REPRESENTATIVES MOURN BOMB BLAST VICTIMS, CONDEMN ATTACKS BY INSURGENTS.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have appealed to the Nigerian Army to do more to beef up security in areas that might become the next port of call of the dastardly attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist sect. The appeal came during plenary on Tuesday 6th, October 2015 in tandem with the mood of the nation following the recent bomb blasts which claimed several lives in Abuja, Adamawa and Maiduguri.
While pledging that it would not relent in doing whatever is necessary within the ambit of its legislative capacity to support the security agencies in the fight against insurgency in the country, the House urged the Nigeria Army to deploy more men to vulnerable areas in ensuring that lives and properties are protected.
In another development, coming under a Point of Order, the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor (Isoko North/South, Delta State) called the attention of the House to the incidence of flooding that has submerged several communities across the country including his own constituency, Isoko North/South in Delta State. He informed that the flood has made the affected areas inaccessible and has left many displaced. He pointed out that neighboring States like Edo, Kwara, Kogi were also devastated by the flood.
Responding to his prayers, the House resolved to compile a list of all the affected States to be forwarded to relevant intervention agencies for prompt action. The House further urged the Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Fund to urgently design modality to address the plight of the displaced people as well as the devastated communities.
However, the plenary was wrapped up with a debate on the general principles of a Bill that sought to provide for the licensing, regulation and incentives to petroleum refineries in Nigeria and other matters connected therewith. Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta (Ukwa East/West, Abia State) led the debate in support of the Bill that scaled second reading on the floor of the House.