The House of Representatives is set to hold a two-day retreat to strengthen the legislative and oversight capacity of Members, as well as foster collaborative efforts towards economic development and tax reforms.
The House of Representatives with the support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung is set to hold a two-day retreat for its Members, to strengthen their legislative and oversight capacity, as well as foster collaborative efforts towards economic development and tax reforms.
The retreat will feature engaging panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed at equipping participants with practical tools and strategies to drive impactful legislative and oversight endeavours.
With the theme, “Navigating Change: Legislative Strategies for Economic Transformation,” the retreat is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the Spokesman/Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr. on Friday, April 26, 2023.
Rotimi acknowledged that the retreat is in line with the strategic initiative of the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives to collaborate with legislative support institutions and partners to sustain capacity development programmes for Members.
According to him, the retreat will be declared open by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The statement reads “In alignment with its Legislative Agenda which prioritises Economic Growth and Development, the People’s House acknowledges the crucial role of the legislature in shaping the economic trajectory of a nation, as well as influencing the economic environment (directly and indirectly) through its lawmaking and oversight powers.
“Thus, this retreat is designed to further deepen the understanding of Members on the significance of the Petroleum Industry Act in transforming the oil and gas sector. Objectives also include exploring parliament’s role in tax reforms, and the importance of effective oversight in public financial management and tax administration, among others.”
Anticipated stakeholders at the retreat include Mele Kyari; Group CEO, NNPCL; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil & Gas, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji; Executive Secretary, NEITI and Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu; Chairman, ICPC.
Others are Taiwo Oyedele; Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, FCA; Chairman, FIRS, Wale Edun; Minister of Finance, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON; Minister of Budget and National Planning, and Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Distinguished guests to grace the event include Senator Godswill Akpabio; President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; Speaker of the 5th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh; 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives, and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, among others.
