The House of Representatives has responded to public worries about its ever-growing number of standing committees, which has now reached 134, even as the country faces economic hardship.
Appointed by Speaker Rep. Tajudeen Abbas in June, these 134 committees were entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the 10th House of Representatives.
In response to these actions, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi, has come forward to explain the House’s decisions during a discussion with the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja.
Rotimi addressed concerns about potential overlaps in the functions of these committees and emphasized that the 10th assembly’s approach differs from its predecessors.
In the ninth assembly, led by former Speaker Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, there were 109 standing committees. Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara constituted 96 such committees in the eighth assembly, while in the seventh assembly, there were 89.
Nonetheless, in the 10th assembly under Speaker Abbas, the count of standing committees had surged to 134.
Some Nigerians have expressed apprehensions regarding what they perceive as an excessive number of committees, which appears to contradict President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance. This concern arises, particularly in light of escalating fuel prices and the ensuing economic challenges.
Rotimi, who also serves as the spokesperson for the House, underscored that the speaker’s decision to establish 134 standing committees was a well-thought-out one.
He further committed to maintaining the house’s regular press briefings with parliamentary reporters, underscoring the significance of transparency in the leadership of the 10th assembly.
Moreover, Rotimi pointed out that the House had advanced bills and motions, with more than 300 motions deliberated upon and approximately 1,800 bills in various phases of advancement.