News Post

The Senate in its resolve to fight corruption to a standstill and strengthen transparency and accountability in all the institutions of government and across board in Nigeria has on Thursday, March 1, 2018 received, considered and passed into law the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation and Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 (S.B. 107), sponsored by Sen. Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South).

The passage of the legislation into law followed the presentation of the Report of Senate Committee on Public Accounts by Sen. Mathew Urhoghide before the Chamber for consideration. On receipt of the Bill’s report, the Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole for clause by clause consideration. Clauses 1 – 52, schedule, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the third time and passed.

Similarly, three other Concurrence Bills were equally passed into law by the Red Chamber. The legislation, having originated from the House of Representatives were deliberated upon and scaled through second reading respectively as well as referred to the Committee of the Whole for clause by clause consideration. Afterwards, they were read the third time and passed. 

They include:

1) Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018, (H.B. 1022), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). On receipt of the Bill’s report, the Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 20, schedule, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Ultimately, it was read the third time and passed.

2) Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (H.B. 139), sponsored by Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole on receipt of the Bill’s report. Clauses 1 – 22, schedule, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the third time and passed.

3) National Biotechnology Development Agency (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (H.B. 33), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Chamber equally resolved into the Committee of the Whole on receipt of the Bill’s report and approved clauses 1 – 39, schedules 1, 2, 3, short and long titles, explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill and consequently read the Bill the third time and passed.

Meanwhile, the Senate has debated and passed for second reading two legislation. One of the Bills originated from the House of Representatives while the other from the Red Chamber. The Bills include:

a) A Bill for an Act to repeal Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 1988 and establish the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for the registration of Medical and Dental Surgeons and to provide for the Disciplinary Tribunal for the discipline of members and related matters thereto, 2018 (S.B. 497), sponsored by Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health to report back in four weeks.

b) Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (H.B. 519), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation to report back in four weeks.