Dogara Sets Up Ad-Hoc Committee To Shore Up House Image

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has constituted an Adhoc committee on Media to shore up the image of the House among Nigerians

Dogara was represented by the Deputy Speaker Suleiman Lasun at the swearing in of the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

He noted that the activities and the work of the National Assembly are often vague to citizens and sometimes completely misunderstood. When there is inadequate knowledge of parliamentary work, it often leads to cynicism, doubt, mistrust and general apathy.

His words:

“Honourable colleagues, by its very nature, legislative activities, whether in Plenary or in Committee, should be accessible to the general public. In a constitutional democracy, parliamentary activities are subject to the citizens’ scrutiny and assessment. It is all the more necessary to adequately inform the public since parliament holds a central position in the functioning of a participatory government of the people.

“In Nigeria today, the activities and the work of the National Assembly are often vague to citizens and sometimes completely misunderstood. When there is inadequate knowledge of parliamentary work, it often leads to cynicism, doubt, mistrust and general apathy which is not healthy in a democracy.

“Furthermore, it leads to grave distortion of facts and sometimes outright falsehoods”.

He tasked the committee that pending the constitution of the Standing Committee, “your Committee has a duty to correct these misconceptions, improve the corporate image of the institution of the House and position it as a transparent and accountable institution worthy of its representative character.

“It is your responsibility to enhance the public awareness and understanding of Parliament, disseminate accurate information and educate the public on the operations and functions of the House”.

In a related development Dogara also inaugurated a Committee put together to fashion out a Code of Conduct document that members would subject themselves to in the 8th House of Representatives.

The terms of Reference for the Committee according to the Speaker included formulation of a Code Conduct of Members to guide the House.

“Incorporation by Reference of the Code of Conduct document as part of the Rules of the House.

“Carrying out all the functions of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Privileges pending the constitution of the Standing Committee.

“Recommendation of amendments to aspects of the Rules dealing with the conduct of Members to be consistent with the Code of Conduct document.”