A look at resolutions in the first 10 months of the 10th House of Representatives shows that NEMA and FERMA received 187 mandates from lawmakers
In the first ten months of legislative activity (June 2023 – March 2024), the 10th House of Representatives tabled over 605 motions aimed at tackling some of the pressing issues confronting Nigerians across the country.
A breakdown of these motions shows a heavy focus on insecurity, disaster management, infrastructure, and environmental degradation. Notably, 64 motions were moved to address the surge in killings, kidnappings, banditry, communal clashes, and other insecurity issues. Despite early efforts by lawmakers to confront insecurity, the scourge has persisted across several constituencies, leaving many dead, kidnapped, or displaced.
A recent example is the April 13, 2025 attack on the Zike Kimakpa community in Bassa local government area, Plateau state, where at least 49 people were killed in a late-night assault, underscoring the persistent threat of insecurity.
Additionally, 52 motions centered on natural disasters such as floods, erosion, and windstorms in the period under review. However, it is expected that these kinds of motions will continue to resurface in the House following recent predictions. The federal government through the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), had revealed that approximately 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to experience significant flooding between April and November this year.
Infrastructure rehabilitation also dominated proceedings, with 84 motions calling for road and bridge repairs. In contrast, fire incidents in markets or residential areas spurred 5 motions, while 6 motions tackled the deepening hardship and cost-of-living crisis.
Virtually every plenary session featured deliberations on one or more of these issues, reflecting the House’ commitment to addressing urgent national concerns.
Legislative Activism for the Camera?
Some of the motions that illustrate these legislative trends include that of Rep. Sada Soli (APC Katsina), who, on March 6, 2024, raised alarm over consistent bandit attacks across 17 Local Government Areas of Katsina State. He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to swiftly provide humanitarian aid to the displaced and affected communities.
Similarly, Rep. Bello El-Rufai (APC Kaduna), on July 6, 2023, sponsored a motion urging the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritize the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna highway project, stressing its importance to national security and economic development. He called for the project to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.
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In another motion dated February 2, 2024, Rep. Yusuf Kure Baraje (APC Niger), highlighted the delays in the dualization of the Suleja-Minna Road project. He urged the Ministry of Works to audit the project’s funding and resolve all implementation bottlenecks. His motion also mandated the House Committee on Works to conduct an oversight visit, interface with the contractor, and ensure timely completion.
On environmental concerns, Rep. Dominic Okafor (APGA Anambra), raised a motion on July 18, 2023, urging the Ecological Fund Office and other relevant agencies to intervene in the gully erosion devastating communities in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. He called for an urgent impact assessment and funding for remediation efforts.
Committees and Referrals for Oversight
As a result of these motions, several government agencies and the House committees oversighting them have found themselves at the center of legislative attention. NEMA, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Environment, the Ecological Fund Office, Ministry of Works, and FERMA emerged as the primary recipients of resolutions from the House.
According to data obtained by Parliament Reports, NEMA alone received a staggering 108 mandates within the first 10 months, underlining the agency’s pivotal role in coordinating disaster response and relief operations. These resolutions often mandated NEMA to intervene in communities suffering from both natural and man-made disasters, including floods, fire outbreaks, banditry, and humanitarian emergencies.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, which has the primary mandate to develop humanitarian policies, coordinate national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation and response, and manage social inclusion and protection programmes across Nigeria, received 51 resolutions from the House in the period under review.
The Ministry of Works came in a close second with 103 resolutions directed at it, emphasizing the critical state of Nigeria’s infrastructure and the lawmakers’ concern over delayed or abandoned road projects. FERMA, which is tasked with road maintenance, followed with 79 resolutions, reflecting a similar legislative push for improved road networks and public safety.
The Ecological Fund Office received 82 resolutions aimed at addressing environmental degradation such as erosion and flooding. The Ministry of Environment, on its part, was the subject of 38 resolutions, signaling an increased awareness among lawmakers of the need for environmental sustainability and climate action.
The frequency with which NEMA was called upon by lawmakers reflects the deepening humanitarian and emergency management challenges across the country. This, however, raises questions about the agency’s capacity and resources to effectively respond to the rising number of emergencies, prompting calls for increased funding, legislative backing, and institutional reforms.
