David Mark, a former Senate president, has criticized the large number of committees in the National Assembly.
Politics Nigeria reports that the National Assembly, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, recently announced chairmen of 152 committees for both chambers.
The Senate has 71 special and standing committees while the House of Representatives has 81.
Mark stressed that having too many committees would make it difficult for lawmakers to function efficiently.
Speaking at a retreat for principal officers of the 10th National Assembly during the weekend, Mark said creating many committees for patronage and political expediency is counter-productive.
He noted that a situation where a lawmaker is allowed to serve in six committees was unwise as he or she will not be able to participate effectively or efficiently in the committee assignments.
Mark, who served as President of the 6th and 7th Senate, said: “The total of 71 committees (8 plus 63) in the Senate and 81 committees (7 plus 74) in the House of Representatives, in my opinion, is unwieldy. You must understand that not every senator or house member can be a chairman of a committee.
“A ranking member of a committee is as effective and influential as a chairman of the committee. Creating so many committees for patronage and political expediency is counter-productive.
“In constituting the committee, it will be advisable to ensure expertise, party spread, geographical balancing and ranking. I must emphasise the issue of ranking; it is very important in the legislature.”
