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Tag: Senate

  • Senate adjoins sitting till Feb. 21 as 2017 Appropriation Bill scales second reading

    Senate adjoins sitting till Feb. 21 as 2017 Appropriation Bill scales second reading

    The Senate at its plenary on Thursday in Abuja, passed the 2017 Appropriation Bill of N7.3 trillion through second reading.

    This followed the consideration of the general principles of the bill, which started on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Senate also adjourned sitting till Feb. 21, to give room for budget defence by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before the relevant committees.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, commended the lawmakers for their robust debate on the bill.

    He urged them to ensure a thorough defence process within the next three weeks to enable the National Assembly pass an implementable budget.

    “ As I commit this appropriation bill to the Appropriations Committee and the sub committees, we should objectively review the planned expenditure.

    “We should also review the revenues in line with the main objectives of the budget we have discussed.

    “This include, pulling us out of economic recession, investing in our people, laying foundation for a diversified sustainable inclusive growth and pushing our agenda for a made in Nigeria products.

    “In doing this, we must take note some of the contributions by our colleagues which I took time to take note.

    “There was great concern to the fact that we passed a law that one percentage of Consolidated Revenue Fund should go to the health sector and to date it has not been implemented.

    “We also talked about the capacity of government to ensure that the borrowings that are promised do come in because without that the capacity to implement the capital project would be an issue.

    The president of the senate also expressed concern about issues of the duplication of expenditure recorded in the 2016 budget.

    He urged the committees to also scrutinise issues of computers, cars and some other items that kept appearing in the budget yearly.

    “The committees should please be very vigilant in these areas to block leakages. The other areas are the issue of independent revenue and to ensure that more money can come into government coffers.

    “The two innovations that we are bringing in, one is a public hearing which is going to take place likely in the week between Feb. 7 and Feb.8.

    “Also the meeting with the leadership and chairman of the committees which is scheduled to take today but I am going to announce a new date for it,’’ he said.

    Saraki further urged the committees to ensure equitable distribution of projects to ensure a sense of belonging by all.

    He called on them to put in their best to ensure that the passage of the bill was smoother than that of 2016.

    He referred the bill to the Committee on Appropriation to report back to the Senate in three weeks.

     

    NAN

  • Bill to boost cassava farming scales second reading in Senate

    A Bill which seeks to encourage cassava farming on Wednesday scaled through second reading at the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

    The proposed legal framework sponsored by Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North) is titled “A Bill for an Act to provide for a legal framework for the cassava inclusion policy of the federal government to encourage cassava farming and for other matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB.152)”

    In her lead debate, Oko who spoke on the importance of the Bill, noted that it was timely, considering the Federal Government’s commitment towards diversifying the economy, using agriculture.

    Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) who spoke in support of the Bill, submitted that it “will create more jobs for youths who are interested in Agriculture.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary, however, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Agriculture to report back in 4 weeks.

  • Senate blasts Buhari for deploying troops, warships to Gambia without approval

    Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s deployment of Nigerian troops, warships to crisis ridden Gambia, the Senate has condemned the president’s decision to go ahead with the deployment without seeking the approval of the senate.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari was appointed as the ECOWAS mediator in the Gambia’s electoral crisis. However, despite the peace talks, Jammeh has refused to step down thus forcing the coalition of African forces to the troubled nation.

    The Nigerian Air Force had on Wednesday sent a contingent of 200 men and air assets, led by Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, to Dakar, Senegal, with the aim of ousting the embattled President from office.

    Reacting to the military action, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, during today’s plenary at the red chambers of the National Assembly, raised a point of order.

    Citing Section 5(4) of the Constitution, he said what the Buhari-led government did was against the law.

    Utazi said, “I am saying this because of the happenings in our friendly country in Gambia. The ECOWAS countries have been discussing on this issue; on how to ensure that democratic crisis of the people of Gambia are protected. But to add that this country will go on a warfare in another country without a recourse to this constitutional provisions is an affront of the 1999 Constitution and it is a breach of the Constitution, and we have failed even when the Senate has been cooperating with the executive.

