Section 56 empowers the National Assembly or any of its committees, inter alia, to: . Summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents; . Require any person or institution to report to it; . Receive petitions, representations or submissions from any interested persons or institutions. The above-mentioned powers are further expatiated upon on the Rules of the National Assembly. In addition to these powers, the rules empower the parliamentary committees to conduct public hearings.