By Sandra Michaels
The House of Representatives has considered two Bills seeking to improve welfare and protect Nigerians for second reading, with focus on State Security Service pensions and rent regulation in the FCT.
The first Bill, by Rep. Hussaini Jallo, seeks to amend the State Security Service Pensions Act to create a Governing Board and a Head of Pension with aims to ensure transparency and guarantee the welfare of retired officers.
The second Bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Nnamchi, seeks to regulate rent in the FCT, and proposes to ban compulsory multiple-year rent demands including checking arbitrary increases, and create a digital register for housing agents.
The Rent bill however generated mixed reactions from Members on the floor.
Ruling on Both Bills, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu referred them to the appropriate committees for further action.
In another development, the House has called for a holistic review of Federal Government MSME interventions in Nigeria.
In a motion by Rep. Billy Osawaru from Edo state, there is poor coordination, duplication and weak assessment which is limiting the impact of the programmes, leaving many small businesses struggling to access finance, skills and markets.
The House thereby mandated its Committee on SMEs to hold an interactive session with MDAs, financial institutions and MSME stakeholders, examine funding and outcomes from 2023 to date, and report back within four weeks.
