TheNewsGuru

Tag: Bills

  • Nigerian Senate celebrates 117 bills feat

    At the resumed sitting of Nigerian Senators for the first time in 2017, the Nigerian lawmakers, lead by Senate President Bukola Saraki, celebrated a total of 117 bills, which, some passed through third, and others passed through second reading in the House within the period of four months in 2016.

    In his speech to address the Senators as they resumed from Recess in the New Year 2017, the Senate President stressed that the four month feat of the Senate is historic.

    “It is already historic that within the last quarter, which incidentally is the second quarter of this session, we all rolled up our sleeves, with sweat on our brows and successfully passed 49 bills through 3rd reading and 68 bills through second reading,” Saraki said.

    TheNewsGuru Senate House correspondence reports that the Senators were seen to be overjoyed by the feat they have pulled in the quarter under review as evident at the Senate House sitting in Abuja today.

    “This is a record-setting feat, which has never been matched in the history of the National Assembly. That within a period of 4 months in the middle of the term of any past National Assembly, 49 bills are passed in a single quarter,” he added.

    Saraki said that 2016 was a very challenging year for the Senate, but said that the efforts of the Senate is compensated by the results achieved.

    The Senate President while reiterating commitment of the Senate of passing only laws that would make a difference in the lives of Nigerians assured that the achievement of 2016 has set a stage for greater and better accomplishment in the New Year 2017.

    “…as long as our economy is still in recession, our work is not done,” Saraki said, stressing that “Because our people are still being laid off; so long as factories are closing shop, for as the hardship in the land continues to bite harder, investment continues to dwindle and the foreign exchange market remains fragmented, I will be demanding even much more from us to get all our economic reform bills passed”.

    “Ideally, we would like to see them pass together with the 2017 budget,” he noted.

    Saraki, therefore, urged all committees involved with priority bills to double efforts to ensure that by the end of the first quarter of the New Year the bills are readied.

    “We promise to pass our priority economic reform bills to help aid our economic recovery. This is a promise we must keep,” the Senate President said.

  • Lagos lawmakers promise more populist bills in 2017, to resume plenary Jan. 3

    Ahead of the 2017 legislative year, Lagos lawmakers have renewed their pledge to enact more people-oriented laws to promote good governance and accelerated development in the state.

    To this end, the assemblymen said they would hit the ground running when they resume plenary on Jan. 3.

    They spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of a party held on Friday at the assembly complex to mark the end of 2016 legislative year.

    In his comment, the State House of Assembly spokesman, Mr Tunde Braimoh, said the House had penciled down many activities for 2017, promising that it would surpass its achievements in 2016 in the new year.

    Braimoh, said the House would keep faith with the subsisting contract with the people of the state.

    In Braimoh’s words:“2017 legislative year will be full of activities. Lagosians should expect better representation and more bills that will make our society a better place to live.

    “We have sworn not to compromise our mandate; so we will for the best help to move Lagos State forward with a robust synergy between the legislative arm and the executive.”

    The lawmaker commended the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, for what he called his exemplary leadership.

    Also speaking, Mr Rotimi Olowo, the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning said:“We are going to pass many bills in 2017, among them is the 2017 Appropriation Bill.

    “At least,five bills will be passed in January and I believe 2017 will be a better year.”

    Olowo reiterating their non-compromising stance in 2017, however, urged residents to be faithful in paying their taxes promptly to help the government deliver on its mandate.

    For Mr Moshood Oshun, the House Committee on Public Account (State) chairman, the outgoing year is a wonderful year with some landmark achievements.

    Oshun said, “2016 is a wonderful year for the House. We have cause to sit down and appreciate God.

    “We will never fail Lagosians. 2017 is going to be a better year for Lagosians.”

    Addressing members of staff earlier, the Speaker commended staff for their commitment to the service of the state.

    Obasa said:“I thank all of you (workers) from the man at the gate to the Acting Clerk/Permanent Secretary of the House for your support, faithfulness and loyalty.

    “Without you this noble House would not have achieved anything. I commend you for doing your duties well and I will continue to appreciate you.

    “I want to call on you to show more commitment to your work so that this institution will move to more enviable heights and this is achievable in the New Year.”

    Obasa said lawmakers were committed to do better in the coming year.

    Highlight of the events includes presentation of awards to some members of staff that excelled in the out-going year.

  • Buhari signs 8 Bills into law

    Buhari signs 8 Bills into law

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to 8 new Bills, the presidency confirmed on Tuesday night to the media.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang stated this while speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    According to Enang, the Bills which had metamorphosed into Laws are:

    *National Judicial Institute Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Advertising Practitioners Registration Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Utilities Charges Commission Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Quality Surveyors Registration Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Agency Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Treaty to Establish African Economic Community Relating to Pan African Parliament (Accession and Jurisdiction) Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *University of Abuja Amendment Bill, 2016;

    *Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Amendment Bill, 2016.”

    Enang said: “These are bills transmitted to the President, having been assented to by the president, the bills have become Acts and Laws enforceable in Nigeria.

    “I used this medium to commend the National Assembly for the industry and dexterity they have shown and the concentration on the core functions of the legislature because compared to times like this in previous parliaments, I think this is the highest number of bills passed by any single parliament within its one year and six months.

    “I commend the leadership of the National Assembly because of the cooperation they have extended to the Executive and the Executive reciprocal cooperation has also enabled them and also provided a very conducive environment for them to function.”