BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, says now is the time for Nigerians to put aside all other considerations, especially the petty concerns of partisanship and politics, to move the country forward.
He also said that if ever there was a time to set aside our differences of tribe and religion to focus on a concerted effort to defeat the challenges of insurgency and banditry, communal violence, and the violent struggle over land, that time is now.
This is as Gbajabiamila assured that the Green Chamber would focus its attention on bills and motions that would improve the ease of doing business and unlock economic potential.
The Speaker, who stated these in an address to welcome his colleagues from the Christmas and New Year break during the resumption of plenary on Wednesday, said the House would make frantic efforts to surpass its 2020 achievements.
According to him, though the Legislature does not have the control of the various security agencies, it would however ensure the use of its appropriation powers to hold those responsible accountable as well as continue to collaborate with the Executive arm to improve the security situation in the country.
He said; “In the 2021 legislative year, we will focus the attention of the House of Representatives on bills and motions that improve ease of doing business and unlock economic potential by stripping away restrictive regulation and ending predatory regulatory practices that deprive our young people the opportunity to conquer new frontiers.
“In this age of technology and innovation, of daring and enterprise, we cannot risk implementing policies that handicap our ability as a nation to participate in new markets and profit from emerging industries,” he said.
Gbajabiamila further said that “the true test of government is in our ability to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. We cannot separate the goal of economic prosperity from the ambition to ensure that all our people live in a just society free from abuse of power and protected by a justice system built on fairness and the rule of law.
“Therefore, we will shortly begin considering Bills to amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. We will follow up with a long-overdue review of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Act and other legislation that seek to deliver a justice system that works for all.”
He said the constitution vests the responsibility of security and welfare of the people on all those that have sworn to serve in government, saying; “Every time a citizen going about their business is killed or kidnapped, loses their property or livelihood, we have failed in our obligation.
“From the abundance of these failures has emerged a culture of self-help in matters of internal security that portends grave danger for our nation’s continued existence.”
Gbajabiamila therefore called on Nigerians from all walks of life to put all the differences that exist among them aside and unite to face the challenges that confront the country.
In his words; “The forces that threaten our lives and property, our sovereignty and nationhood, do not make any exceptions based on the God we pray to or the language of our native tongue”.
