LEGISLATVE AGENDA

The Legislative Agenda outlines the policy and reform priorities of the legislature and provides a framework for prioritising legislative interventions.  In the 9^th Assembly, the Legislative Agenda has been a useful tool for managing legislative priorities and ensuring responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people.  in the 10^th House of Representatives,  with the support of my colleagues, we will constitute a Standing Committee on the Legislative Agenda of the 10^th House of Representatives to articulate the views and interests of members into a coherent governing agenda, to operate as a policy clearing house to ensure the implementation of the agenda and to do all other things necessary to facilitate the full implementation of the Legislative Agenda of the 10^th House of Representatives.

OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY

The oversight function of the House of Representatives is central to the constitutional mandate of parliament.  The House of Representatives oversees the implementation of laws, the formulation and execution of policies and the expenditure of funds from the public purse by the executive.  The purpose of oversight is to ensure that government resources are used efficiently and effectively for the public good and that the exercise of executive power is within the constraints defined by law.  For the 10^th House of Representatives to perform this function optimally, the following reforms will be adopted:

CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHMENT BILLS

Bills to establish agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria take up significant legislative time.  When these bills become law, they add to the cost of governance.  An intentional effort is required to reorganise the procedures for establishment bills.  The reorganisation will allow for more effective use of parliamentary time, promote robust debates, reduce the cost to the government of creating institutions that cannot be fully funded and ensure that when establishments are created, they have the informed support of Nigerian people.  The proposed changes are as follows:

1. 1. 1. Consideration of establishment bills in the 10^th House of Representatives will be limited to one plenary day a week.
      2. Establishment bills listed for consideration must include the following:

VOTING PROCEDURES

Voting on bills and motions in the 10^th House of Representatives will be by recorded division instead of voice votes, where any member on the floor moves a motion to that effect, and it is seconded by two other members.  Records of votes and proceedings of the House of Representatives, including the details of individual members’ votes, will be public information.  This will ensure that members’ contributions to legislative proposals are well-informed and allow citizens to track their representatives’ voting records.

INCLUSIVE AND STRUCTURED DEBATES

Debates and deliberations in plenary are essential parts of the operations of the House of Representatives.  These debates provide an opportunity for members from across the country to contribute their perspectives and concerns and advocate for the interests of their constituents.  To ensure the diversity of perspectives and ideas represented in the House of Representatives are adequately reflected in decision-making, debates on the floor will be structured according to geo-political zone and political parties.  Speaking time will be equitably allocated to provide sufficient floor time for members to amplify the voices of their constituents and provide for a more robust debate.

LEGISLATIVE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

The 10^th House of Representatives will improve the quality of its work and better serve the Nigerian people by investing in legislative capacity building.  Through training workshops, certified short courses and other specialised programs offered by the  National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and other development partners, we will build the capacity of members and staff of the legislature and improve our ability to pass effective legislation and serve the needs of constituents.

PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The 10^th House of Representatives will hold at least six nationally televised town hall events annually.  These town hall events will bring the leadership of the House of Representatives to interact directly with citizens across the country, explain legislative actions and decisions, hear from the people, give citizens a voice in the decision-making process and help to build and deepen a culture of participatory governance in the country.  Each town hall event will be held in a different geo-political zone to ensure all parts of the country are carried along.

WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Gender, youth and physical disability should not determine an individual’s ability to participate in the governance of their society or stand in the way of their contributions to national development.  I will ensure the voices of young people, women, persons living with disabilities and other Nigerians who are too often left out of the critical conversations about our nationhood are included and heard in the 10^th House of Representatives.   As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I will:

OPEN GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

The credibility required to govern effectively is earned through a deliberate effort by those who control the levers of power in a society.  Nothing discredits government more than the appearance of opacity in decision-making.  The 10^th House of Representatives will make deliberate efforts to bridge the trust deficit between the House and the people by:

THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS

Control of public funds in the Federal Government is the constitutional duty of the National Assembly.  The Assembly must make appropriations in law to authorise expenditures from the public purse.  It is from the constitutional authority to make appropriations that the parliament derives the secondary power to oversee the details of spending by the executive.  The following reforms are proposed to improve the appropriations process in the National Assembly and ensure the budget design and implementation meet the Nigerian people’s expectations.

