Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Emeka Ihedioha

Onwuka Nzeshi in Abuja

The House of Representatives Friday embarked on its annual vacation. The recess which would last  43 days will enable the lawmakers embark on constituency outreach programmes for  the  electorate in their various  constituencies.

The lawmakers are however, taking with them piles of unfinished businesses including the oversight responsibility on the implementation of the 2012 budget, review of the Constitution as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB) which was presented to the parliament two days ago.
The lawmakers would, on resumption, be expected to give their verdict on the implementation of the 2012 budget and prepare for the presentation of the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

It is also expected that lawmakers would use the period of the recess to hold consultations with their constituents on the alterations to be made on the Constitution.

Other  pending issues  which the lawmakers would have to return to include  the fuel subsidy probe report and  the stock market investigation report both of which have not been fully considered and adopted for implementation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Emeka Ihedioha explained yesterday that the House resolution on budget implementation was informed by the belief that appropriate and timely execution of the budget would critically fast-track infrastructure development in the country.

He said the House was always prepared to work closely with the executive to ensure that the 2012 Budget and the subsequent budgets were comprehensively implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He disclosed that the concern of the   National Assembly was not just to appropriate funds for development but to ensure that such funds were judiciously utilised by the executive.

According to him, since there has not been any evidence of decline in revenue, in relation to the projections in the budget, the House expected full and speedy implementation of the 2012 Budget.
He said that the numerous challenges facing the   nation today required statesmen who should be able to preserve the unity and stability  of the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to the review of the constitution, pledging that by the middle of next year substantial progress would have been made in the review process.