HIGHLIGHTS:

Speaker Dogara: National Assembly has helped to stabilise, Deepen Nigeria's Democracy
Dogara Hails CSOs, NGOs For Contribution To Growth Of Democracy In Nigeria.
Speaker Dogara calls for Private Sector Participation to Tackle Housing Deficit,
Housing Laws to Cover Self -Employed Nigerians
Dogara, Tambuwal, Dangote others to raise funds for orphanages, IDPs through charity
football competition event

Speaker Dogara:
National Assembly Has Helped To
Stabilise, deepen Nigeria's
Democracy
The National Assembly has contributed a lot in sta-
bilising and deepening Nigeria's constitutional de-
mocracy through strengthening of due process and
the rule of law, Speaker of the House of Represent-
atives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said.
Speaking on the topic, Deepening Democracy: Role
of the Legislature, at the third Public Lecture series
of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Hon Doga-
ra said the Nigerian parliament's contribution to
deepening democracy through its various functions
helped to stabilise democracy in the country.
He also argued that democracy cannot thrive with-
out citizens' active participation because it is the
responsibility of the people to protect democracy
and hold leaders accountable.
The Speaker also noted that the 8th House of Rep-
resentatives under his leadership as Speaker, has
made outstanding contributions to deepening de-
mocracy in Nigeria through the faithful implemen-
tation of its Legislative Agenda, which serves as a
compass of its legislative activities for four years
(2015 2019) to deepen democracy in Nigeria.
This, he stated, was achieved by providing leader-
ship in the areas of accountable and transparent
government, citizens engagement, constituency
representation, collaboration with its counterpart
in the Senate and other arms of government to
legislate for the common good of the Nigerian
people, legislation to create reforms in Nigerias
national economy and development, tackle pov-
erty, unemployment, confront the scourge of cor-
ruption, terrorism and security challenges in the
country, environment and reduction in the cost of
running government, reduce wastage and tackle
National Revenue leakages.
Other areas include rescuing Nigeria from the
clutches of hunger, poverty, disease, social, eco-
nomic, political and infrastructural quagmire and
ensuring transparency and accountability, not just
by the House of Representatives, but also by gov-
ernment at all levels.
Hon Dogara stressed that it was in view of the fact
that a weak legislature is antithetical to good gov-
ernance and consolidation of the country's hard
won democracy, that the National Assembly,
through various legislative measures, intervened
to specifically strengthen the Legislative institu-
tion in order to position it to play its prominent
role in our constitutional democracy.

How NASS Exposes Over N3trn
Fraud Dogara
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.
Yakubu Dogara has given vivid account of how Na-
tional Assembly exposed revenue leakages worth
over N3 trillion over the past few years.
Dogara disclosed this while speaking on Deepening
democracy: Role of the Legislature, at the third Pub-
lic Lecture series organised by Nasarawa State Uni-
versity, Keffi, Nasarawa state.
The Speaker who underscored the role of the Legis-
lature as aptly stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as
amended) noted that the House of Representatives
investigation uncovered various sharp or fraudulent
practices by several mdas which included under dec-
laration, non-remittance and diversion of revenues
generated by them worth over 2 trillion naira.
He added that the National Assemblys oversight
work also exposed pension fraud worth billions of
naira, about N195 billion.
According to him, in 2017, the House Committees
during the oversight of MDGS projects, ensured that
about N38.5 billion was returned to the coffers of the
Federal Government which was traced to inefficiencies
and inability of MDAS to spend on MDGS-related pro-
jects.
Similarly, the House Committee on Finance during its
investigation discovered various cash balances in
several accounts of revenue collecting agencies
totalingN563 billion which had to be remitted into the
Federation Account as a result of the legislative inter-
vention.
He also recalled that the House Committee on Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2005,
secured the release of N18 billion due to the Commis-
sion from various oil companies.
The Speaker added that the Lower Chamber has so far
conducted about hundreds of investigative hearings
and presented reports on major economic crimes in
the country over the years.
According to him, some of the investigate public hear-
ing conducted by of 8th House of Representatives con-
ducted include investigations on the award of contract
for the rehabilitation of Nigerian Railways;
Installation of CCTV Cameras in Abuja and Lagos, al-
leged $17 billion stolen from undeclared crude oil and
LNG exports to global destinations; The investigative
hearing on Centenary City Project; Pre- Shipment in-
vestigation, Amnesty programme and several anti-
corruption investigations.

