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Tag: National Assembly

  • PIGB most politicised bill in National Assembly – Akpatason

    Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Peter Akpatason has stated that the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB is the most politicised bill in the National Assembly.
    PIGB was passed by the 8th National Assembly but President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the bill citing anomalies, particularly the reduction of Powers of the Minister of Petroleum over Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
    Akpatason told journalists in Abuja that the bill which dates back to the 7th Assembly (2011- 2015) has been hampered by vested interests among stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
    According to the lawmaker, the only way the PIGB can scale through without much delay is for the executive and the legislative arms of government to come together and get some experts work out the best draft.
    “PIGB has been the most politicised bill in this Assembly, all the way from the 7th Assembly. PIGB has been the most politicised project, all the way from the Executive and even right here in the National Assembly because of a lot of contending interests all over the place.
    “The multinationals formed its block and interest. In politics we have all our various interests all through. The refining block is another, the marketers is another factor, transporters are another big factor.
    “A lot of people are benefiting from a dysfunctional oil sector and these people are very powerful and highly influenced people. People that can manipulate anything possible in this country. That is why you see that even the draft that comes to the National Assembly, you see elements of political twisting and if you try to correct at the level of Committees these interests will come to play.

  • BREAKING: Ministerial nominees arrive NASS for confirmation

    Some ministerial nominees including Mr. Adamu Adamu, Sunday Dare, George Akume, Ogbonnaya Onu and Olorunnimbe Mamora, have been sighted in the National Assembly complex ready for the screening exercise, scheduled to start today.
    The confirmation of the would-be ministers is the only item on the Senate Order Paper.
    Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday said that the screening and confirmation of the nominees would begin on Wednesday.
    He added that other legislative activities in the chamber would take back seat to ensure the speedy completion of the important assignment.
    The screening and confirmation is according to Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday sent 43 ministerial nominees for confirmation.

  • Senate President, Lawan reveals his salary

    Senate President, Lawan reveals his salary

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan has said that there was nothing like jumbo salary for National Assembly members as being speculated in some quarters.

    Lawan made the disclosure, when members of the Senators’ Forum paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

    While further disregarding the jumbo pay issue, he revealed that his monthly salary as a lawamaker and that of his colleagues was N750,000.

    “What I want to emphasize here is that I never believed that that there is anything called Jombo pay to the national assembly.

    “The National Assembly members both the Senate and the House receive what is their salaries and I receive N750,000 as my salary.

    “But I need to function as a senator , my office needs to be properly funded,” he said.

    He pronised that the national assembly was going to be open to the general public in the conduct of its legislative activities, particularly in the area of funding

    “National Assembly is going to be open to the public , I believe that the national assembly should have everything open , let Nigerians Know, what we are doing.

    “I believe that Nigerians need to understand this, we need to continually engage with Nigerians and I will also argue that we continue to explain to Nigerians, they deserve to know how their resources are being utilised.

    “ I believe that the national assembly needs proper funding because the legislature is so critical in any national development,’’ he said.

    He went further that the ninth senate would be a by-partisan senate that would carter for the unity and progress of the nation.

    “This senate is a by-partisan senate, senators consciously decided to work for us and we take that very seriously, what that means is that we are going to make for progress Nigeria .

    “Because what we have done is to be patriotic and we belong to various political parties, but once we are here Nigeria is our constituency.

    “The Senate is going to be united in the conduct of its oversight. It is a senate that will work for Nigeria. We are going to do everything possible to remain united in a very by–partisan manner and remain focused .

    “Because the challenges against Nigeria is enormous, we need to enhance our of security.

    “We need to make sure the economy works for every one for those at the lowest ladder and those at the top, this is necessary I don’t believe that rancor or hostility will yield any positive result.

    “I have witnessed how rancour undermined national development, I also witnessed a very peaceful and cordial relationship that at the end of the day produce the kind of outcomes that Nigerian desire.

    “ So we are here to follow the part of peace, but we are going to be very seriously and systematically in our over sight .

    “A minister or head of organisation that is expected to function must function,” he said.

    He said the senate was determined to ensure that the Nigeria returns to the January to December budget process .

    “We have to work together and archive what need to archive for Nigerians .

    “We know the challenges and we will work hard to ensure that we get the solution.

    “This senate is determined to ensure for example we pass the budget in three months and we believe this is achievable and doable .

    “All we require is for the executive to provide the appropriation bill in good time may be at the end of September or early week of September.

    “The national assembly will sit to ensure that there is defence of the budget by the MDAs and before we live for Christmas we will ensure that the budget is passed, so that we go back the January to Decemeber budget cycle,’’ he said.

    Ealier, the Chairman of the forum, Sen. Khariat Gwadabe, said the meeting was a unique opportunity for them to interface with the president of the senate.

