Speaker Abbas names chairmen of 134 standing committees — Faleke, Bichi makes list

Speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has announced the name of lawmakers who will chair 134 standing committees in the green chamber.

Abbas unveiled the names of the committees’ chairpersons and their deputies on the floor of the house on Thursday.

The composition of the panels is in line with house standing rules which provide for the establishment of standing committees to carry out the oversight function on government agencies and programmes and address specific issues of national importance.

Some of the lawmakers who made the list as chairpersons of committees are James Faleke (finance); Muktar Betara (FCT); Akin Alabi (works); Bamidele Salami (public accounts); Idris Wase (federal character); Leke Abejide (customs); Jimi Benson (defence); Ahmed Satomi (national security) and Yusuf Gagdi (navy).

Others are Alhassan Doguwa (petroleum resources upstream); Ikenga Ugochinyere (petroleum resources downstream); Sada Soli (water resources), and Wole Oke (judiciary).

Abbas said the selection team relied on capacity, and competency in assigning members to the committees.

The speaker said all members of committees have equal status and must be carried along, adding that the principle of teamwork should guide the chairpersons.

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He asked the leaders to “draw up their work plans” and submit them to the house.

Abbas said while the parliament will work with the executive for the interest of Nigerians, it will not fail to “bring the full powers of the legislature on the “recalcitrant” ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs)