Reps Says Anti Graft Agencies Not Given Enough Power

– The House of Representatives said that Anti corruption laws in the country has not given the agency enough power

– We have a clear mandate: to make better the lives of our citizens and bring home the long-promised benefits of democracy

– We are called to give voice to the yearnings of our people, and we will, through effective execution of our constitutional responsibilities of law-making

 

The House of Representatives has said that the existing anti-corruption laws in the country has not given the anti-graft agencies enough power to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamilla in a statement lamented that twenty years into the present democratic endeavours, the promise and benefits of democracy are yet to be fully felt in the lives of many of our citizens.

The House legislative agenda says that the nation’s anti corruption laws are not strong enough and has not helped in the fight against corruption.

The Speaker said “In this 9th House of Representatives, the “Peoples’ Assembly”, we have a clear mandate: to make better the lives of our citizens and bring home the long-promised benefits of democracy.

“We are called to give voice to the yearnings of our people, and we will, through effective execution of our constitutional responsibilities of law-making, representation and oversight. We will open them legislative process to effective citizen participation and involvement so that our people, on whose behalf we serve may become our real partners in democracy and in progress.

“More than law-making and oversight, our highest obligation in this House of Representatives is to restore public trust in the political process, and in government.

” Corruption in public service has caused many Nigerians to lose faith in the ability of government to deliver real development, protect those who need protection and build the ladder of opportunity for those who wish to climb it.

“Restoring faith in government requires that we begin to deliver on the promises we have made and that in doing so, we conduct ourselves with dignity and probity so that in our words and deeds, we are never found wanting.

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“This will begin performing the activities of the House of Representatives, opening our internal debates to public scrutiny, taking individual ownership of the votes we take in the House and ensuring transparency and accountability.

“In undertaking this journey of reform, we are united in spirit and purpose as one people irrespective of fault lines and political leanings. Hence, we have tagged our mission of Nation Building, a joint task.

“As we launch this Legislative Agenda for the 9th House of Representatives, we do so fully expecting that at the end of our term in office, the Nigerian people will look to this document, and we will be judged by how well we have done in keeping the promises we have freely made.

“Our goals are clear, and our determination is not in question. Let us go forth and make ourselves deserving of the awesome mandate that has been entrusted to us by God and by the Nigerian people.”