Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all ad hoc committees of the House.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sidi Ibrahim, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the Clerk, the decision was taken in accordance with Order 18, Rule 5 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
Ibrahim explained that ad hoc committees were established to carry out specific assignments within a stipulated timeframe and submit their reports, stressing that they were not intended to function as standing committees.
He said only two ad hoc committees had previously sought and obtained a two-week extension to conclude their assignments, but the extension had since elapsed.
“I am directed by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, to inform all members that all ad hoc committees of the House stand dissolved with immediate effect,” the statement said.
The Clerk said the directive followed earlier calls for the committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the rules and established practices of the House.
He also cited Order 18, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of the Standing Orders, which requires committees to submit their reports within the time allotted to them.
Ibrahim said that having exceeded the stipulated timeframe, the continued existence of the affected ad hoc committees was no longer tenable.
He directed that all activities being conducted in the name of the dissolved committees should cease forthwith.
Chairmen of the affected committees were also directed to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials to the Office of the Clerk of the House for safekeeping.
The Clerk urged members to take note of the directive and ensure strict compliance.
