Rep renews debate on scrapping of Senate

The member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr Denis Idahosa (APC-Edo) on Sunday called for the scrapping of the senate and introduction of unicameral legislature to reduce cost.

Idahosa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the senate, one of the two houses of the National Assembly should give way if the country is serious in cutting cost of governance.

He said, ‘’I strongly believe that the Senate should be scrapped.

‘’Not because I’m a House of Representatives member, but because most of the legislative jobs are done by the lower house, which is the House of Representatives.

“And then to reduce the spending. We have limited resources now as a nation. So having these two houses, I don’t think it’s a smart thing.

“If we are going to cut our expenses or spending, I think one of the houses should be scrapped, which I suggest should be senate.

“This is because we only sit three times in a week. We are being paid salaries to work for Nigerians; we can extend the three days to five days, while we have one house taking care of both jobs.

“So I think to reduce the unnecessary spending that we are actually involved in, the best thing to do is to reduce it to one for more accountability.”

On the performance of the 9th Assembly, the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Compliance said that the assembly had done remarkably well.

“I’m pleased with what I have experienced so far, though this is my first term in the house,’’ he said.

He noted that the first major milestone achieved by the 9th Assembly was the passing into law of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“That was a significant one because the oil and gas industry was becoming a mess, and that is our major source of revenue as a country.

“The PIB, I believe will be able to address some of the loopholes ravaging our source of revenue as a country,” he said.

The said the second significant milestone achievement by the assembly was the Electoral Act amendment.

Idahosa expressed hope that it would address the irregularities in the electoral process of the country.

“We have done other bills that are also significant in this country and I give kudos to the leadership of the house for providing leadership that counts,” he added.