Nigeria’s National Assembly has postponed its resumption to September 29 after embarking on an eight-week recess that is to elapse on September 15.
Ojo Olatunde Amos, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, announced this on Saturday.
He said, “This is to inform all distinguished senators and honourable members of the National Assembly that the resumption of plenary sessions, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 15th September 2020, is hereby rescheduled for Tuesday 29th September 2020.
“We regret any inconveniences caused by this change of date.”
The recess by the lawmakers had generated an uproar, with rights activists frowning at the timing of the recess.
The Convener, Free Nigerian Movement, Raphael Adebayo, told Sahara Reporters that the lawmakers were entitled to go on recess as enshrined in their standing rules but described it as untimely.
He said the lawmakers ought to have considered some significant bills that required attention before embarking on the vacation.
Also, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said members of the National Assembly must develop a framework for constituency engagement and consultation to ensure full participation of the electorate in legislative activities.
Rafsanjani said the delay in the passage of PIB would expose the nation’s oil and gas sector to recurring lapses and monumental loss of revenue.
