Tambuwal lists Reps’ agenda •Reads riot act to MDAs •Says it won’t be business as usual

THE House of Representatives leadership, on Tuesday, listed how the legislative work will be carried out in the seventh National Assembly and also read the riot act

to Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), saying things would not be done in the old way.

This came after the lawmakers went for an executive session for about three hours to discuss their legislative duties, setting up a constitution review committee with each state, and the FCT nominating one member, the insecurity in the country, office and their own accommodation before resuming plenary.

The Speaker, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, who chaired the plenary, disclosed that, “over the next four years, the House will pursue an aggressive legislative agenda to reposition itself as a key branch of government, able and determined to deliver on the key elements of governance.”

He said that the legislative agenda of the House would be targeted at reviving and diversifying the economy, generating employment, strengthening national security, curbing corruption, tackling the electricity crisis and general infrastructural decay, improving health and educational sectors and working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The speaker promised that “we seek to do things differently and reverse the notion of business as usual approach that has been a source of worry to our people.

“We will be sensitive to what the Nigerian people want and increase our public sensitivity quotient.”

He raised the alarm about federal revenue leakages, especially with reports that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were failing to adequately account for revenues received in their area of activities, while promising that the House would ensure it plugged the leakages.

Meanwhile, to reduce government’s running cost, the speaker disclosed that the House would review the laws establishing commissions and agencies, with a view to reducing wastages and eliminating duplication of mandate.

He added that the House would also consider legislation to empower the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to take on the responsibility of ensuring fiscal efficiency in the collection of all revenues due and accruing to the federation.

“The current practice of revenue collection and transfer of consolidated revenue fund is replete with loopholes that will be important to plug if the nation is to earn what is due to it from the revenue earning departments and agencies of government,” he said.

On national budget, the speaker said henceforth, the House, in receiving the budget from the presidency, would emphasise compliance with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, adding that “the executive shall, at least 30 days before the deadline of the submission of its budget proposals, place at the disposal of the National Assembly, the revenue estimates for the following year, including the net current revenue and the respective memorandum items.”

Tambuwal said the monitoring of budgets to achieve value for money and delivery on promise would be of importance to the House, adding that mechanism would be put in place to achieve best practices based on mid-term budget implementation review/debate.

On the Jumbo pay, allowances and the running costs of members, the speaker acknowledged the concerns being raised by Nigerians about the development and said the House would be more transparent.