    She also expressed confidence in Lawan’s capacity to lead the senate, having spent 20 years in the parliament, adding that the forum was ready to support the ninth assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum is made of both serving and former senators numbering about 600.

  • Leadership tussle: Consider Constitution’s supremacy over party supremacy group advice lawmakers

    Faculty Board of Initiatives led by Hon. Eseme Eyibo addressing newsmen in NASS over 9th NASS leadership
    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja
    A group of old and serving members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of Faculty Board of Initiatives on Wednesday adviced federal lawmakers to elect their choice leaders in both chambers of the upcoming assembly on the ground of country’s constitution supremacy rather than political party supremacy.
    The group led by the ‘Dean Faculty’ ,Eseme Eyibo, ex- spokesman and chairman House committee on Public Affairs of the 6th House of Representatives, at a media briefing in Abuja, warned that the legislature should be allowed to choose its leadership.
    Eyibo stressed that the country can be great and democracy evolving, if separation of powers, independence of legislature is allowed, even though parties may associate with their sentiments.
    He argued that party supremacy and loyalty as has been canvassed, cannot be far above constitutional supremacy, which provides how the parties are formed and the independence of the various arms and the legislature .
    Earlier in his address, Eyibo explained that in the current democratic system of government, where the rule of law prevails, it is the legislature as provided by section 4 of the constitution that make laws and as such, a critical arm of government in the tripod.
    The ex- member of the House accompanied by his colleagues, Blessing Alapa, Chris Eta, Ibrahim Buba and a serving member, Chukwuemeka Ujam, argued therefore that if government or the three arms must stand in a tripod arrangement, then the legislature should be allowed to choose its Leadership.
    According to him, in such critical contest, stakeholders must begin a talent hunt to get the best, especially for the positions of Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives.
    He noted that history can vindicate past succession challenges, specifically from the times of Ghali Nabba, Dimeji Bankole, Aminu Tambuwal and the current speaker, Yakubu Dogara where the independence of the Legislature played a role, cautioning that such precedence cannot be jettisoned or allowed not to be the norm.
    His words: “History, from Nabba up to Dogara is very consistent” he added, pointing that the general interest of a particular candidate and the independence of the Legislature have often being uppermost in the heart of the lawmakers in choosing their leaders.
    ” interest of members, separation of powers and independence of legislature are something very consistent “
    The group added that whoever is interested in becoming speaker, or any leadership position in the National Assembly must be acceptable, galvanise interest of members , noting also that all political parties are stakeholder in choosing the principal parties, instead of the whims and caprice of one political party.
    Fielding answers to newsmen, the group said religion does not play a role in the choice of principal officers, provided the candidates are acceptable to their colleagues and they are allowed to choose freely without external influences and entanglements

  • Buhari declines assent to two bills from National Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria Bill.

    The president also declined assent to the Nigerian Aeronautic Research Rescue Bill.

    The communication from the president to the House of Representatives was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, at Tuesday’s plenary session.

    Mr Dogara read: “The president declines assent to the chartered institute of training and development of Nigeria bill.

    “This is because there are concerns that the Institute does not possess the capacity of the requirements that might be imposed on it if the bill is assented to.

    “And some aspects of the bill might run fowl of the stipulated guidelines as they should be,” he said.

    The speaker further read that the president also declined assent to the Nigerian Aeronautic Research Rescue Bill recently passed by the National Assembly.

    “Presidential decision to decline assent to this bill is because of the numerous discrepancies of the bill which makes it not in tandem with international best practices guiding the aviation industry worldwide.

    “Certain sections are just a duplication of the functions of NEMA and other Agencies,” he said.

    The president also wrote the House on the burning need to settle local debts for Delta and Taraba, following approval of disbursements received from the NASS.

    “The National Assembly should also review the reimbursement proposed for Kogi and Bauchi states,” Mr Dogara read.

  • Leadership of ninth N/Assembly must be guided by relevant rules – Ex-Director PLAC

    Executive Director Policy and Legal Advocacy Center PLAC Dr. Clement Nwankwo has said that the choice of who becomes the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the 9th National Assembly is solely the prerogatives of the members of the apex legislature.

    He made the remarks at the opening of a one- day workshop for National Assembly journalists aimed at assessing the role of the media in reporting the 8th session of the National Assembly.

    The media he said has a contiitutional role to report activities of the political office holders, public servants and other grouos in the society and also to hold leaders accountable to the citizenry in their day to day reportage of political developments.

    At the event, the PLAC helsman said that the choice of who becomes what at the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly in early June 2019 is solely dependent on the relevant rules of any of the two chamber of the apex legislature in Nigeria.

    He noted that in all climes, the legislative arm of government sets the agenda and that agenda solely rests with the executive. He added that this particular role which rests squarely on the shoulder of the Attorney-General of the state could easily make or mar the workings of legislature.

    The civil society organization helsman added that the National Assembly has a critical role to play in our journey towards democratization of the political process.

