by Ranti Joseph

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in Abuja on Tuesday promised that the House would ensure the speedy passage to the 2015 Appropriation Bill. He made the statement in his remarks at the resumed sitting of the House after one month recess. “Let me remind us that the first crucial task before us is the 2015 Budget proposal which is at committee stage. I urge that the belated submission notwithstanding, we owe our country a duty not only to pass this Appropriation Bill speedily but also with due diligence and thorough scrutiny,’’ he said.

Tambuwal said another bill that requires utmost urgency is the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which has already been passed by the two chambers. “The House of Representatives has already constituted her harmonisation committee and I hope the Senate will do so expeditiously so that we can wrap up soonest. This is critical as amendments contained therein provide the clear legal framework for participation in the electoral process by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) whose numbers are no doubt substantial,’’ he added.

Tambuwal noted that the recent postponement of the general elections had inflicted an indelible dent on the integrity of the elections and the entire electoral process commending the political parties, civil society organisations, the international community and Nigerians for the maturity displayed in handling the development. He also commended the armed forces and security agencies for laying down their lives daily in the prosecution of the military action against the insurgency in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Janeth J