1. 1. National Assembly Budget Office. Most members of the National Assembly come to their role without any knowledge of budget functions and processes.  This problem will be exacerbated in the 10^th House of Representatives, where nearly 80% of members will be new legislators.  The National Assembly Budget Office will be an independent, non-partisan, statutory office comprised of economists, lawyers, and budget analysts.  The office will work with the Budget Office of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to produce independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the legislative budget process and advise members and committees of the National Assembly on decision-making regarding the appropriations process.
   2. Core Competence Budgeting. An emerging trend of ministries, departments and agencies budgeting for and executing projects outside their core competence has created a crisis of confidence amongst Nigerians about the use of scarce resources in the Federal Government.  In the 10^th National Assembly, we will seek to end this practice.  Budget proposals by ministries, departments and agencies must reflect the core competencies of the proposing agencies.  Amongst other things, this will help end the perennial issue of duplication of projects across multiple MDAs.
   3. Budget Defence. Ministries, departments, and Federal government agencies must provide written justification for the line items in their budget proposals.  Except in instances where the publication of such information could have adverse national security consequences, these written justifications will be public documents to help the Nigerian people understand the reasoning behind expenditure proposals and aid in tracking budget implementation across the country.
   4. Budget Office Law. As a matter of the highest priority, the 10^th House of Representatives will seek to pass a bill establishing the Budget Office of the Federation as a statutory body empowered by law to manage the budget functions and processes of the Federation.  Additionally, the Budget Office Law will define budget offences and their penalties and empower the Budget Office to drive enforcement of these provisions.
   5. Additional Reforms. In the 10^th House of Representatives, we will additionally consider the following:

• Change from an annual to a biennial budget process. This will give the executive adequate time to fund and implement budgeted projects, provide more certainty in the operation of federal activities, and allow lawmakers more time to focus on oversight and longer-term policy development.
• Portfolio Budgeting.  Under the portfolio budgeting framework, decisions regarding aggregate spending and program priorities in the various principal policy areas are integrated into a single process that pulls together all related programs scattered across agency and committee jurisdictions.  For example, whereas budgeting for healthcare is currently siloed across multiple agencies, the federal healthcare budget will be considered a uniform entity under portfolio budgeting.  Funding for specific projects will be allocated to various implementing agencies.  This will eliminate project duplication and allow more effective and targeted utilisation of limited resources.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the foundation of our nationhood; it defines who we are and determines to a large extent, both our ability to aspire to greatness and our capacity to reach our highest aspirations.  As Speaker, I will endeavour to lead the 10^th House of Representatives to build on the constitutional reforms of the 9^th Assembly to ensure that we have for Nigeria a constitution that allows a better definition of our nationhood, that heeds the lessons of our history and will enable us to look forward to a future of promise and possibility.

JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”  With this turn of phrase, the late Dr King articulated, as only he could, that a society that opposes the ends of justice is an amoral society at war with itself.  Such a society is thus hindered from achieving its greatest and best aspirations.  The goal of one nation, moving forward together, depends on having a justice system that relies on truth to dispense equal justice under the law yet offers the possibility of mercy, rehabilitation, and redemption to the deserving.

POLICE REFORM

Making the Nigerian Police Force into a more effective crime-fighting organisation that operates within the rule of law and is accountable to the people may be the most consequential achievement of any administration in Nigeria.  The Nigerian Police Force is a constitutional creation.  As such, several of the substantive reforms to the way we police our country can only be achieved through amendments to the constitution of our republic; others may be achieved through amendments to the Police Act and the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act.   

