My Leadership Is Transparent, Says Tambuwal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, July 01, (THEWILL) - Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Tuesday, said the 7th House of Representatives was not operating in secrecy as all its activities were available for the public to access.
The speaker stated this in his remarks at the inauguration of the newly-elected officials of the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja.
Tambuwal explained that his leadership has tried to be as transparent as possible, adding that other committees of the House were also open in all their actions.
He however bemoaned the constant bashing of the House by the public, noting that most of the critics do not take into account the various problems faced by the lawmakers.
“We're not running a secret cult in the House; we're very transparent. Approach us for any information and we shall make it available. The legislature is receiving a lot of bashing from the public, but we have our limitations.
“I urge the public to appreciate our constraints. Some believe that we're just an appendage of the executive, but that is not the case. Without the legislature, you can't have a democratic government,” he said.
Tambuwal praised journalists covering the House for their professionalism and support for his leadership and his colleagues but tasked them to be more professional in their job so as to have a better Nigeria.
“If all journalists will imbibe factual and objective reportage like you do here, we'll have a better Nigeria. I assure you that the House will continue to support you as professionals,” he said.
Also on Tuesday, the House also endorsed the harmonised report on a Bill for an Act to repeal the Prisons Act, 2004.
The amendment to the Prisons Act, Cap P29 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, when signed into law, will among others, make comprehensive provisions for the administration of prisons in Nigeria.
The adoption followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Umar Bature (PDP, Sokoto) entitled: Receipt and Adoption of Conference Report on a Bill for an Act, Cap P29 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and to make Comprehensive Provisions for the Administration of Prisons in Nigeria.
In his lead debate on the bill, Bature explained that In view of the importance of the bill to the administration of the criminal justice, development and efficient management of the Prisons Service in Nigeria, the Prisons Bill, 2011 was passed by the House on Thursday, 27 June, 2013.
He said the “the Prisons Bill was passed by the Senate with some differences and the two chambers met on Tuesday, 15 October, 2013 and endorsed the version.'
SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA