News Post

Apparently disturbed by the deplorable state of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and deeply concerned with dangers it poses to lives of air travelers as well as the need to safe guard lives and properties of the citizenry which is the primary responsibility of government, the Senate on Thursday, July 12, 2018 deliberated upon and passed two Motions. They include:

1) Need for emergency reconstruction of the Runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, sponsored by Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North).

Sen. Utazi, while leading the debate on the Motion disclosed a personal experience while on board an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Enugu. The Pilot of the Aircraft made a chilling announcement about the state of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and enjoined passengers on board who can get the necessary authorities to listen to help in the immediate resurfacing of the runway to forestall accident as the pot holes and cracks on the runway make take-off and landing a bumpy and frightening experience. 

The Motion scaled through with two resolutions below:

i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Transport and other relevant Authorities to as a matter of emergency, resurface and reconstruct the Runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and also extent the length of the Runway.

ii) Senate Committee on Aviation should investigate the design and construction of the Airport with a view to sanction anybody found wanting if any.

2) Gruesome killing of 40 people of Dogon Yero Village in Sokoto State by Armed Bandits, sponsored by Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North).

Accordingly, the Senate noted with sadness the gruesome and unprecedented killing of innocent and defenseless people (40 estimated ) in Sokoto State by Armed Bandits on Monday morning at Dogon Yero in Gandi District of Raba Local Government of Sokoto State. 

The Motion sailed through with six prayers below:

i) Urge the Federal Government to mandate the Nigerian Air Force and the Police Helicopter Division of the Nigeria Police Force to carry out aerial surveillance of both Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States with a view to identify the locations and hideouts of these bandits and deal with them decisively.

ii) Urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) through the Commissioners of Police in the three States to set up a Special Squad to mop up the whole zone and get rid of the Armed Bandits.

iii) Call for synergy between the Department of State Security (DSS), the Police and the Armed Forces with a view to share intelligence and strategies embarked upon in getting rid of the Armed Bandit.

iv) Observe a minute silence in honour of the departed souls.

v) Request the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send emergency relief materials to the affected communities.

vi) Send a delegation of the Senate to condole with the government and people of Sokoto State over the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has passed for second reading two legislation that include:

a) A Bill for an Act to authorize the issue from the Federal Capital Territory Administration Statutory Revenue Fund of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Account the total sum of N271, 532, 518, 887 (Two Hundred and Seventy One Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty Two Million, Five Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira) Only , of which the sum of N56, 166, 171, 520 (Fifty Six Billion, One Hundred and Sixty Six Million, One Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Naira) only is for Personnel Cost, and the sum of N61, 134, 045, 738 (Six One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Four Million, Forty Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Eight Naira) only is for Overhead Cost whilst the balance of N154, 232, 301, 630 (One Hundred and Fifty Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty Two Million, Three Hundred and One Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Naira) only is for Capital Projects for the service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the Financial Year commencing from 1st  January and ending 31st December, 2018 and for other matter, 2018, (S.B. 690), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to report back four weeks.

b) A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru (Establishment, etc.) Bill and for other connected matters, 2018 (S.B. 686), sponsored by Sen. Bala Ibn Na’ Allah (Kebbi South). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back four weeks.