The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly approve two Bills recently reintroduced and passed by the Assembly, considering them crucial for the ongoing battle against insecurity in the nation. The House believes that the enactment of these Bills would offer essential support to the Armed Forces and Defense. The two Bills in question, namely the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill and the Armed Forces Trust Fund Bill, were initially passed by the 9th Assembly during the previous administration but did not receive assent from the former president, Muhammad Buhari.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, made this appeal during the closing ceremony of a 2-day post-inauguration retreat organized for members of the House Committee on Defence by the National Defence College in Abuja. Kalu emphasized President Tinubu’s attentiveness to National Assembly activities and expressed confidence that the bills would not face delays during this administration. He assured the public that the 10th House is committed to working for the overall welfare of the citizens and highlighted the government’s significant mandate to ensure the security of lives and properties.
Kalu underscored the importance of the DICON Bill, noting that its enactment would stimulate local content in the manufacturing of tools and equipment crucial for national security. He urged President Tinubu to act urgently, emphasizing that the military funding contracts would be transformed into military-industrial complexes, contributing to the nation’s defense capabilities through technological innovation and ingenuity.