Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the house would in the course of the year focus more on Bills, as well as motions that will enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria, and how to cut the cost of governance.
In a welcome address to his colleagues as the 2021 legislative year commences, Gbajabiamila on Wednesday, said the House would also make frantic efforts to surpass its achievements of last year, citing other specific areas of focus.
He said though the Legislature does not have the control of the various security agencies, it would ensure the use of its appropriation powers to hold those responsible accountable as well as continue to collaborate with the Executive arm to improve the security situation in the country.
“In the 2021 legislative year, we will focus the attention of the House of Representatives on bills and motions that improve ease of doing business and unlock economic potential by stripping away restrictive regulation and ending predatory regulatory practices that deprive our young people the opportunity to conquer new frontiers.
“In this age of technology and innovation, of daring and enterprise, we cannot risk implementing policies that handicap our ability as a nation to participate in new markets and profit from emerging industries.
“The true test of government is in our ability to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. We cannot separate the goal of economic prosperity from the ambition to ensure that all our people live in a just society free from abuse of power and protected by a justice system built on fairness and the rule of law.
“Therefore, we will shortly begin considering Bills to amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. We will follow up with a long-overdue review of the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Act and other legislation that seek to deliver a justice system that works for all,” he said.
He said the constitution vests the responsibility of security and welfare of the people on all those that have sworn to serve in government, saying “Every time a citizen going about their business is killed or kidnapped, loses their property or livelihood, we have failed in our obligation.
“From the abundance of these failures has emerged a culture of self-help in matters of internal security that portends grave danger for our nation’s continued existence”, he noted.
