By Becky Usman

The House of Representatives made a significant adjustment to its committee structure, removing the Standing Committee on Military and Paramilitary Pension during a three-hour session chaired by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu Okezie. This move reduced the total number of committees from 140 to 139.

During the “committee of the whole” session, lawmakers deliberated on the 51-clause report of the Ad-hoc committee on the Review of Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, presented by Chairman Honourable Igariwey Enwo. Deputy Speaker Kalu employed persuasive tactics to ensure the success of the report’s consideration, emphasizing the importance of collective participation in legislative matters.

The committee on Military and Paramilitary Pension was integrated into the core committees of Defence, with associated jurisdiction. Notably, the Military Pensions Board, previously a standalone committee, was moved to the Defence committee for more comprehensive oversight, alongside the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Defence Research and Intelligence Bureau.

Under the new standing rule, the House can now convene emergency sessions through virtual means in special situations like the threat of war, health risks, environmental catastrophes, or damage to public property. During the session, the lawmakers addressed concerns raised by members striving to protect their committees’ jurisdictions, slowing down progress on the report.

The consideration of the report included amendments to some clauses to ensure effective oversight by committees. Issues such as the oversighting committee on UNESCO and NISRAL, as well as the ‘Lead’ and ‘Co-chair’ nomenclature, were resolved by the chair and the initial recommendations of the Ad-hoc committee.

In a four-hour ‘Committee of the Whole Session,’ lawmakers also passed clauses from three other Bills. These included a Bill to repeal the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, Cap.7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and enact the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission Bill, 2023. Additionally, a Bill to amend the Public Procurement Act No.14, 2007, promoting local content in procurement solicitation, and a Bill to amend the Armed Forces Act, fostering collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security agencies for national security, were considered and passed.