Dogara Hails CSOs, NGOs For
Contribution To Growth Of
Democracy In Nigeria.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu
Dogara, has hailed civil societies and non-governmental
organisations for the important role they play in devel-
opment of democracy and promotion of the well-being
of Nigerian citizens.
While speaking at a public hearing organised by the
House Committee on Civil Society and Developmental
Partners, on two Bills: The bill to amend the Nigerian
Red Cross Act and related matters and the bill for an
Act for the establishment of Non-Governmental Organ-
isations Regulatory Commission, he also urged the
public not to be apprehensive of opinion made in the
House during debates on any Bill, saying they will al-
ways have their day at for a such as the public hearing
to make their imput.
He said that the public hearing was the second avenue
for civil society organisation members to make their
inputs to the proposed legislation which will guide their
operations in Nigeria and urged them to utilise the
platform to present areas of concern for consideration.
The Speaker also disclosed that the legislature is is fully
aware that NGOs and CSOs constitute one of the formi-
dable platforms for public participation in governance.
Speaking on the Bill for an Act to amend the Nigerian
Red Cross Society Act and related matters, he asked
that equal attention be given to the Bill by stakeholders
to enhance the performance of the organisation which
has been in the service of humanity for centuries.
Speaker Dogara Calls For Private
Sector Participation To Tackle
Housing Deficit, Housing Laws To
Cover Self -Employed Nigerians
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yaku-
bu Dogara, has called for increased private sector
participation in order to address the national housing
deficit, while pledging the commitment of the House
towards enacting the required legislation.
Speaking at a public hearing by the House Commit-
tee on Housing on a motion and four bills related to
the National Housing Fund and the Federal Mortgage
Bank of Nigeria, Dogara stated that citizens welfare
should be of utmost importance to any government
and shelter should therefore be considered a fore-
most priority.
He further revealed that the proposed amendments
would make housing laws more encompassing and
introduce the necessary changes, as existing schemes
have not been very successful and have failed to cap-
ture virtually everybody including self-employed per-
sons.
He pledged the commitment of the House to work-
ing with stakeholders towards the provision of safe
and affordable housing.
The motion and bills considered during the public
hearing are; A motion on the need to ensure full
compliance with the National Housing Fund Act for
effective housing delivery in Nigeria (HR.59/2017); A
Bill for an Act to repeal the National Housing Fund
Act Cap. N45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004
and Re-enact a National Housing Fund and for relat-
ed matters (HB.1077); A Bill for an Act to repeal the
National Housing Fund Act Cap. N45, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Establish the Nation-
al Housing Trust Fund Act, and for related matters
(HB.891); A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Mort-
gage Bank of Nigeria Act, Cap. F16 Laws of the Feder-
ation of Nigeria, 2004 to make comprehensive provi-
sions for the re-establishment of the Federal Mort-
gage Bank of Nigeria and its Board of Directors and
for related matters (HB.911); and A Bill for an Act to
establish the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lend-
ers of Nigeria to regulate the activities and ensure
professionalism in the system and for related matters.
Reps Summon Telecoms Firms
Over Non-Payment Of Taxes

The House of Representatives has summoned

chief executive officers of some telecommu-
nications firms who are alleged to have de-
faulted in payment of their taxes.

The House committee investigating the tax

compliance status of the affected firms,
chaired by Hon. Ahmed Abu, gave the sum-
mons after previous invitations to the CEOs
were not honoured.

They chief executive officers were invited by

the House ad-hoc committee to explain is-
sues related to their tax status but failed to
appear.
House Of Reps Gives Intels 24
Hours Ultimatum To Pay Debts To
FG
The House of Representatives ad-hoc Com-
mittee On Treasury Single Account (TSA) has
directed the management of Intels to remit
funds accrued from its pilotage service con-
tract with the federal government within 24
hours.
The committee chairman, Hon. Abubakar
Danburam, speaking at a public hearing on
the matter at the National Assembly, also
asked the company to furnish it with full de-
tails of how much it owes the government.
He added that failure of Intels to comply with
its directive will leave it with no other choice
but to enforce the committees powers to
compel it to do so.
TSA: Reps Query Kyari Over Alleged
Presidential NNPC N50bn Waiver
The House of Representatives has queried al-
leged authorisation granted by President Mu-
hammad Buhari, through the Chief Staff to the
President, Mr. Abba Kyari, authorising the NNPC
to excluding some Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) accounts from being trans-
ferred to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) .
The committee queried why the accounts, with
funds worth N50bn, are still being kept by com-
mercial banks in breach of the TSA policy, which
provides that all accounts belonging to Minis-
tries, Departments and Agencies of government
should be transferred to the TSA.
The Central Bank of Nigeria admitted to the Hon
Abubakar Danburam-led House ad-hoc Commit-
tee investigating the federal government's TSA,
that it was aware of the excluded accounts, say-
ing it was backed by a presidential approval.
He tendered a memo written by the Chief Staff to
the President, Mr. Abba Kyari, authorising the
NNPC to exclude the accounts from TSA.

Speaker Dogara Congratulates
New Emir of Katagum
...Calls on new monarch to build on legacies of his
father
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has congratulated
Alhaji Baba Umar Farouk on his ascension to
the throne of his forefathers as the 12th Emir of
Katagum.
The Speaker described the new Emir as an ac-
complished technocrat and seasoned adminis-
trator, who has what it takes to provide good
leadership, as well as preserve and uphold the
sanctity of the highly revered throne and the
traditional institution in general.
"With your wealth of experience as a retired
federal permanent secretary and a district head,
I am confident that you will live up to expecta-
tions and build on the legacies of your father,
anchored on humility, modesty and sacrifice for
the well being of his subjects."
While calling on the Emir to see his position as
a rare opportunity to serve the people and the
nation, Dogara prayed God to guide the royal
father and bless his reign with peace, stability
and prosperity.
Dogara, Tambuwal, Dangote
Others To Raise Funds For
Orphanages, IDPs Through
Charity Football Competition
Event
As part of activities slated to mark the 50th
birthday of the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, his friends in
the Legislature and the private sector will meet
in a charity football match competition being
organised in his honour.
A statement signed by the chairman of the or-
ganising committee, Sen. Philip Aduda, for
Friends of Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, gave the full
match fixtures as follows:
*National Assembly versus Private Sector
*Senate versus House of Representatives.
*Serving versus Former principal officers.
He added that proceeds from the event will be
used to cater for the needy, less privileged, or-
phanages and internally displaced persons.
The private sector led by Alhaji Aliko Dan-
gote, President of Dangote Group are expected
to participate in the Chairity match in order to
raise funds to support the less privileged and
orphanages.
Speaker Dogara Joins Vice President Osinbajo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye
And Other Dignitaries At The 2017 Christmas Praise Concert.