    “Let it be on record that if anything of this nature happens, that this national assembly have to be informed properly in writing.”

    Section 5(4) states, “(a) the President shall not declare a state of war between the federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session; and (b) except with the prior approval of the senate, no member of the armed forces of the federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”

  • Senate regrets accidental bombing, urges support for Military

    The Senate on Wednesday regretted the bombing of a community in Rann, Borno State by the Nigeria Air Force.

    Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan drew the attention of lawmakers to the incident which occurred yesterday through Order 43 of Senate Rules, saying the operation was mistakenly carried out.

    Though the matter cannot be subjected to debate as is the tradition of motions raised through Order 43, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu explained that it was a mistake.

    “The operation was completely unintended and we hope this mistake will not happen again.”

    “The military should not be dampened by this incident, but should be conscious and careful, while we urged them to continue to do the good work which they have been doing,” he concluded.

    However, 50 persons were reported killed while 120 were injured including some charity organization staff in the accidental bomb incident.

  • Senate withdraws its opposition on closure of Abuja airport

    Senate withdraws its opposition on closure of Abuja airport

    The Senate on Tuesday suspended its opposition to the planned closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for six weeks for repairs of its only runway.

    The closure is scheduled to start on March 8, 2017. While the airport will be reopened after six weeks, the rehabilitation project will last six months.
    While the lawmakers expressed their reservations for the diversion of flights from Abuja to Kaduna, they called on the Federal Government to put all advices into consideration.

    The Senate made its position on the matter known after its plenary on Tuesday.

    The Nigerian Society of Nigeria and the contractor, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Limited were however sharply divided over a total closure of the airport during the rehabilitation work.

    While the NSE called for a segmented repair model to allow landing at takeoff on the runway, Julius Berger stated that it would be dangerous to work on the runway while it is in use.

  • Nigeria not the only country to close international airport – Fashola

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola dazzled the Senate on Tuesday, when he said that the proposed closure of Abuja international Airport was the best decision for Nigeria, adding that other countries across the world had, at one time or the other, closed their airport too, as safety measures.

    Fashola was summoned by the Senate on Thursday, to make contributions on the ongoing debate on the planned closure of the airport.

    According to the Minister, closing the airport for the period of 6 weeks was a good safety measure, as failure to carry out the repair of the runway could pose great danger to the lives of passengers.

    He argued that countries like India, Colombia, Philippines and others had shut down operations of airlines in their international airport in the past, adding that Nigeria would not be the first in that regard.

    On why Kaduna airport was chosen as alternative route for the said period, despite the proximity of Niger airport to Abuja, Fashola said the road network of Abuja – Kaduna route is more motorable than the Abuja – Minna route.

    He, therefore, urged the Senate and Nigerians, to allow the Ministry of Aviation carry out repair on the runway of Abuja international Airport, in the better interest of the masses.

    He also advised that the use of Kaduna airport would be the best alternative, for the period of 6 weeks.

  • Stop Magu from ‘posing’ as EFCC Chairman, Adegboruwa tells court

    Stop Magu from ‘posing’ as EFCC Chairman, Adegboruwa tells court

    A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Ibrahim Magu from parading himself as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    In his new suit filed on Monday, Adegboruwa is also asking the Senate not to entertain any further request for the confirmation of Magu as the EFCC Chairman.

    The defendants in the suit are the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC and Magu.

    In a 39-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adegboruwa, he traced the appointment of Magu back to November 9, 2015, contending that he had been functioning in acting capacity as EFCC Chairman beyond the six months allowed by law.

    Adegboruwa contended in his suit that since the Senate had rejected Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC, he could not thereafter be illegally functioning in acting capacity.

    Citing the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, Adegboruwa argued that the section makes confirmation by the Senate, a condition precedent to the appointment of the EFCC chairman.

    He argued that since the provision of section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act was activated by forwarding the nomination of Magu to the Senate, he could not defy the decision of the Senate, which rejected him for the substantive appointment.

