As plenary resumes this week after a long recess, OrderPaper’s Legislative Intelligence Forecast Entry (LIFE) highlights critical issues expected to dominate discussions in the Senate and the House of Representatives
Nigerian lawmakers resume full legislative activities in the National Assembly on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, after nine weeks of recess.
It is known that annual recess in the legislative calendar is expected to serve as a vital opportunity for federal lawmakers to engage in extensive constituency outreach across the country as well as oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
However, how have Nigerians fared in these 63 days of absence from plenary by lawmakers? As the National Assembly reconvenes, the nation’s attention is focused on the lawmakers, with heightened expectations that key national issues, many of which have intensified during the recess, will finally be addressed. This Legislative Intelligence Forecast Entry (LIFE) by OrderPaper highlights the critical topics expected to dominate discussions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives this week.
Among the key topics expected to take centre stage this week are the incessant hike and in fuel prices and revisiting the challenges in the petroleum industry, Borno State flooding and other flood cases across the country, congratulatory message to Edo Governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo and delivery of agenda setting speeches by the speaker and president of the senate.
Fuel price hike
One of the issues that will likely gain the attention of lawmakers is the continual increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The price of petrol went from N238 in May 2023 to between N950 and N1,100 per litre in September 2024 despite the long awaited rollout of Dangote refinery’s petroleum products. The surge in fuel prices has exacerbated economic hardships for Nigerians, pushing up transportation costs and contributing to the astronomical rise in food prices. These challenges have placed immense pressure on citizens, sparking widespread frustration and demands for government intervention.
The call to address fuel hike will be intense especially as the both chambers are expected to inaugurate a joint ad hoc committee on the petroleum industry.
Borno Flood and matters arising
The recent flood in Borno has left the state in a dilemma following the displacement of over 400,000 people. Residents of Maiduguri are now at increased risk of malaria and waterborne diseases, including cholera. On September 10, heavy rain caused the Alau Dam in Borno to overflow, leading to major floods that heavily impacted houses, markets, fields, livestock, and several health facilities.
While the government, the National Assembly and well-meaning Nigerians rose up to task to sympathise and donated to Borno State to cushion the menace, it has become pertinent for the National Assembly to find lasting solutions through legislative channels as they resume plenary sessions.
Congratulatory messages to Edo Governor-elect
On Sunday September 23,2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the keenly contested poll in Edo State.
Okpebholo, polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo, garnered 247,274 votes. The third force, the Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, with 22,763 votes.
As is the custom of the Senate, it is expected that the Senate will felicitate with the Edo governor-elect upon resumption.
Agenda-setting speeches and Public Complaints Commission (PCC) inauguration
Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, is expected to outline the legislative priorities for the House as part of his agenda-setting speech, a tradition that frames the focus of each legislative term. This address will likely touch on critical national issues such as security, economic recovery, and governance reforms.
Additionally, one of the immediate tasks for the House will be the inauguration of the new board of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), a key institution tasked with addressing grievances from the public regarding administrative injustice in government ministries and agencies.
