BY BEN AGANDE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE
ABUJA—The House of Representatives yesterday reacted with cautious optimism to the appointment of an Acting Inspector General of Police by President Goodluck Jonathan, noting, however, that though it was too early to roll out the drums in celebration, the new IG had generational advantage that could help in his new job.

Spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, said what the new Inspector general needed now to succeed was for all Nigerians to collaborate with him to ensure he succeeded.

“We cannot roll out the drums yet. But going by his track records, he is a professional. He has some generational advantage in his favour. He has served in several commands and from what has been said about him, it appears he is very qualified.

“But what is needed now is for all Nigerians to join hands with him to tackle the security challenge. We must all support him,” he said.

Speaking on the increasing cost of governance in the country, Zakari said what was expected of other arms of government was to cut their overhead costs as was done by the National Assembly in order to free more money for other developmental projects.

He said the Constitution Review committee of the National Assembly would ensure that grey areas in the constitution that had constituted impediments to the smooth running of government would be strengthened.

He added  that the view of Nigerians would be accommodated in the constitution review in order to make the constitution a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.

On the allegations that the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, had called for negotiation with the Boko Haram sect, Zakari Mohammed said the speaker might have been quoted out of context as he was committed like other Nigerians to ensuring that the menace of the religious sect was nipped in the bud.

He promised that the outcome of the on going probe of the subsidy regime would be in the best interest of the Nigerian people adding that ‘this house is determined to ensure that we do not sweep anything under the carpet as it is being insinuated in some quarters