The number of the House of Representatives' standing committees has surged from 89 in the Seventh House to 134 in the 10th House.

The House of Representatives has responded to public criticism regarding its ever-expanding number of standing committees, which has now reached 134, even in the face of economic challenges affecting the country.

These 134 committees set up by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, in June, had been tasked with managing the affairs of the 10th House of Representatives.

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, has defended the House's actions while speaking with the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja.

Mr Rotimi addressed concerns about potential duplication of functions among these committees, noting that the 10th Assembly's approach was different from previous ones.

In the Ninth House of Representatives, under former Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, the standing committees numbered 109.

In the previous Eighth House, Speaker Yakubu Dogara constituted 96 of such committees.

There are 89 standing committees in the Seventh House.

However, in the 10th House, under Mr Abbas, the number of standing committees has surged to 134.

Some Nigerians have voiced concerns over what they perceived as an excessive number of committees, contradicting President Bola Tinubu's vow to reduce the cost of governance, especially in the light of rising fuel prices and the associated economic challenges.

Mr Rotimi, who serves as the House's spokesperson, emphasised that the speaker's decision to form 134 standing committees was a well-considered one.

He pledged to continue the House's weekly press briefings with parliamentary reporters, emphasising the importance of transparency in the leadership of the 10th assembly.

Furthermore, Rotimi highlighted that the house had processed bills and motions, with over 300 motions considered and around 1,800 bills at various stages of progress.

(NAN)