By Aaron Ossai
The Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Ahmed Munir, has reiterated the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to transparency, inclusiveness, and people-oriented legislation aimed at driving Nigeria’s economic growth and institutional reform.
Hon. Munir who spoke at a public hearing on ten bills yesterday said the House remains focused on ensuring that every proposed law reflects the genuine needs of Nigerians.
He explained that the bills under consideration span multiple sectors of the economy, with provisions to establish new professional regulatory bodies, amend outdated laws, and strengthen the operational capabilities of existing institutions for greater service delivery.
“A critical look at these bills shows that both the legislature and the executive have the interest of the citizens at heart.
“Some of these bills, if passed, will create regulatory institutions that ensure professionalism, accountability, and efficiency across various sectors”, he said.
Among the notable bills deliberated on was the Bill for an Act to Establish Climate Resilient Commerce in Nigeria (HB. 2206), which seeks to create a framework for promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing the vulnerability of Nigerian businesses to climate-related risks.
Speaking further he noted that the proposed legislation aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and will position Nigeria to take advantage of international partnerships and incentives tied to environmental sustainability.
“The importance of synergy between the legislature and the executive toward good governance and human capital development cannot be overemphasized,” he said. “Bills like this will help moderate potential damage, reduce long-term risks, and enable us to benefit from global and local opportunities associated with climate change mitigation”, he added.
Munir said the essence of the public hearing was to provide a platform for citizens and stakeholders to express their views, thereby enriching the legislative process with diverse perspectives.
“Every democratic dispensation is guided by laws that help ensure good governance and allow citizens to benefit maximally from government programmes,” he said.
The lawmaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for stabilizing key economic indicators, including achieving a 3.9% annual GDP growth and improving revenue mobilization. He described these achievements as signs that “the bleeding has been stopped,” adding that the next phase should focus on translating macroeconomic progress into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
“What is critically left is the healing of the wound, ensuring that the gains at the macro level translate into micro-level improvements for our people,” Munir said. “This requires expanding social protection schemes, ensuring transparency in public finance, tackling food insecurity, and addressing inflation and trade barriers”, he added.
