The House of Representatives has said out of 240 petitions submitted to it by the public, only 40 have been resolved in the last year.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday at the presentation of the one-year scorecard of the 10th House of Representatives.
He said that public petitions remained a powerful mechanism for the House to address grievances from the public.
According to him, in the year under review, out of the 240 public petitions currently under investigation, a total of 40 cases have been closed.
He added that, in contrast, 10 cases had been laid before the House for further consideration, adding that by doing so, the House had shown that it was sensitive and responsive to the people’s yearnings.
He said that the House had also played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts and ensuring the smooth resolution of crises.
He listed such mediation to include the intervention with the Nigerian Labour Congress where the timely dialogue led to the successful call-off of a nationwide strike.
He said that the Houses’ involvement swiftly resolved the Nigeria Union of Teachers grievances, ensuring minimal disruption to the educational sector and the intervention in the Nigerian Medical Association crisis facilitated the resolution of key issues.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said, “An open legislature is not just about engagement but about data-driven decision-making. We, as your representatives, have a responsibility to understand the nation’s most immediate needs and address them accordingly. This requires a meticulous approach, utilising data and prioritising models that reflect the pulse of our nation.’’
He added that openness and data-driven decision-making would ensure that legislative actions were tailored to the evolving needs of the people.
He commended the various committees and their respective leadership for their tireless efforts that contributed to the general success of the House.
(NAN)