The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has urged President Bola Tinubu to demand greater performance and accountability from service chiefs.

Mr Abbas made the call in his opening speech at plenary on Tuesday as the house resumed from the Christmas and New Year holidays.

He said for too long, the nation had been caught in the vicious grip of insecurity, a malaise that spreads its tentacles far and wide.

“In these trying times, President Bola Tinubu has exhibited exemplary leadership and a proactive approach. His recent interventions and directives for more action by security agencies are timely and reflective of his deep-seated resolve to restore peace and order.

“Indeed, the time has come for the president to demand greater performance and accountability from our service chiefs and all security and enforcement agencies.

“I implore the president not to shy away from making the tough decisions. If necessary, we must not hesitate to enact changes within our security apparatus, for the cost of inaction is far too great to bear,” the speaker stressed.

Mr Abbas commended the efforts of security agencies in the country, describing them as patriotic and brave.

He, however, said the time had come for reviewing approaches and strategies and innovating and adapting new ones as the enemy evolves.

“I challenge you to rise to this occasion, to demonstrate the indomitable spirit for which you are known, and to do more in safeguarding the lives and properties of our people,” added the speaker.

He mandated relevant security-based committees of the house to engage with the security chiefs on some of the most immediate measures and resources needed to improve security across the country.

The speaker said Nigeria continues to grapple with numerous hurdles that impede its growth trajectory. He said inflation, unemployment, and infrastructural deficits are issues that touch the core of citizens’s daily lives.

According to him, the continuous naira depreciation has far-reaching consequences, given that Nigeria relies heavily on imports for many essential items, including food, fuel and machinery.

“Yet, amidst these challenges, there are signs of resilience and potential. The president’s economic policies, aimed at revitalising key sectors, promoting sustainable growth, and fostering inclusive development, are steps in the right direction.

“We in the legislative arm must align our efforts with the Executive to ensure that these initiatives are effectively implemented and yield tangible results for every Nigerian,” he said.

Mr Abbas commended the dedication and commitment of the legislators to deliberations on the 2024 budget of ‘Renewed Hope’ and its quick passage.

He urged the lawmakers to focus on ensuring the budget’s judicious and meticulous implementation.

Mr Abbas said the budget was intended to be catalytic in lifting the economy from its current state of stagnation.

“Every committee is tasked with engaging the ministries, departments, and agencies to oversee the effective execution of the budgetary allocations and ensure that every naira allocated in the budget is utilised efficiently and transparently.

“Our goal is to provide our people with much-needed relief from the current harsh economic realities,” he said.

(NAN)