President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday appealed to Members of the National Assembly to allow heads of ministries, departments, and agencies before parliamentary committees to get the job done instead of distracting them with frequent summons.
He spoke at the breaking of Ramadan fast on Wednesday in Abuja with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the Green Chamber.
Maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, oversight is essential, according to the President.
However, he bemoaned the excessive summoning of officials which, according to him can disrupt operations and thwart service delivery to citizens.
”I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying that you are not influential. We are not saying you cannot do your oversight.
“But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation.
”If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentations,” the President said.
President Tinubu did not fail to appreciate the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, and he expressed confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold good governance.
”We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
”We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through.
”I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria,” the President stated.