1. 1. Repeal of Section 215(5). This provision of the constitution vests ultimate authority to hold the Nigeria Police Force accountable for their actions in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  This is an undemocratic aberration left over from the days of the military.  The police exist to serve the people, not the government.  As such, accountability should rest in civil democratic institutions, most especially the courts.
   2. Police Service Commission. Empower the Police Service Commission to operate more effectively as the internal affairs accountability and standard-setting mechanism for the Nigeria Police Force.  Define the role of the PSC in the recruitment, training, promotion and disciplining of police officers, men and women.
   3. Department of Police Accountability in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Advocate for the establishment of a dedicated department in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, mandated to pursue prosecution of police and law enforcement officers found to have acted illegally in the conduct of their duties.
   4. Community Policing: The House will push for constitutional reform to establish community policing within the federal police system. Some of the proposals in this reform package include:

• Community Police Committees. These are joint committees of police, citizens, civic, traditional, and religious leaders in the community.  These committees will allow for regular interface between the police and the community for the purposes of intelligence gathering and joint accountability.  leaders and will be recruited an The country is currently facing security challenges including kidnapping, Boko Haram, banditry, and unknown gunmen.  The absence of state policing has hindered states from effectively combating these threats, as they rely on federal government support.
• Police where you’re from. Police officers from cadet through to Superintendent will serve in their communities where they are recruited from.  Communities need to be policed by people they know, and people who know them.  This will help reduce the incidence of police officers operating like occupying forces in the areas they are posted to.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The constitution of our republic makes clear that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.  The last decade has seen the metamorphosis of security challenges bedevilling the country across every region.  While our armed forced have recorded and continue to record significant feats against the purveyors of violence against Nigerian citizens, the evolving threat matrix requires an ongoing effort to adopt and implement new strategies against our enemies, both foreign and domestic.

1. 1. National Security Summit. The 9th House of Representatives convened a National Security Summit that brought stakeholders together to holistically consider our national security challenges and recommend how to revamp our national security architecture to be more effective against these threats.  The 10^th House of Representatives will continue implementing the statutory reforms recommended at the summit.
   2. Balkanisation of National Security Functions. In multiple arenas, the balkanisation of national security functions and resources across multiple, often competing institutions has been identified as a significant mitigating factor against our national security interests.  In the 10th House of Representatives, we will seek to exercise legislative authority to achieve a more streamlined national security framework better suited to our needs.
   3. Accountability and Oversight for Law Enforcement Agencies. The House is dedicated to upholding the rule of law by ensuring accountability and oversight for all law enforcement agencies.  This is crucial in preventing any abuse of office, preventing human right violations, and keeping law enforcement officers in check.
   4. Improving intelligence gathering. The House will work towards passing laws and policies aimed at improving the intelligence gathering capabilities of security agencies, to enable them to detect and prevent security threats before they occur and improve their capacity to carry out intelligence-based interventions on a cross-agency basis.
   5. Addressing the root causes of insecurity. The House will work towards passing laws and policies aimed at addressing the underlying causes of insecurity in Nigeria, including poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
   6. Strengthening border security. The House will work towards passing laws and policies aimed at improving border security to prevent the influx of arms and ammunition, and to curb the activities of criminal gangs that operate across borders.
   7. Protecting critical infrastructure. The House will work towards passing laws and policies aimed at protecting critical infrastructure such as airports, seaports, power stations, and telecommunications facilities, from sabotage and attacks.
   8. Welfare of armed forces and law enforcement officers.

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Two and a half Nigerians fall into poverty every minute, with one out of four Nigerians or 71.3 million people living on less than $1.90 daily.  According to the World Poverty Clock, 18 Nigerians must exit poverty every minute for Nigeria to achieve a zero-poverty rate by 2030.  The House will focus on pushing policies for the economic development and advancement of the Nigerian economy.

• Encouraging Foreign Direct Investment. The House will encourage foreign direct investment by creating an attractive investment climate for foreign investors through policies such as tax incentives, streamlined business registration processes, and providing a conducive environment for investment.
• Infrastructure Development. The 10^th House of Representatives will be committed to addressing the infrastructural deficiency across the country.  The House will prioritise infrastructure development by allocating more funds for the construction and maintenance of roads, railways, airports, and power supply.  This will enhance connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and promote economic activities across the country.

