Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to the House of Representatives’ concerns over stalled legislative collaboration, assuring that the Senate is committed to the swift consideration of over 160 House-passed bills currently pending in the upper chamber.
Akpabio made the assurance on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message at the Open Well of the House of Representatives. He revealed that since the House expressed its dissatisfaction last week, the Senate has already considered and passed six of the pending bills.
The House, in a rare show of defiance, had resolved to stop considering Senate-passed bills, citing the Senate’s failure to act on numerous bills originating from the lower chamber.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had lamented that about 10 of his own bills were among those left unattended in the Senate.
Acknowledging the House’s frustration, Akpabio said the Senate “received the message loud and clear” and is taking action. He noted that four additional House bills are scheduled for consideration on Tuesday, and that the Senate will dedicate the next two weeks to clearing the backlog.
He said, “You are doing well. You have done very well. We commit to considering all House bills and will devote the next two weeks to doing that, so that you will bring more bills in the interest of the Nigerian people.
“We want to finish the consideration of those bills sent in by you because we don’t joke with you”.
He, however, said that the open week is an avenue for the Nigerian people to engage with their elected representatives and get a clear idea of the role of the legislator, adding that the House has taken the lead in organising the open week and the Senate will follow suit.
He said the forum was important as it would bring the people up to date with the function of the legislators, which he said does not include building roads and providing employment for the people.
“Many people don’t know that it is not the duty of the lawmaker to build roads, offer employment, among others, but representation, oversight and lawmaking, attributing the high casualty rate during elections to the lack of knowledge of the function of the legislators.”
Akpabio also spoke about the attitude of legislators, which he said is not in tandem with the rules of the parliament.
He said, “Many lawmakers travel at will and without the knowledge and permission of the Presiding officers. When that happens, you are supposed to be declared AWOL because the right thing to do is for you to formally write to inform the Presiding officer that you are travelling.
“But many lawmakers will travel without information. We are supposed to know. What happens if something happens where you are going?”
