House of Reps speaker sets up committee to review House Standing Orders

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday inaugurated a 15-member ad hoc committee on Rules and Business to review the standing orders of the house.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Yusuf Lasun, Dogara, the speaker said that the assembly was committing itself to the review of its standing orders in order to achieve greater efficiency in law making.

He urged the committee to freely dissect the standing orders and propose amendments to rules that would strengthen the operations of the assembly.

“There is no aspect of the standing order that is off limits.

“You should feel free to dissect the standing orders and propose amendments to any rule you think is required to strengthen the operations of the House,’’ Dogara said.

The speaker further urged the ad hoc committee to cast a wide net in its bid to provide a holistic review of the standing orders.

Dogara also urged the committee to ensure jurisdiction of committees did not overlap and to carry out all the functions of the standing committee on Rules and Business of the house pending its constitution.

He also urged the committee to ensure that the draft was ready within three weeks for consideration and adoption to aid legislative proceedings.

The Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Rep. Emmanuel Orker-Jev (Benue-APC), expressed the readiness of the committee to carry out the assignment.

“I want to assure you that members of this committee are full of enthusiasm and ready to do their work within the terms of reference,’’ Orker-Jev said.

Members of the committee are Rep. Abayomi Koko, Rep. Sopuluchukwu Ezeonwuka, Rep. Ajayi Adeyinka, Rep. Aminu Shehu Shagari, Rep. Beni Lar, Rep. Abubakar Garba and Rep. Ewa Bassey.

Others are Rep. Sunday Adepoju, Rep. Austine Chukwukere, Rep. Peter Akpatason, Rep. Simon Arabo, Rep. Shiddi Danjuma, Rep. Razaq Atunwa and Kabiru Shaibu.