1. 1. Utilise public-private partnerships. The House will push for policy and law reforms that encourage building partnerships with private companies to finance and construct infrastructure projects which will help reduce the burden on taxpayers and accelerate project timelines.
   2. Investment in sustainable infrastructure. The House will prioritise investment in infrastructure that is environmentally sustainable, such as renewable energy and public transportation systems.
   3. Innovative funding mechanisms. The House will explore alternative funding mechanisms such as user fees, congestion pricing, or tax increment financing to support infrastructure development.

• Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: The House will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through policies such as tax breaks, access to finance, and technical support. This will help to create more jobs, increase income, and promote economic growth.
• Agricultural Development. The House will prioritise agricultural development by promoting policies that support farmers, increase access to finance, and provide access to markets for agricultural produce.  This will help to increase food security, reduce poverty, and promote economic growth.
• Trade Policies. The House will promote trade policies that support the Nigerian economy by creating a favourable trade environment for Nigerian businesses.  This will involve reviewing and negotiating trade agreements that protect Nigerian businesses, products, and services.
• Innovation and Technology. The House will encourage innovation and technology development by supporting research and development, providing access to technology, and promoting technology transfer.  This will help to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth.
• Good Governance and Accountability. The House will prioritise good governance and accountability in the management of public resources.  This will involve promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in the management of public funds, contracts, and other resources.  This will help to promote economic growth and development by creating an enabling environment for businesses and investors.

EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC LIFE

Nigeria cannot achieve the success we desire unless we determine to build a nation where women are free to pursue their highest aspirations and achieve their maximum potential.  To achieve such a society, we must create opportunities for women to thrive in politics and commerce, and we must make sure that the laws of our land do not take away the rights of Nigerian women to participate fully in every sector of our national life.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Access to quality and affordable healthcare is an essential requitement for a good quality of life.  Unfortunately, for too many Nigerians, access to quality health care is an unaffordable luxury.  As a result, millions of our fellow countrymen die every year from preventable and treatable diseases.  The central question for government is how to fund access to healthcare in the face of dwindling revenues, and how to improve the health and well-being of our citizens.

1. 1. Improve Benefits and Welfare Package. Within the limits of available resources, the 10^th House of Representatives will seek to improve the welfare and benefits package of public sector health workers in the country.
   2. Ensure availability of working tools. The absence of working resources is often sighted by departing doctors as their reason for either departing the profession or departing Nigeria to practice the profession somewhere else.  In the 10^th House of Representatives, we will improve the working conditions of medical health professionals by ensuring the provision of adequate equipment, facilities, and supplies across federal government owned healthcare facilities.
   3. Support for Private Sector Investment in Healthcare Provision. Private healthcare service providers play an important role in the healthcare services value chain, particularly by offering high-end services to clients who will other see seek such services overseas.  The 10^th House of Representatives will engage with the organised private sector in a partnership to explore policy and legislative actions to encourage and support new and existing private health care service providers in Nigeria.
   4. National Health Infrastructure Development Fund. The 10^th House of Representatives will consider the enactment of a National Health Infrastructure Development Fund to enhance and promote the health and well-being of Nigerians through the provision of critical health infrastructure, by funding long-term credit facilities to Nigerian-owned health and wellbeing infrastructure or projects in Nigeria at such terms as may be directed by the Federal Government, being rates and terms designed to support the sustainability and to accelerate operational efficiency of the enterprise or project.
   5. Patients’ Bill of Rights. The 10^th House of Representatives will enact a Patients’ Bill of Rights to formalise into enforceable legislation, the rights, duties, and responsibilities of healthcare providers to patients in Nigeria.  Medical service providers, responsible for people’s lives must be held to a higher standard of professional conduct.

EDUCATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

In the 10^th House of Representatives, we will seek to make access to quality and affordable education a policy priority of the Federal Government.  We will work with stakeholders to enact new approaches to financing public tertiary education in the country, we will revamp the structure and operations of our universities, polytechnics, and specialist colleges to create an education system that is inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the needs of our society.