Key Takeaways
- The House Committee on Public Petitions has recorded 890 petitions from Nigerians since the 10th National Assembly began.
- 200 petitions have been successfully resolved, with 70 reports considered by the House.
- Officials express concerns over some agencies' consistent non-compliance with committee invitations.
- A retreat was held to enhance the committee's petition management processes.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has reported an overwhelming influx of 890 petitions from Nigerian citizens since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly. Out of these, approximately 200 cases have been successfully concluded, indicating an active engagement by the public in governance and accountability.
The committee's chairman, Bitrus Kwamoti Laori, disclosed this information during a Thursday retreat organized in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the European Union. Laori emphasized the committee's critical role as a legislative platform aimed at addressing the grievances of citizens and nurturing accountability within public institutions.
According to Laori, “So far, this committee has received 890 petitions from different segments of the citizenry across the country, and we have successfully concluded 200 petitions. We have presented reports, out of which the House has considered 70, while the others are still awaiting consideration.” He noted that the increasing complexity and quantity of petitions demonstrate the trust the public places in the committee, with even domestic conflicts being brought forth due to its reputation for fairness and transparency.
Despite the positive outcomes, Laori voiced his concerns regarding the reluctance of certain ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to respond to invitations from the committee. He expressed that, “Some MDAs will not honor our invitations until they are threatened with arrest. This delay matters could have been resolved expeditiously.” This situation has hindered the swift resolution of many petitions, potentially undermining public trust.
The retreat aimed at reviewing the committee's performance, enhancing petition-handling procedures, and improving documentation practices. Laori mentioned the need for the application of digital tools to streamline petition management and documentation processes ahead of the Assembly's conclusion.
Earlier, Dr. Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC, praised the committee for providing ordinary Nigerians with an accessible avenue to seek justice without incurring legal fees. Nwankwo urged the committee to maximize its remaining time in the assembly to document and report its achievements comprehensively.
Contributing to the dialogue, Bashir Abubakar, Chief Commissioner and National Ombudsman of the Public Complaints Commission, advocated for enhanced collaboration between the commission and the House Committee on Public Petitions. He stressed that strengthened partnerships would enhance citizens’ access to justice, bolster accountability, and ultimately reinforce public confidence in democratic governance.
Why This Matters
This situation highlights not only the active participation of Nigerians in governance but also the urgent need for better cooperation between government entities to ensure justice and transparency in handling public petitions.