    Adegboruwa stated that notwithstanding the clear decision of the Senate not to confirm Magu, he has continued to parade himself in office as EFCC Chairman.

    He said that an example of such act was when he met with representatives of the United States Embassy on January 6, 2017, clearly defying the decision of the Senate.

    Adegboruwa is therefore, asking the court to restrain the EFCC and all other authorities, from recognising, treating or in any other manner, dealing with Magu as the Chairman of EFCC, either in acting or substantive capacity.

    He also seeks a declaration that given his conduct in office so far, he is not a fit and proper person to function in office as chairman of EFCC.

    Consequently, Adegboruwa is asking the court to give an order forthwith directing Magu to vacate and relinquish his office as EFCC Chairman, whether in acting or substantive capacity.

    The lawyer also wants the court to declare void, all actions taken by the EFCC under the tenure of Magu, especially charges and information preferred in court.
    No date has been fixed for hearing of the new suit.

  • Sirika appears before Senate, insists on 6 weeks closure of Abuja Airport

    Following public outcry against the proposed full closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on Thursday appeared before the Senate to justify his ministry’s proposed action.

    Addressing the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, the Minister said the decision to shut down the airport was a good decision and for the “general interest of the public and all Nigerians.”

    According to Sirika, there was no better time to undertake the repairs on the runway than now, adding that, “if we miss the opportunity now, we may have to wait for the next dry season. ”

    He stressed that the runway was constructed over 30 years ago and no major rehabilitation had been carried out since then.

    “The runway has been in deplorable state for two and a half years now and as we speak, an aircraft carrying over 300 passengers almost crashed on the 8th of January 2017, and it is still grounded in Nigeria till now “, he said.

    The Aviation Minister also explained that, though the repairs on the runway would last for 6 months, the shutting down of airline operations would only last for 6 weeks.

    When asked on the level of preparedness at the Kaduna Airport which is being suggested as alternative airport for the period of 6 weeks, the Minister said the Aviation ministry had sought the collaborations of the Ministry of Agriculture, the DSS, Police, Immigration, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Imams and Pastors, to make operations in Kaduna Airport smooth.

    Though the Minister said the total cost of repairs at the Abuja runway would amount to N5.4bn, he however, was unable to give the estimated cost for the operations of the Kaduna Airport for the period of 6 weeks, when asked by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    As at the time of filing this report, the Honourable Minister was still being questioned by the Distinguished Senators, even as the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi declined comments, saying “a cabinet Minister cannot oppose to the stand of another cabinet Minister.”

  • Senate Leadership: I have rested grievances against Saraki, others – Lawan

    Senator Ahmed Lawan has said his installment on Tuesday as the Senate Leader of the 8th senate has made him rest grievances against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and senate in general.

    Citing Order 43 of Senate Rules on Thursday, Lawan noted that he had been on the opposition in the lower and upper Chambers in the last 16 years, stressing that he had suffered more than any of his colleagues.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to thank APC caucus for having me and I want to say that I am of the APC in the Senate, but the leader of all Senators,” he said.

    “I have Rested all grievances against this 8th Senate, particularly the Senate President so that together we can move this institution forward,” he added.

    He tasked Senators on quality bills that would sail smoothly on the floor of the Senate, adding that he will knock on offices and even going to residences of his colleagues to ensure they do the right things.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki urged the new Senate leader to be committed to his words, while commending the immediate past Leader for his contribution in the last one year.

    Recall that the Senate President on Tuesday announced the removal of Ali Ndume and replaced him with Ahmed Lawan.

  • JUST IN: Buhari sends revised list of Ambassadorial nominees to Senate for approval

    JUST IN: Buhari sends revised list of Ambassadorial nominees to Senate for approval

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has sent a revised list of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for approval.

    This was contained in a letter read by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki to lawmakers during plenary on Thursday.

    Recall that the Upper Legislative Chamber had last year rejected the first version of the list due to some petitions against some nominees.

    Details later…