Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all ad hoc committees of the House following the expiration of deadlines given to them to complete their assignments.

The decision was communicated through a circular signed by the Clerk of the House, Sidi Ibrahim, with the directive taking effect from Friday, August 28, 2026.

According to the circular, the affected committees had been established to undertake specific assignments within defined periods but failed to conclude their responsibilities within the approved timelines.

The development marks a significant administrative decision by the leadership of the House as it seeks to enforce compliance with parliamentary rules governing temporary committees.

Ad hoc committees are generally established by the House to handle specific issues, investigations or assignments requiring focused attention. Unlike standing committees, they are temporary and are expected to operate only for the period and purpose approved by the House.

The Clerk said the deadlines previously given to the committees had expired without the required reports being submitted.

He noted that only two of the committees had formally applied for and received extensions under the relevant provisions of the House Standing Orders.

The extensions, according to the circular, provided an additional two weeks for the affected committees to complete their work.

However, those additional periods also expired without the assignments being concluded.

The House leadership consequently determined that the continued existence of the committees could no longer be justified under the rules governing their operations.

The circular reminded lawmakers that ad hoc committees are created for specific and time-bound mandates and should not continue indefinitely beyond the period approved for their work.

Following the directive, all activities being conducted under the dissolved committees were ordered to stop immediately.

Chairmen of the affected committees were also instructed to submit outstanding reports, working documents, records and other materials connected with their assignments to the Office of the Clerk.

The order applies to members of the dissolved committees, who were directed to comply with the directive.

The action comes amid efforts by the leadership of the House to strengthen internal discipline and ensure that parliamentary assignments are completed within approved timelines.

Committee work is an important part of the legislative process because lawmakers rely on committees to investigate issues, scrutinise government activities, consider proposals and prepare reports for consideration by the wider House.

Temporary committees are often created when an issue requires a specific investigation or assignment outside the routine responsibilities of standing committees.

However, their temporary nature means their mandates are expected to expire when their assignments are completed or when the approved period ends.

The House leadership’s decision therefore reinforces the distinction between temporary and permanent parliamentary structures.

The Clerk cited provisions of the House Standing Orders dealing with the establishment and duration of ad hoc committees.

The directive also means that any activity undertaken in the name of the dissolved committees after the effective date would no longer have the authority of the House.

The affected chairmen must now hand over documents and other materials relating to their assignments to the Clerk’s office.

The development could also prompt renewed attention to the progress of parliamentary investigations and assignments previously handled by the dissolved committees.

For lawmakers involved, the directive places responsibility on committee leadership to account for work undertaken and provide whatever records remain outstanding.

The decision by Abbas demonstrates the Speaker’s authority over the administration and coordination of House business.

It also sends a message that temporary legislative bodies are expected to operate within the mandates and deadlines approved for them.

The dissolution does not necessarily mean that issues previously assigned to the committees will no longer receive legislative attention. Further action would depend on decisions by the House leadership and the procedures available under its Standing Orders.

For now, however, the affected ad hoc committees have been formally dissolved and their activities brought to an end.

The House has directed that outstanding materials be transferred to the Clerk’s office for safekeeping and further administrative action.