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SENATE PASSES INTO LAW CONSUMER PROTECTION, WITNESS PROTECTION & FEDERAL ROAD AUTHORITY BILLS

SENATE PASSES INTO LAW CONSUMER PROTECTION, WITNESS PROTECTION & FEDERAL ROAD AUTHORITY BILLS
The plenary session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017 witnessed the passage of three Bill into law. The legislation were accorded the ultimate legislative approval following the presentation of their reports before the Chamber for consideration and approval. The Bills read the third time and passed into law by the Upper Legislative Chamber include: 
1) Federal Competitive and Consumer Protection Bill, 2017 (S.B. 257), sponsored by Sen. Fatima Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti Central).
It would be recalled that the Bill was presented for clause by clause consideration by the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 and was later deferred to another legislative date by Chamber. In fact, 40 clauses of the Bill were considered and approved as recommended or amended before the adjournment of that day’s sitting. 
On resumption of consideration of the Bill, clauses 41 – 169 were considered and approved along with the explanatory memorandum of understanding, short and long titles of the Bill as recommended or amended in the Committee of the Whole. Thereafter, the Bill was read the third time and passed.
2) Witness Protection Programme (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (S.B. 157), standing in the name of Sen. David Umaru (Niger East).
The Bill was presented before the Senate for clause by clause consideration by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters led by Sen Umaru. The Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 16, explanatory memorandum of understanding, short and long titles of the Bill were considered and approved as recommended or amended. Afterwards, it was read the third time and passed.
3) Federal Road Authority (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (S.B. 219), sponsored by Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South).
The legislation was earlier presented for consideration on Thursday, June 1, 2017 by the Senate Committee on Works led by Sen. Gaya. In fact, up to 11 clauses of the Bill were considered and approved as recommended or amended before it was deferred to another legislative date. The resumed consideration of the Bill saw clauses 12 – 34, schedules 1, 2, 3, short and long titles as well as the explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill approved as recommended or amended. Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session congratulated his colleagues over the passage of the three legislation, stating that the passage of the first Bill is aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for heathy competition and protect consumers’ interest at the same time. While commending the members of the Senate Committee on Works over the passage of the third Bill, Sen. Ekweremadu asserted that the legislation will ensure the establishment of an Agency charged with the mandate of management and maintenance of the nation’s road infrastructures.

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