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Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 18 April 2018 / No comments
The main functions of the National Assembly under the 1960 independence constitution of Nigeria
THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNDER THE 1960
INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTION OF NIGERIA
Introduction
The 1960 independent constitution of Nigeria came into effect
on 1st October, 1960, a day Nigeria was declared independent from
Britain. The new constitution made provisions for the creation of a National
Assembly made up of two chambers of the legislature, the House of
Representative and the House of Senate. The House of Representatives,
constituted the lower house and the House of Senate, constituted the upper
house.
FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The enactment of laws
One of the main functions of the National Assembly is to make
laws to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the country. Under the
procedure prescribed by the constitution, a draft bill is sent to the House of
Representatives for debate and possibly passed into law. After passing through
the required stages and passed, the bill is sent to the House of Senate for a
second look. When this is approved, it is sent to the President append his
signature to become a law.
Approval of annual
budget
Another function of the National Assembly is to approve the
annual budget. The budget contains the details of how government intends to
raise money and spend it in the ensuing year. The executive cannot just raise
money and spend without recourse to the National Assembly. Without this
approval, the government cannot go ahead with its financial activities in the
coming year.
Approval of government appointments
It is the function of the National Assembly to approve the
nominations for appointment from the executive arm of the government. The list of nominees for appointment is sent to the National Assembly and the nominees appear
before the house for vetting. Until the nominees are approved by the house, the
executive has no power to appoint them to their substantive positions.
Approval of major government
policies
Apart from the approval of the annual budget by the National
Assembly, the house also has the power to approve all major policies of
government before they can be implemented. If the government enters into a loan
agreement with a foreign government or with the International Monetary Fund,
for example, the loan agreement must be brought before the National Assembly for
scrutiny and approval.
Scrutinize the
activities of government
The National Assembly is charged under the 1960 constitution
to check the activities of the executive to ensure that they comply with the
tenets of their office. This is done during question time in the house. A
minister of government or anybody accredited to stand for him, can be summoned
before the National Assembly where he/she is thoroughly grilled on any problems
going on in his ministry. This aspect of the work of the National Assembly under the 1960 independent constitution keeps the executive on its toes as regards how it runs the affairs of the country.
Check malfeasance
Another function of the National Assembly is the control the
misuse of government funds. Every year, the Auditor-General is mandated to present
to the House an audited account of all the ministries, departments and agencies
of government. Where any anomalies are detected, the appropriate steps are
recommended for the lost monies to be recovered or the culprits arraigned
before a court of competent jurisdiction.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. What six functions were performed by the National Assembly
under the 1960 independent constitution of Nigeria?
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