SENATE RECEIVES LIST OF NOMINEES FOR MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE & CBN DEPUTY GOVERNORS FOR CONFIRMATION
The Senate has acknowledged the receipt of two Executive Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari. The two letters sent to the Chamber were forwarding the nominations of four persons for screening and confirmation for appointment as Members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in accordance with Section 12(1) (4) of the CBN Act, 2007 and two persons for appointment as Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with Section 8(1) (2) of the CBN Act, 2007. The nominees include:
1) Professor Adeola Festus Adenikinju – Member MPC
2) Dr. Aliyu Rafindadi Sunusi – Member MPC
3) Dr. Robert Chikwendu Asogwa – Member MPC
4) Dr. Asheikh A. Maidugu – Member MPC and
1) Aisha Ahmad – Deputy Governor CBN
2) Edward Adamu – Deputy Governor CBN
The screening exercise of the nominees has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to report back in one week.
Meanwhile, Sen. Dino Melaye rose under point of order 42 & 52 to draw the attention of the Senate to an alleged plan by the Kogi State Governor to establish State police in the guise of vigilante Group through the back door. He disclosed that a law has already been enacted in that regard by the Kogi State House of Assembly. The law-maker added that the action amounts to a breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The Motion sailed through with a single resolution below:
i) The Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters should invite the National Security Adviser to the President to brief the Committees on the matter.
Similarly, the Red Chamber has equally deliberated upon and passed a Motion titled Demise of his Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma (OON), sponsored by Sen. Suleiman Adokwe (Nasarawa South), and Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West). He passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the age of 75. The Motion scaled through with two prayers below:
i) Observe a minute silence in respect of the late Alhaji Akwe Doma, former Governor of Nasarawa State.
ii) Send a delegation to condole with the family, people and government of Nasarawa State over the great national loss.
Nevertheless, The Upper Legislative Chamber has debated and passed for second reading seven Bills. The Legislation that progressed to the next legislative stage include:
1) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act CAP R3 LFN 2004 and re-enact the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Bill and for related matters 2018 (S.B. 593), sponsored by Sen. Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Science and Technology to report back in four weeks.
2) A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Act CAP F18 LFN 2004 to provide for the establishment of National Stations in each of geo-political zones, Abuja and Lagos to enhance efficient service delivery of the Corporation and for related matters, 2018 (S.B. 517), sponsored by Sen. Umaru I. Kurfi (Katsina Central). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation to report in four weeks.
3) A Bill for an Act to provide for Public Service Efficiency and for related matters, 2018 (S.B. 610), sponsored by Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters to report back in four weeks.
4) A Bill for an Act to establish the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria to conduct qualifying examination, regulate the Counselling Profession and for related matters connected therewith, 2018 (636), sponsored by Sen. Isa Hammah Misau (Bauchi Central). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters to report back in four weeks.
5) A Bill for an Act to establish the National Institute for Construction Technology and Management, Uromi, Edo State to produce middle and high level manpower for nation’s economic and industrial growth in the areas of Construction Technology, Applied Sciences and Management Sciences as well as other related matters, 2018 (S.B. 630), sponsored by Sen. Clifford Ordia (Edo Central). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in four weeks.
6) A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Coast Guards and for matters connected therewith, 2018 (S.B. 579), sponsored by Sen. Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to report back in four weeks.
7) A Bill for an Act to repeal the Patents and Design Act CAP P2 LFN 2004 and enact the Patents Bill, 2018 to provide for the protection of interventions and other related matters, 2018 (S.B. 630), sponsored by Sen. Andy Uba (Anambra South). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment to report back in four weeks.