duty for God and country.
“Whichever way it pans out, we must not throw out the baby with the bath water and must deliver a credible and enduring electoral system to Nigerians. Every law is a living document and as long as it has breath, it must survive.
Read full speech below:
” This is the last plenary session of the year, and what a year it has been. I thank God almighty for his grace and mercy upon us. I remember our colleagues we lost this year, and I pray once more for the eternal repose of their souls. I remember all the families across the country who suffered the loss of loved ones, and I pray that the souls of all the dearly departed rest in peace.
” Today, we will pass the Appropriation Bill 2022 in the House of Representatives. This is in keeping with the new tradition of operating an annual national budget from January to December. I thank the Chairmen of Committees of the House and all the members who worked hard to ensure that we pass the budget in time to maintain the record we have set in this regard.
“In the 9th National Assembly, we have, with each budget cycle, sought to improve the appropriations process to ensure more effective and efficient allocation and use of our national resources. A recurring challenge is how best to ensure that the ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government adher strictly to the letter of the appropriation law. This is a subject of grave concern, especially now when we must contend with the reality of limited resources amid significant developmental challenges. Therefore, in the new year, the House of Representatives will explore further options for legislative action in this regard.
“During consideration of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, we were inundated with requests for funding from Ministries, departments and agencies of government, all of whom require additional funding to effectively discharge their mandates. We recognise the genuine urgency of many of these requests and we have tried within the reality of limited revenues to meet the most critical needs. However, one thing that is now abundantly clear, is that the legislature needs to act to reform the envelope system currently in place because it imposes conditions that do not make for optimal outcomes. At the same time, we must begin also to consider options for merging agencies where there is a significant overlap in functions and responsibilities, and scrapping other institutions where their utility is no longer apparent.
” Last year, like the rest of the world, Nigeria was immersed in the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, the pandemic still persists, evolving in ways that portend danger for our people here at home and all over the world.
” Two areas of particular concern are the issue of vaccine hesitancy and the international response to emerging variants in ways that seem to target the African continent. We have seen through years of scientific evidence that vaccines work. They have worked to combat yellow fever and measles and to end polio. At the height of the pandemic, we prayed for deliverance from the trap of this deadly disease. Vaccines are the answer to that prayer, and as leaders in our communities, we should encourage people to take advantage of the protection offered by science to prevent illness and death.
” Just as importantly, it is evident that the ability to cross boundaries and participate in global trade in the coming months will depend on proof of vaccination. We cannot afford to isolate ourselves or allow others to cut us off from global civilisation at a time when our national economic indices remain lower than they ought to as a direct consequence of the contraction in international trade due to the continuing pandemic.
“The troubling reality of financial hardship for many Nigerians requires that government continues to invest in infrastructure and education and diversify our economy from a dangerous overreliance on fossil fuels. This is the only real long-term option for addressing the problems of unemployment and economic disenfranchisement in our country.
” Our ability to do these things will be significantly reduced if we cannot participate fully in the international order.
” Last year, the House of Representatives initiated a long overdue effort to reform the statutory framework for public health emergency response in our country. At that time, our good faith efforts were willfully mischaracterised by individuals who saw the moment as an opportunity to score cheap political points and earn the passing accolades of the ignorant and misinformed. Today, the whole world is grappling with the issues we sought to identify and address then. There are many lessons to be learned from that experience.
” Most paramount of them all, is that public policy is serious business and the welfare of the Nigerian people must never be surrendered on the altar of cheap populism or the pursuit of short term political advantage.
” This year the House of Representatives took particular interest in strategic reforms to improve the national security architecture in our country. We passed meaningful legislation, such as the Police Service Commission (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Act. At the same time, we are taking expedited action on proposals to amend the Armed Forces Act, the Police Act and the enabling statutes of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
” With these reforms, our intention is to address structural inadequacies of our internal security systems that have left us dangerously exposed. We will continue our efforts in this regard so that evident improvements to our national security will count as part of the legacy of the 9th House of Representatives.
10. By the time we resume next year, we will be closer to the end of our tenures, with national elections rapidly approaching.
“In the past, election years have witnessed a decline in governance activities as political pursuits cloud the calendar. That will not be the case this time around.
“As you are aware, we have a legislative agenda in this 9th House of Representatives, which we tagged ‘Our Contract with Nigerians’. I expect that we will do everything within our power to keep the commitments we made in that document.
“So that when we appear before our various constituencies, we can stand tall in the knowledge that despite challenges and difficulties, we did what we promised to do, and given a chance again, will do even more.
” This year, despite the differences of opinions, all of us in the House of Representatives and indeed, the entire National Assembly, worked to pass the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
“We included in that bill, provisions we hoped will significantly enhance the conduct of our national elections and improve public confidence in our electoral outcomes. As it is now, that bill has not received presidential assent, and it falls to parliament to decide the best way forward. When we return in the new year, we will resume our efforts to reform the electoral system in our country. And we will do it together. That is what the Nigerian people expect of us, and we will do our duty for God and country.
“Whichever way it pans out, we must not throw out the baby with the bath water and must deliver a credible and enduring electoral system to Nigerians. Every law is a living document and as long as it has breath, it must survive.
“Honourable colleagues, I wish, at this time, to pay special tribute to the men and women who serve our country in uniform. I speak of those of our fellow citizens who serve in the armed forces, and at significant cost to themselves and their families, take action every day to protect our country. I honour their service and sacrifice, and I ask you to join me in doing the same.
“I also celebrate all Nigerians who, despite challenges, still believe in the promise of Nigeria. And who acting in that belief, continue investing in Nigeria and innovating here. I want to assure you that you have the gratitude of the 9th House, and more importantly, our support in every way required.
” Honourable colleagues, I speak to you today in the assurance that we are God’s people – a country of diverse cultures united by our incomparable ability to bloom and thrive despite adversity. I remain confident that through whatever trials we might face, the triumphant spirit of the Nigerian people will overcome as we continue our march to peace, progress and prosperity more abundant. And I am thankful to God almighty for the grace and fortune to lead this assemblage of distinguished Nigerians in the 9th House as we work together in this joint task of nation-building.
” Please, use the recess to rest and recover, to engage with your constituents and be informed by their concerns and opinions. This will allow us to be more effective legislators when we return in the New year. I wish you safe travels, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year.
