Speaker Yakubu Dogara has assured Nigerians that the eighth House of Representatives is committed towards coming up with a budget that will pull the country out of economic recession in 2017.
He is also confident the House will implement reforms to the budgeting process.
National Assembly Correspondent, Joke Adisa, reports these are some of the highlights of the Speaker’s remarks in his welcome speech as the House begins legislative business in the new year.
After weeks of recess, the eighth House of Representatives is back for the 2017 legislative activities.
In line with his tradition, the Speaker has warm wishes for his colleagues in the new year as he welcomes them back recess after a challenging 2016.
Conscious of the controversy generated by last year’s Appropriation Bill, the Speaker says the consideration and passage of the 2017 budget will be more transparent and all inclusive.
Dogara touches on other challenges plaguing the country and recalls the tortuous road the country took in the past year.
He says glaring insecurity in parts of the country including Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara and Benue states call for concerted efforts to get Nigeria out of crises that have led to wanton destruction of lives and properties.
The Speaker declares that the the Legislature will support ECOWAS in ensuring no African leader engages in conduct prejudicial to the growth of Africa’s democracy
He also expresses concern over the recent spate of impeachments in the some State Houses of Assembly.
