The Speaker said the policy brief series will ensure that policy-makers are making the right choices and decisions to address the country’s security challenges and ensure the stability of its economy.
The House of Representatives is set to unveil its Policy Brief Series for key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
The Initiative is aimed at improving constitutional oversight of the executive arm.
Tagged ‘Sectoral Debates,’ the series forms part of initiatives by the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen-led House to improve its constitutional oversight of the Executive arm of government, and is in line with the Legislative Agenda for the 10th Assembly, which is now being finalised.
The inaugural session will be held on Thursday, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, and his Deputies, who have been invited to brief parliament about key policies of the apex bank.
The initiative is coming at a time when citizens are looking to the government for solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.
While announcing the development during plenary on Wednesday, the Speaker stated that the series is in furtherance of the constitutional mandate of the House, urging members to take advantage of the opportunity to be the voice of Nigerians and engage the invited government officials on the key issues the country faces at this crucial point in time.
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“Now, more than ever before, we need to ensure our policy-makers are making the right choices and decisions to address our security challenges and ensure long-term growth and stability of our economy”, he said.
The policy brief series will be followed by sessions with key officials in sectors such as Security, Power, and Agriculture, etc., in subsequent plenary sessions, even as it will provide lawmakers the opportunity to ask invited government officials questions on areas requiring legislative interventions.
Speaking on the initiative, House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., said “The Sectoral Debate Series is intended to provide political appointees and key government officials an opportunity to brief Members of the House of Representatives about the policies and programmes of their respective MDAs.
“These briefs are scheduled to take place during specific plenary sessions of the House and would go a long way in fostering constructive and transparent dialogue between all arms of government in line with the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth House of Representatives.
“Citizens and indeed, our constituents are welcome to follow these sessions via our live broadcast platforms to gain perspectives on critical policies that shape the various sectors of our national life,” Rep. Rotimi added.
