The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced plans to amend the Green Chamber’s rules to allow Nigerians to submit petitions electronically. This move aims to remove obstacles and streamline the legislative dispute resolution process.
Speaker Abbas made this announcement during the commissioning of the digitalized Hearing Room of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the unveiling of the PAC News magazine. He emphasized the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the House’s operations as outlined in its Legislative Agenda.
“Incorporating ICT into the work of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) is essential for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in overseeing public funds,” Abbas said. He commended the innovations led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, which he believes will significantly improve the committee’s activities.
The Speaker revealed that the innovation seen in PAC would be replicated in the House Committee on Public Petitions. An amendment to the House Standing Orders will be initiated to accommodate e-petitions, facilitating the use of ICT in receiving and processing public petitions. This step aims to create more efficient, transparent, and accessible petition procedures, allowing citizens to engage more effectively with the legislative process.
The newly digitalized hearing room is equipped with advanced technologies and resources, including comprehensive legal references, a large smart screen multimedia, and other technical devices to facilitate e-hearings. This setup is designed to increase efficiency and ensure the speedy consideration of cases.
Abbas also praised the leadership of the Committee for launching the PAC News magazine, which aims to disseminate accurate information about the committee’s activities. “The PAC News Magazine will foster a sustained relationship with the media, civil society, and stakeholders, ensuring that the work of the House and PAC is accessible and understandable to a broader audience,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, highlighted the significance of the digitalized hearing room and the quarterly PAC News magazine as part of the 10th House of Representatives’ vision of an open parliament through transparency, digitalization, and citizen engagement. “This digitalized hearing room represents a major milestone in our committee’s history, allowing us to discharge our constitutional mandate with greater efficiency and effectiveness,” Salam noted.
The digital platform will enable PAC to conduct virtual hearings and meetings, reducing the need for physical presence and increasing reach and accessibility. It will also allow for the electronic submission and review of documents by government ministries, agencies, and departments, streamline the review process, reduce paperwork, and aid in real-time engagements with stakeholders and the public, thereby increasing transparency and public participation.
The event also featured goodwill messages from notable figures including the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein; the Auditor General for the Federation, Mr. Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira; the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida; and the representative of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Miss Amah Iember.