News Post

The plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 commenced with the consideration of a Motion titled “The Assent of North-East Development Commission Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari”, sponsored by Sen. Danjuma Goje and 15 Co-Sponsors. The Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan led the debate on the Motion.

Sen. Lawan noted that the North-East Development Commission Bill was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation on Thursday 26th October, 2017. The assent to the Bill marks the establishment and take off of North-East Development Commission to among other things:

a) Receive and manage funds allocated by Federal Government and the International Donor Agencies for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency as well as tackling the menace of poverty and environmental challenges of the area.

b) Coordinate projects and programmes within the master plan for the rehabilitation, resettlement, reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainable development of the North-East Zone in the field of infrastructure, human and social services, include health and nutrition, education, and water supply, agriculture, wealth creation and employment opportunities, urban and rural development as well as poverty alleviation. The Motion scaled through with four resolutions below:

i) Commend the President C – in – C for his assent to the North-East Development Commission Bill and commitment to the plight of the North-East Region.

ii) Commend the Senate President and the leadership of the Senate and distinguished Senators of the 8th Senate for their support which would see the restoration of normal life in the North-East.

iii) Urge the Federal Government to make adequate financial provisions in the 2018 Budget for the Commission to appropriately take-off.

iv) Urge the Donor Agencies to continue to support the North-East through the established Commission.

Meanwhile, the Upper Legislative Chamber has debated and passed for second reading the following legislation:

1) A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Silame, Sokoto State to provide for full-time courses in technology, applied Sciences Management and other fields of studies and to make provision for the general administration of the Polytechnic and for other related matters, 2017 (S.B. 406), sponsored by Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND to report back in two weeks

2) A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Tax Academy in order to provide for training and develop standard curriculum for continue education of tax administrators and collectors to facilitate effective service delivery and for related matters, 2017 (S.B. 330), sponsored by Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi (Niger North). The Legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, to report back in four weeks.

3) A Bill for an Act to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and for related matters, 2017 (S.B. 315), sponsored by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, to report back in four weeks.

4) A Bill for an Act to amend the Legal Practitioners Act CAP C11 LFN 2004 and for other connected matters, 2017 (S.B. 435), sponsored by Sen. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-East). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to report back in four weeks.

5) A Bill for an Act to amend the National Orientation Agency CAP N100 and for connected matters, 2017 (S.B.333), sponsored by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi West). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, to report back in four weeks.

Nevertheless, the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah came under point of order 43 to draw the attention of the Chamber on matters of personal explanation relating to the latest World Bank Real Business Ranking which ranked Nigeria as 145th Country in the Globe with the ease of doing business. The country moved 24 places up the annual global ranking which the Senate Deputy Leader said is worthy of commendations.

Responding, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session congratulated Nigeria on its latest global ranking; urging both foreign and local investors to invest in the country and take advantage of the conducive atmosphere of the nation.