Sittings at the House of Representatives were on Tuesday disrupted due to faulty air-conditioners in the chamber.
The lawmakers complained it was not conducive for them to carry out their legislative duties due to the heat, causing Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to skip some aspects of deliberations for the day.
The House also decided that a letter be written to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territorial Administration (FCTA) to fix the National Assembly complex.
This is not the first time the legislators would be embarrassed due to the dilapidating state of the complex, despite the N9 billion allocated in the 2020 supplementary budget for the renovation of the complex.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that on July 22, the roof of the National Assembly complex leaked after a heavy downpour. From the main lobby of the legislative complex – between both chambers – water dripped from the roof to other parts of the building.
On September 22, the complex experienced another embarrassing episode when the same roof dripped after heavy rainfall.
As Tuesday’s sitting resumed, the speaker said the chamber was not conducive, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said if it could not be fixed soon, they may have to cut their deliberations short.
However, after efforts to fix the air-conditioners by national assembly’s technicians failed, a member, Haruna Dederi, raised a point of order that they adjourn due to the unbearable condition caused by the non-functioning air-conditioners.
But the Gbajabiamila rather abridged the proceedings and rushed so they could leave. He later directed the clerk of the house to ensure the air-conditioners work by Wednesday when debates on the 2022 budget estimate would begin.
