The Current National Assembly Will Be More Engaging – Tajudeen Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has come out to disclose that the annual budget of the National Assembly has been stagnant for 13 years despite inflation and attendant consequences.

He recently revealed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the African Business Roundtable in Abuja, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the 10th House has recently created over 60 parliamentary friendship committees to enhance the relationship between the House and other parliaments across the world, so he hopes such good developments continue.

Abbas added that he can assure Nigerians that the current administration will engage more with the citizens.

His words, “Our budget has been stagnant for 13 years, but our expenditure has gone up within the period. In fact, at some points, the National Assembly budget came down from what it used to be in 2011.”

“I am pleased to inform you that the House has thought about what you’re talking about several months ago. On July 27, we announced membership of 43 parliamentary friendship committees to find ways of improving our relations in terms of business and other aspects with them.”

“Two weeks ago, we increased it from 43 to 65. Just yesterday, we also included Serbia, making it 66.”

“We are with you on this issue (engagements with other parliaments). This is noble. Even before you came, we thought about that.”

“I want to assure you that we’ll engage more with you. This meeting will be a historic one which will be a point of reference in the future. We will pursue it with all the energy we have.”

“The President has been playing some roles behind the scenes on this. The parliament needs to be seen to work with him on this. Our Parliament should engage the French Parliament and the European Union.”