    He added that when the National Assembly fails in this regards, the different arms of government suffers for it tremendously.

  • NASS adjourns plenary over death of serving member

    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja
    The National Assembly on Tuesday adjourned its sitting till 10am tomorrow over the demise of a serving member of the House of Representatives, Olatoye Temitope.

    Recall that the last adjournment was made by the lawmakers to enable them prepare for the 2019 Elections in the country.
    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara during plenary, formally announced the death of a serving member, Olatoye Temitope and a former member, Bethel Amadi after approving the proceedings of the day few minutes after the opening prayer.
    A minute of silence and prayers from both Christian and Muslim faithful were made for the deceased.
    Going by the tradition of the both chambers, majority leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila and Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan at their plenaries moved that adjournment be made till 10am tomorrow (Wednesday). This was approved by all.
    46 years old Temitope who represents Lagelu/ Akinyele federal constituency, Oyo State was shot dead on the 9th of March, 2019 by some suspected political thugs in the State. While Bethel Amadi died of ailment in a London based hospital a week prior to the general elections.
  • Breaking: NASS postpones resumption

    Breaking: NASS postpones resumption

    The National Assembly has announced the postponement of its resumption scheduled for Tuesday Feb. 19 to Tuesday Feb. 26.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    He said the postponement became necessary following postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly election rescheduled for Saturday Feb. 23.

    “This is to inform all distinguished senators and honourable members that resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday Feb. 19 has been postpones to Tuesday, Feb. 26 due to the postponement of the national elections.

    “All distinguished senators and honourable members are expected to resume plenary session by 10 a.m. on Feb. 26 please,” he said.

    The Senate had on Jan. 24, adjourned plenary till Feb. 19, to enable preparations for the Feb. 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The Senate did not consider the 2019 Appropriation Bill before it proceeded on the break.

    It however passed the Minimum Wage Bill through first and second reading.

     

  • Presidency transmits Minimum Wage Bill to National Assembly

    The Presidency on Wednesday evening confirmed the transmission of the National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly for necessary legislative actions.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Recall that the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, had earlier told reporters after the National Executive Council meeting that the bill would be transmitted to the federal parliament before the close of work on Wednesday.

    The legislation was not received before both chambers adjourned plenary on Wednesday afternoon because none of the presiding officers mentioned it.

    The letter, informing the federal lawmakers of the bill’s transmission would be read on the floor of both chambers on Thursday (today).

    There are strong indications that the legislation may not be attended to until after the general elections as the federal lawmakers would proceed on a short vacation on Thursday (today).

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local debts, Senator Shehu Sani on Wednesday said the bill would wait till after the elections.

    He said, “There is no way we could attend to the minimum wage bill as well as the 2019 budget until after the general elections.”

    Meanwhile, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, has lamented that the minimum wage can barely provide basic necessities of life for workers in many parts of the world, noting that one per cent of the world population now controls half of global wealth.

    Wabba made this known on Wednesday in the address he delivered at the 18th Congress of the Italian General Confederation of Labour.

    He addressed the assembly in Italy as the president of the International Trade Union Confederation.

    A copy of the address was made available to one of our correspondents in Abuja by the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah.

    He said, “In my own country, we face poverty, conflict, insecurity and corruption. Many of our people flee the place they were born to seek a better life in Europe, and are all too often turned away at gunpoint, prevented from landing, treated with utter disrespect.

    “Fundamental rights are under attack in many countries. The levers of the global economy are in the wrong hands. The global economic system and current model of globalisation disproportionately benefit capital owners. The consequences for billions of people are poverty, insecurity and the loss of hope and trust. Given paucity of investments to produce a recovery that benefits workers, the workers and their unions are extremely challenged.”

    “Our rights to bargain collectively, the right to strike, even freedom of association are under attack by greedy employers and governments who put profit before people.

    “Inequality is at historic levels and wages are not keeping pace. Some 84 per cent of the world’s people say minimum wage is not enough to live on. More than 70 per cent of the world’s people have little or no social protection. All of these go side by side with the consequences of technology and the further erosion of direct employment and decent work.”

     

  • Workers threatens to shut down National Assembly on Monday

    The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly chapter, has issued a 4-day warning strike notice to commence on Monday, December 17.

    The Chairman of the association, Mr Bature Mohammed, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said this decision was reached in an emergency congress held on December 14.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is due to present the 2019 Appropriation bill to the joint National Assembly on Wednesday, December 19.

    Mohammed said that the warning strike which would run till Dec. 20, was to press home the demands of the association.

    The chairman advised that all members of the association should stay away from their duty posts during the period.

    Members of PASAN had on Dec. 4 shut down operations at the National Assembly when they prevented lawmakers from sitting.

    The grievances of PASAN include a new condition of service for members, promotion and payment of 28 per cent increment in salary captured as contained in the 2018 budget.