The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved not to hold plenary for one week in solidarity with local contractors protesting the non payment of the entitlement for work done since 2024.
The House had resumed to a rowdy session as members argued over which committee should take charge of a proposed investigation of the alleged illegal sale of land at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
This House asked the government to immediately pay local contractors about N3trn owed them for completed work since 2024 while also implementing the capital component of the 2025 budget with immediate effect.
The House resolved to adjourn plenary for one week to give the executive time to implement the resolution while asking the leadership to communicate the resolution to the Executive and ensure implementation.
Before the adjournment, a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Aliyu Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) had requested the House mandate his committee to carry out the investigation elicited heated argument from members regarding which committee has the mandate to carry out the assignment.
But the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive drew the attention of the House to the fact that the House rules places oversight of the trade fair complex on Committee on Commerce.
His motion to amend the prayer was defeated through a voice vote but other members of the House insisted the Committee on Commerce be allowed to carry out the assignment.
Shout of point of order, point of order rented the air across the floor of the House as members held on their guns.
Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) said the motion was more concerned about the landed property inside the complex and not the administrative or commercial activities taking place at the complex, stating the motion should be referred the Committee on Asset.
An attempt to have the two committees jointly undertake the assignment was rejected by members as they voted to reject the entire motion.
Thereafter, the House became unruly with members refusing to listen to themselves, ignoring the call for order by the Chief Whip.
A group of lawmakers thereafter decided to frustrate the business of the day chorusing nay to every question for urgent motion with the Deputy Speaker and the leadership unable to control them, forcing a call for an executive session.
After the executive session the House adopted a motion by the Minority Leader on the plight of local contractors who had locked up the National Assembly gates in protest while vowing to remain there for one week.
In apparent solidarity with the local contractors, the House adjourned plenary for one to allow the Federal Government implement the House resolution for the immediate payment of the contractors.
