The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has announced plans to amend the House’s Standing Orders to accommodate electronic submission of petitions. This development comes as part of a broader initiative to modernize legislative processes and enhance citizen engagement.
Tajudeen made this disclosure on Monday during the commissioning of the newly digitized hearing room of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the unveiling of PAC News.
Tajudeen stated, “By investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating our technological capabilities, we aim to set a benchmark in legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people.”
Currently, public petitions are presented manually through members of the House. The proposed amendment aims to streamline this process, making it more accessible to citizens.
The Public Accounts Committee, established by the 1999 Constitution, is tasked with examining federal government accounts and the Auditor General’s report on public expenditure. The newly digitized hearing room is expected to significantly enhance the committee’s capabilities.
“The digitalized hearing room is now equipped with advanced technologies and resources, including comprehensive legal references such as the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (1960-2024), Financial Regulations (2009), and the Procurement Act, among other relevant laws,” Tajudeen noted.
The Explainer gathered that the room’s features include a large smart screen, multimedia capabilities, laptop computers, and other modern gadgets, all aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of the committee’s work.
Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, expressed his commitment to leveraging technology in the discharge of the committee’s responsibilities.
“We will continue to utilize technology to improve the work of the committee,” he said.
