The National Assembly has again, on Thursday shifted the resumption of plenary which was earlier scheduled for April 23 to April 30, to allow for the full renovation of both main chambers.
This was announced in a notice by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze.
The notice of postponement of resumption also stated that lawmakers would also be reconvening back to the main chambers upon resumption.
Both Houses moved to temporary chambers in September 2022 after the commencement of renovation work on their Hallowed Chambers by Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited in July 2022.
The notice read, “Distinguished Senators are hereby, respectfully informed that resumption of plenary, which was earlier postponed to Tuesday 23rd April 2024, has further been postponed to Tuesday 30th April 2024 at 11 am.
“Kindly note that the plenary sitting will be held at the main Chamber of the Senate. All inconveniences this postponement may cause Distinguished Senators are highly regretted, please.”
Similarly, in a statement by the chairman, the House Committee on Media, Akin Rotimi, said the House would reconvene on April 30, to allow for lawmakers to complete the constitution review process.
Rotimi quoting the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, said in an internal correspondence to Honourable Members on Wednesday, that the extension was aimed at giving Honourable Members more time for constituency outreach to secure adequate input in the constitution review process.
The statement read, “The extension follows the earlier decision by the House Committee on Constitution Review to extend the deadline for submission of memoranda to April 30, 2024.
“Additionally, the extended timeline will allow for more concerted preparation for the legislative summits on State Police, as well as the one on Tax Reforms, Revenue Enhancement, and Digital Transformation coming up in the next two weeks.”
“All inconveniences arising from this rescheduling are regretted. In line with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th Assembly, the House remains committed to being accountable and providing timely communications to all stakeholders,” it added.
The Senate and House of Representatives had shifted resumption after its Easter and Eid recess to April 23, but on Thursday, it announced a rescheduling of its plenary resumption.