SENATE PASSES INTO LAW SEVEN CONCURRENCE BILLS
The Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 stepped up its process of legislation by passing into law seven concurrence Bills. The Bills, nine in number which emanated from the House of Representatives; were presented for second reading by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
The general principles of the Bills were debated upon and subsequently scaled through second reading; seven were referred to the Committee of the Whole and thereafter passed into law while two were referred to various Committees for further legislative input. Among the legislation read the third time and passed include:
1) Animal Health and Husbandry Technologies (Registration etc.) Bill, 2017 (H.B.320), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
2) Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill, 2017 (H.B. 119), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
3) Corporate Manslaughter Bill, 2017 (H.B. 273), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
4) National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency Bill, 2017 (H.B. 127), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
5) National Intelligence Agency Pension Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (H.B. 842), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
6) Nigerian Academy of Science (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (H.B. 917), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
7) National Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science Bill, 2017 (H.B. 405), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North).
Similarly, the Upper Legislative Chamber has equally considered and passed for seconding the following legislation.
a) Two Consolidated Bills on Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (H.B. 99 & 118), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Oil and Gas Downstream and Upstream to report back in another legislative date.
b) Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (Fiscal Incentives Assurances and Guarantees), Bill, 2017 (H.B. 896), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Industry to report back in another legislative date.
c) A Bill for an Act to make provisions for Mandatory Haemoglobin-Genotype Test and for other connected matters thereto, 2017 (S.B. 414), sponsored by Sen. Ogembe Ahmed (Kogi Central). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health to report back in four weeks.
d) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 to provide for the enlistment required and welfare, align punishments contained therein with realities and for related matters, 2017 (S.B. 453), sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to report back in four weeks.
Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has deliberated upon and passed a Motion titled “The recent Flood that ravaged Tafa and Suleja Local Government Areas of Niger State. The Motion came via Point of Order 42 moved by Sen. David Umaru (Niger East). According to Sen. Umaru, the flood that ravaged the areas was due heavy downpour which submerged various communities in the two Local Government Areas of Niger State and other parts of the country led to the loss of lives and properties. The Motion sailed through with the following prayers below:
i) Senate commiserates with the people and government of Niger State and other parts of Nigeria that were ravaged by flood.
ii) Urge the Federal Government to send relief materials to the affected victims of the flood in all areas affected across the country.
iii) Urge the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to intensify weather forecast in order to avert future recurrence of such disaster in the country.
iv) Observe a minute silence in honour of the persons that lost their lives as a result of the flood.