The Nigerian Senate in a move aimed at bolstering its oversight and enforcement capabilities has formally established the Standing Committee on Legislative Compliance. This committee’s primary objective is to ensure the adherence to Senate resolutions, encompassing all standing committees and federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The committee, led by Senator Musa Maidoki of Kebbi South, was officially inaugurated by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum in the ninth National Assembly.
During the inaugural meeting of the committee, Senator Bamidele emphasized the critical role of the committee, which includes overseeing other standing committees and ensuring compliance with Senate resolutions by MDAs.
He stressed that the committee’s mandate is substantial and of national importance, highlighting the urgent need to ensure strict compliance with Senate resolutions across the board. Senator Bamidele described the Committee on Legislative Compliance as the “police of the Senate” and emphasized the responsibility of the committee to follow up and ensure compliance with all Senate resolutions.
Senator Bamidele urged the committee to establish a comprehensive agenda to effectively carry out its duties, underlining that the committee’s size and strength would be determined by its chairman, Senator Musa Maidoki.
The Senate Leader emphasized that the challenge facing the country is not just in making legislations but in ensuring the full compliance with laws enacted by the National Assembly.
Furthermore, Senator Bamidele stated that the Committee on Legislative Compliance has the authority to invite any senator who fails to adhere to Senate rules, emphasizing that the committee is not intended to befriend or antagonize anyone but to ensure the adherence to Senate resolutions.
In response, Senator Maidoki, the committee’s chairman, assured the Senate’s leadership that the committee would diligently carry out its mandate as directed by the upper chamber. This development signifies a significant step in enhancing the oversight and enforcement capabilities of the Senate to ensure compliance with its resolutions.