Rep. Philip Agbese (APC Benue), on November 23, 2023, in one of his motion during the period under review, called for need to strengthen the agency to enhance speedy response to emergencies and disaster occurrences in Nigeria
Agbese called on the House committee on emergency and disaster preparedness to review NEMA’s activities to conform with its mandates from inception to date. The committee was asked to evaluate NEMA’s disaster response capabilities in terms of personnel competencies and response/management infrastructures.
The motion also directed the committee to determine if funds disbursed to NEMA are utilized in conformity with extant financial regulations and tandem with the agency’s mandates. The committee was mandated to proffer recommendations on how to improve the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative actions.
While NEMA, FERMA, Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Works Ecological Fund and Ministry of Environment were being bombarded with mandates stemming from resolutions in the first ten months of the 10th House, the respective standing committees in the House seized with oversight were not left out of the spotlight.
The House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management chaired by Rep. Bassey Joseph (APC Cross River), received 44 referrals from related motions. In the same vein, the House Committee on Works chaired by Rep. Akinola Alabi (APC Oyo) received 72 referrals while the House Committee on FERMA chaired by Rep. Aderemi Abasi Oseni (APC Oyo) received 44 referrals to ensure compliance.
The House, also in this period, referred 23 resolutions to the House Committee on Ecological Fund chaired by Rep. Aminu Sani Jaji (APC Zamfara), while House Committee on Environment chaired by Rep. Julius Pondi (PDP Delta) received 21 resolutions from environmental related motions.
While lawmakers have shown that they are active in fulfilling one of their core mandates which is representation, findings showed that the majority of them hardly follow up to ensure the resolutions arising from their motions are complied with and executed.
Gaps Persist in Implementation
Despite the activism of lawmakers, a recurring gap remains in follow-through and enforcement of resolutions passed by the House. Parliament Reports reached out to a cross-section of motion sponsors and chairpersons of committees with oversight responsibilities to get their views on the progress of referrals. A majority did not respond as of press time.
However, Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), representing Ideato North/Ideato South federal constituency, responded by stating that he actively monitors the outputs of his motions by following-through.
He stressed his commitment to ensuring that legislative resolutions arising from his motions are not only passed but implemented for the benefit of his constituents.
Speaking exclusively with Parliament Reports, Rep. Ugochinyere emphasized the importance of follow-through in legislative processes, particularly for motions that impact local communities.
“Yes, I make it a priority to follow through on resolutions arising from motions I sponsored, especially as it relates to my federal constituency,” he said, adding: “Recognizing that the passage of a motion is only the initial step, I actively monitor the progress of these resolutions with the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure implementation.”
The lawmaker noted that beyond monitoring, he engages directly with House committees responsible for oversight, leveraging their influence to push for execution of resolutions.
“I regularly interface with House committees that have oversight responsibilities in areas connected to my motions,” Ugochinyere explained. “This collaborative engagement ensures that resolutions are not only adopted but pursued to execution through strategic oversight actions like letter writing, interface with committee chairmen, and agency heads.”
Rep. Ugochinyere said some of his efforts have been yielding, citing the implementation of the resolution for the rehabilitation of the collapsed Akokwa-Umuchima-Mgbe-Orlu federal road and the Mgbe-Umuezeala-Ogboko bridge in Ideato South Local Government Area, which arose from a motion he moved on July 19, 2023.
“Steps were taken to include it in the 2023 Supplementary Budget and the 2024 Appropriation Act,” he disclosed, adding: “Although,there is a need for more executive action and budgetary allocation to completely put the road in a perfect condition.”
Rep. Ugochinyere pointed out that some critical motions remain unimplemented, including the motion on on the need to proffer a lasting solution to the devastating gully erosion in Isiekenesi, Urualla, Obodukwu, Umueshi, Amanator, Arondizuogu, Akokwa, villages and communities in Ideato North / Ideato South Local Government Areas of Imo State; and another on reconstructing failed portions of the Oba-Nnewi-Uga-Akokwa-Arondizuogu-Okigwe federal road in Idemili North/Demili South/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo, Aguata and Ideati North/South, which affects federal constituencies in both Anambra and Imo States.
As the 10th House progresses, all eyes will remain on how thoroughly resolutions translate into action. Whether on NEMA, FERMA or other agencies, the intensity of legislative activity may be impressive—but effectiveness will ultimately be measured by implementation, impact, and accountability.
Motions & Movement is an initiative of OrderPaper that tracks motions raised by lawmakers during plenary and offers insights into the progress of resolutions by parliamentary committees.
