2018 APPROPRIATION BILL REPORT LAID BEFORE SENATE, TWO HARMONIZED BILLS ADOPTED
The Senate started the day’s sitting with an Executive session that lasted more than two hours. The Closed door session deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general. The session was presided over by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
On resumption of plenary session, the Chamber received the Report of its Committee on Appropriation Led by Sen. Danjuma Goje on the 2018 Appropriation Bill (S.B. 575). The Report was laid before the Chamber for further legislative action by Sen. Goje.
Similarly, the Red Chamber adopted the Conference Committee Report of two legislation. The Harmonized Bill Reports adopted include:
1) Conference Committee Report on the Maritime University of Nigeria, Okerenkoko (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (S.B.295). The Report was presented before the Chamber for consideration by the Senate Committee Chairman on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Sen. Barau Jibrin (Kano North).
2) Conference Committee Report on Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrars (Establishment etc.) Bill, 2018 (S.B. 25) / (H.B. 79). The Report was presented before the Chamber for consideration by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Sen. Foster Ogula (Bayelsa West).
Also, the Upper Legislative Chamber passed into law the Companies and Allied Matters Act CAP C20 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (S.B.355). The Report on the legislation was presented by the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment led by Sen. Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa South-West). The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where all the clauses, short and long titles as well as memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the third time and passed.
Nevertheless, the Senate has deliberated upon and passed two Motions that include:
1) Urgent call for speedy resuscitation of Osara / Ekuku Dams in Kogi Central Senatorial District, sponsored by Sen. Ahmed Salau Ogembe (Kogi Central). The Motion scaled through with a single resolution below:
i) Mandate the Senate Committee on Water Resources to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to make budgetary provision to ensure the completion of the Osara and Ekuku dams.
2) The Need for Nigeria to take proactive measures against the recent outbreak of Ebola Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo, sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central). The Motion was moved via point of order 42 and 52 on matters of urgent national importance. It sailed through with the following resolutions below:
i) Federal Government through the Ministry Interior should firmly secure the nation’s borders to avert the infiltration of infested persons into the country.
ii) Government should intensify screening of persons at the nation’s entry points.
iii) Federal Government should quickly resolve the industrial dispute engaged upon by JOHESU in order to collectively prepare against any health threat.