Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, announced on Monday that the lower legislative chamber will soon amend its standing rules to allow Nigerians to submit petitions electronically.

This development was disclosed during the inauguration of the digitalized hearing room for the House Committee on Public Accounts and the unveiling of the PAC news magazine.

Abass emphasized the importance of accessibility and accountability in the parliament, aligning with the legislative agenda.

“The house will commence the process of amending its standing orders to accommodate e-petitions and facilitate the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in receiving and processing public petitions,” he said.

He highlighted that this innovative approach would be the first of its kind in Nigeria, enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of petition procedures, thereby allowing citizens to engage more effectively with the legislative process.

“By integrating ICT, we aim to ensure that every voice can be heard and considered promptly, thus reinforcing our dedication to a responsive and accountable governance system that truly serves the interests of the Nigerian people,” Abass added.

Abass noted that incorporating ICT into the Public Accounts Committee’s work would improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency. “These initiatives are part of the activities marking the first anniversary of the 10th house of representatives, ‘The People’s House.’ They are also integral to our legislative agenda, which prioritises good governance by leveraging technology and digital media to ensure that legislative processes are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”

He mentioned that, according to the recently unveiled one-year scorecard, the Public Accounts Committee accounted for 96 out of the 502 committee meetings held in the first session of the house.

“Your oversight activities on issues arising from house resolutions, such as the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds by MDAs and the investigation of revenue leakages through the Remitta platform, highlight the seriousness attached to your oversight functions,” Abass stated.

Bamidele Salam, chairman of the committee, noted that the digitalized hearing room and PAC magazine aim to improve public engagement.

 “This digitalized hearing room, equipped with digital technologies such as laptops with over 100 resources, unlimited internet facilities, large-screen multimedia, and other technical devices for e-hearing, represents a major milestone in our committee’s history,” he said.

“I am proud to say that we are now better equipped to discharge our constitutional mandate with greater efficiency and effectiveness.”

Abass concluded by affirming the house’s commitment to leveraging technology for good governance and inclusive participation. “By investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating our technological capabilities, the lower chamber aims to set a benchmark in legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people,” he said.