COVID-19: House Of Representatives Can Pass Stimulus Bill In One Day – Wole Oke

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Oluwole Oke, has said the lawmakers can pass the Stimulus Bill in one day. 

Mr. Oluwole Oke said this on Monday as he appeared on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, adding that the House can set aside its rules to pass the bill.

According to him, the National Assembly has the powers to regulate its activities and discharge their duties to the nation.

READ ALSO: Reps Seek 2-Month Free Power Supply To Nigerians

“Section 62 of the constitution has given the NASS powers to regulate its activities,” Mr. Oluwole said.

“From experience, and practices and conventions, both senate and the house  have the powers to set amend their rules, in fact to set aside their rules to discharge a duty that they owe the nation.”

According to him, “There are provisions in our rules to set aside our rules in order to take a bill the same day and pass and commit it to the committee of the whole and pass such bill into law the same day.”

On why the House of Representatives is considering the bill, the member representing Obokun/Oriade of Osun State, said Nigerians need basic amenities to survive as the lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak continues.

The lawmaker said: “The second bill we are looking at has to do with power and electric bills and water bills as well.

“You if you are asking Nigerians to stay at home, they are not working, you can’t put them in darkness; they also need water to survive. That informed the decision of the parliament to also sponsor and pass the second Stimulus Bill.”

Furthermore, he said the House has passed the first Stimulus Bill but waiting for the concurrence of the Senate and President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent.

“We are in a dynamic society and the House, proactively under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, passed the first stimulus bill,” he noted.

“We are waiting concurrence of the Senate vis-à-vis the assent of Mr President as required by constitution.”

He explained that the first Stimulus Bill had the input of experts, assuring that the House of Representatives will do the needful even, as the lockdown continues, to pass the bill.

Bill Considering Free Electricity 

Over the weekend, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, had hinted that the lawmakers will consider a fresh Stimulus Bill that will ensure that Nigerians get free electricity supply for two months to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Speaker said the proposed bill is to help in boosting the economy through the informal sector as the country prepares for the aftermath of the coronavirus.

The proposed bill, which will be the second Stimulus Bill by the Green Chamber, is to be considered immediately the House reconvenes from its ongoing break, declared due to the pandemic.