*As they adopt new Code of Conduct
ABUJA— THE House of Representatives rejected, yesterday, a clause in its draft code of conduct forbidding members from receiving cash gift of more than N20,000 from individuals or organisations more than once in a year. This followed complaints from members that the amount was too small.
The Reps, however, adopted a clause barring members from engaging in acts such as physically or sexually assaulting fellow reps or attempting to seize the mace during debates. A female member was suspended for one week last week after assaulting a male colleague.
According to the House leader, Mr Abdul Ningi, the peculiarity of the African situation, which encourages gift and hospitality, should be put in proper perspective by the code. “Let us look at the value of N20,000 and the spirit of African hospitality.
If somebody gives a member N30,000 or a gift that is worth more than N20,000, should he take half and return the other half to him? We should be realistic and make codes that are enforceable,” he argued. The deputy speaker who presided over yesterday’s session directed the committee on ethics and privileges to rework the chapter and submit to the House today for final adoption. The adopted chapters included those that dealing with the general conduct of members, conflict of interest andabuse of office.
Under the general conduct, the code provides that members shall not indulge in any reprehensible act or misdemeanor that will bring them or the House to disrepute. They are also forbidden from using derogatory, discriminative or gender insensitive language or any other language that might be considered offensive.
Besides, they are barred from engaging in any abusive, discriminatory assault and physical conducts towards their staff and colleagues or sexual harassment. They are also not to make improper use of any payments, allowances or equipment provided for official purposes and they are not to divert funds intended for the payment of their personal, committee or constituency office staffers.
The code also bar members from soliciting or doing contracts either with the National Assembly or any agency or ministry that they perform oversight function over. It is expected that the final passage of the code where sanctions for any breach are spelt out would be done today.
