The Nigerian House of Representatives has rescinded its earlier decision to limit plenary sitting to only once a week from the normal three times due to pending dangers of the second wave of COVID 19 in the country.
The House took the earlier decision considering the susceptibility of its three hundred and sixty members concealed in a chamber for hours in the name of plenary.
Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Mr. Benjamin Kanu who announced the development said that continuing with the once a week sitting will jeopardize the House constitutional requirement of sitting for at least 181days in a legislative year.
Mr. Kalu said with plenary now fixed for Tuesdays and Wednesdays of every week, more work would get done at that level, while the target is to revert to the normal three day plenary sitting a week for even better productivity.
On the pile-up of Reports waiting to be laid before and considered by the House in session, Mr. Kalu gave the assurance that with the improved sitting schedule, the Reports will now be dealt with, with dispatch.
“For those who are looking forward to particular Reports to be considered, since no Report was more important than the other, they would be dealt-with on first come first served basis.
For Reports with wide appeal and of national interest like that on Electoral Reform, the House Leadership’s resolve to get it done latest by the end of April still stand,” he said.
The House spokesman also explained that with the decision jointly taken by members that the laying and consideration of the Report on the review of Electoral Reform must take place on the same day, a date for a full-house must be fixed for the exercise.
He described consideration of the Report as key to the sustenance of democracy in the country and as such every section of the country must be carried along through their representatives.
Nnenna.O
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