NASS: Agenda setting and the way forward

LAST week saw the resumption of both chambers of the National Assembly after about eight weeks of recess. The essence of the break is for them to take some time off their legislative duties in order to rest and unwind. One may not be wrong to say that they have rested enough and are ready for the tasks ahead. Well, last Tuesday’s plenary proceedings had on the front burner pending legisiative issues such as constitutional review exercise, 2022 budget, electoral act and security matters. These issues are regarded as topmost on the agenda of the ninth assembly.

Recall that soon after its inauguration in 2019, the joint NASS rolled out an agenda which according to it would be the framework that would guide their operations for the duration of their tenure. However, the legislators have come under public scrutiny in the way and manner some of these issues are handled. Issues such as the Petroleum Industry Bill, electoral act, increasing youth unemployment, fight against corruption, security of lives and property, generated the most criticisms. Many Nigerians are of the opinion that the legislators are not giving their all in order to tackle the issues, and they may have lost confidence in their ability to do so.

Looking at insecurity, both the House and Senate had on different sittings sought ways of helping the executive arm of government in bringing an end to the issue. It will interest you to know that some time last year, the lawmakers invited the President to come and explain what his government was doing to end insecurity in the country. This is despite the fact that from 2019 till date, about ninety (90) resolutions have been passed by the House on insecurity.

Be that as it may, there seems to be some ray of hope in the war against insecurity as their efforts may have finally jolted the President. Recently, two bills were sent to the Senate for approval by President Muhammadu Buhari. The bills are Transmission of Explosives Bill, 2021 and Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2021. No doubt, there is a proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country with indulgence by criminal elements. Thus it is expected that when these bills are passed, it will control the amount of small arms, light weapons and explosives in the country.

The first letter on the transmission of the control of small arms and light weapons bill 2021 to the National Assembly for consideration reads: “pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward herewith, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021 for the kind consideration of the Senate. The bill basically seeks to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons into a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

As stated in the letter, when fully operational the centre would go a long way at expressing Nigeria’s optimism and practical commitment to the global fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, including the mopping up of existing small arms and light weapons which have become a significant driver of insecurity across the federation. This to many, is a welcome development that would build on the recommendations reached at the special summit organised by the House of Representatives in May.

In the second letter with the Transmission of the Explosives Bill 2021 to the National Assembly for consideration, the President said: “pursuant to Section 56(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward herewith the Explosives Bill 2021 for the kind consideration by the Senate. The bill seeks to repeal the explosives act, to regulate the manufacture, storage, possession, distribution, purchase, sale, transportation, and exportation of explosives and for related matters.

Reports show that beyond resolutions and motions, certain concrete steps to legislate on security issues were taken. On June 9, the House of Representatives introduced nine (9) new security bills to the floor. The bills are the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2007 (Amendment) Bill 2021, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, amongst others.

Others are the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, Customs and Excise Management Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition ( Ratification and Enforcement) Bill 2021 and National Security Agencies Act (Amendment) Bill 2021. Last but not the least, in a series of actions to promote police reform in the country, the House passed the revised Police Act 2020 and the Police Service Commission Reform Bill, 2020 which the President assented to in November 2020.

While the National Assembly may have achieved notable feat in some agenda, it however, failed to meet up with some critical legislations. The budget implementation is one of such. After breaking the jinx on budget delays and returning its cycle to the January to December calendar, getting the executive to fully comply to it may have robbed them of their pass mark. Nevertheless, some level of progress is being achieved as relevant committees of both chambers met during the recess with heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in regard to the revenue projections for the budget.

Both chambers are also expected to set up a harmonisation committee to enable them arrive at a concensus regarding the 2010 electoral act (amendment) bill which generated a whole lot of controversy before the recess. You will recall that both the Senate and House of Representatives passed divergent versions of the electoral act, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of election results as contained in clause 52(3) of the bill. While the House adopted the clause as originally proposed to by the joint committees of both chambers, the Senate chose to amend.

Also topping the agenda for consideration is the report on the constitutional review exercise, separately carried out by ad-hoc committees set up for that purpose. While the lawmakers promised that it would come up with a people oriented constitution, their interpretation of some aspects of the constitution points otherwise. As Nigerians look forward to the promise that it will be one of the legislative items to be attended to on their resumption, Nigerians are indeed hopeful and looking forward to a people oriented constitution.