Wale Jagun
The representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, has been listed among top Federal lawmakers that have initiated more bills in the 9th National Assembly since its inauguration in 2019.
According to the New Telegraph, One hundred and ninety members of the House of Representatives have sponsored a total of 1,097 out of the 1,546 bills initiated by the 9th National Assembly since inauguration 18 months ago.
The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Defense, initiated 10 bills within the period under consideration along with former Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi) and Hon. Jimoh Abdulraheem Olajide (APC, Lagos).
The news report also has it that, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna) has so far sponsored the highest number of bills totalling 61, followed by Hon. Ali Abdul Ibrahim (APC, Kogi) with 45 bills while the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) came third with 42 bills.
New Telegraph also reported that 170 lawmakers in the lower chamber are yet to initiate a single bill after one and a half years into their four-year tenure.
Meanwhile, the Senate has introduced 448 bills and the executive proposed 11 bills in the current dispensation.
The 10 Bills sponsored by Hon Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) in the ongoing 9th Assembly are:
(i) The Good Samaritan Bill that seeks to provide legal protection for First responders who render help to victims of accidents or in emergency situations (the bill was passed in the 8th Assembly but was not accented to by Mr President);
(ii) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB.741) which seeks to address the need for defined periodic population census in Nigeria;
(iii) A bill seeking to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to authorize host communities where electricity is generated to be entitled to a percentage of profits from Generating companies;
(iv) A bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2020. (HB 742);
(v) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB.740) which seeks to alter the minimum educational qualification for aspirants into political office;
(vi) National Icons, Symbols Legacy Agency Bill, 2020, to allow for more coordinated and robust management of our national symbols.
(vii) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020, seeking to provide that State and Federal Governments shall have Concurrent Legislative Authority with respect to power and electricity within their States.
(viii) A bill seeking for the removal of the Land Use Act from the constitution in order to make it flexible and similar to other Acts of the National Assembly.
(ix) A bill seeking that the Federal Government and the State Governments to have Concurrent Legislative Authority with respect to Railway, and matters related thereto.
The federal lawmaker has also facilitated many federal projects within the period under consideration to his constituency among which are blocks of classrooms, primary health centres, roads and a mini – stadium.
