TheNewsGuru

Tag: Senate

  • Trouble looms as NNPC boss, Ojulari shuns Senate 4th time

    Trouble looms as NNPC boss, Ojulari shuns Senate 4th time

    Mr Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for the fourth time to respond to the audit query raised against the company.

    Ojulari’s non-appearance on a fourth invitation infuriated all the members of the committee, chaired by Sen. Aliyu Wadada.

    The committee threatened to sanction the GCEO should he refuse to appear before the panel on Wednesday by 3 p.m.

    The committee had earlier sent three invitations to Ojulari to appear before it to explain the N210 trillion unaccounted expenditure, as raised in 2017 to 2023 audit report of the Auditor-General for the Federation against the company.

    However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, when the committee chairman, enquired from the Clerk, Mohammed Abdullahi, if the GCEO was around, he responded that he sent a letter explaining his absence.

    Ojulari, in the letter dated July 22 and read by the committee’s clerk, claimed that the urgent invitation from President Bola Tinubu at about 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday prevented him from honouring the committee’s invitation.

    Members of the committee, in their separate comments, expressed reservations on the genuineness of the reason given by the GCEO.

    One of the committee members, Sen. Victor Umeh, said that even though a presidential call had reduced his anger against the NNPCL boss, he, however, said using Mr President as an excuse for failing to appear before the committee should not be allowed to continue.

    Sen. Joel Thomas Onowakpo, in his own comment, accused Ojulari of not taking the invitation of the committee as a priority.

    “To me, the NNPCL boss thinks that he is bigger than this committee, and we don’t need a soothsayer to tell us that he will never honour our invitation except we invoke our powers to compel him,” he said.

    Also, Sen. Aminu Abbas said the NNPCL boss failed to understand that no GCEO was bigger than the National Assembly.

    “For failing to honour invitations of this committee four different times, he should be ordered to appear before the committee tomorrow (Wednesday) unfailingly,” he said.

  • Senate moves to amend NEXIM act

    Senate moves to amend NEXIM act

    The Senate has passed for second reading a bill to amend the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) Act to allow recapitalisation and better governance structure.

    This followed the presentation of the bill’s general principles on Tuesday by Sen. Abiru Adetokunbo (APC–Lagos) during plenary.

    In his lead debate, Abiru said NEXIM Bank plays a vital role in diversifying Nigeria’s economy, earning foreign exchange, and creating employment opportunities.

    He explained that the amendment aims to ensure the bank fulfils its mandate effectively and competes in the global financial environment.

    Abiru noted the bank needs adequate recapitalisation and placement under a more suitable supervisory framework due to its national development role.

    He said NEXIM was established in 1991 to promote and diversify exports through credit facilities, export guarantees, and risk insurance services.

    He stressed that the bank provides vital financial access to Nigerian exporters, improves market access, and supports regional and global trade.

    Abiru expressed concern that NEXIM has long operated under an outdated legal framework, limiting its capacity to address emerging challenges.

    He said the amendment seeks to increase NEXIM’s share capital, which has remained at N50 billion since 1991.

    “In dollar terms, that’s about $33 million from 1991, which is still its current capital,” he added.

    He compared this with Ghana’s export bank, capitalised at $80 million, and Egypt’s export development bank at $420 million.

    Abiru said it is crucial to strengthen export trade and improve NEXIM’s governance structure to meet present-day demands.

    He added that one key aim of the current administration’s economic plan is to make NEXIM a strategic financial institution.

    Such a move, he said, would support a resilient, export-driven, and globally competitive Nigerian economy.

    He urged fellow lawmakers to support the bill’s progression beyond the second reading stage.

    In his contribution, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC–Ogun) described the bill as technical and long overdue.

    He called for speedy passage, saying the bank is vital to growing the economy and supporting local exporters.

    Following its second reading, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, referred the bill to the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.

    The committee is expected to review the bill and report back to the plenary within four weeks.

  • No court order on Sen. Natasha’s recall – Senate

    No court order on Sen. Natasha’s recall – Senate

    Senate has for the umpteenth time said that there was no subsisting court order mandating it to recall Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.

    Sen. Yemi Adaramodu Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Adaramodu said the clarification became necessary following circulating claims by the suspended senator that she intends to resume at the Senate on Tuesday.

    He said the suspended senator hinged her resolved to resume based on the misinterpretation of recent judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Adaramodu said Senate had, through his office, issued two public statements following the judgment and the subsequent release of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order.

    He said Senate in both statements made it unequivocally clear that the judgment did not contain any positive or mandatory order directing the upper chamber to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan prior to the end of her suspension.

    He said the court rather gave a non-binding advisory urging the senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.

    The chairman of the committee said the court, however, explicitly held that the senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the senator’s misconduct during plenary.

    “Furthermore, the court found Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court and imposed penalties, including a fine of N5 million payable to the Federal Government, and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.

    “Till date, these directives remain uncomplied with.

    “It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist.

    “Senate emphasizes once more, there is no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber,” Adaramodu said.

    “We advice the distinguished senator to refrain from any attempt to storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext, as doing so would not only be premature but also undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process.

    ”The senate, as a law-abiding institution, is committed to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of its proceedings, It will not tolerate the disruption of its proceedings.”

    Adaramodu said Senate would at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending its standing orders, her recall, and communicate same to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    “Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Why we cannot reinstate Natasha now – Senate

    BREAKING: Why we cannot reinstate Natasha now – Senate

    The Nigerian Senate has said that it cannot reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it considers the contents of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgement in the case involving her and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, stated this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

    Recall the Senate had, on March 6, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months amid the sexual harassment allegation she had made against Akpabio.

    The suspension came after a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Neda Imasuen (APC-Edo South).

    As part of the suspension, the senator’s salary and security details were withdrawn, while she was barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.

    She later took the matter to a Federal High Court, Abuja Division, where the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, last week ordered the senate to recall her from suspension.

    The court, however, sanctioned Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt and ordered her to pay N5 million fine.

    Adaramodu, who is the Senate spokesperson, said that the upper legislative chamber had applied for the CTC, stressing that until the document was received and studied, the senate could not take a position on the matter.

    “The Senate had applied for the CTC since Monday. We expect to get the document, and once we get it, we are going to comply with the content of the court order.

    “But first, the senate will sit and consider the contents of the CTC and when we look at the contents, then we shall take a position,’’ he told NAN in the interview.

    Adaramodu noted with concern that some Nigerians were fanning the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter out of their low level of understanding of the workings of the senate.

    He said that those acting in that direction were merely wishing the National Assembly to be a lawless institution.

    “The senate, by law, is empowered to make its rules that guide it. If we don’t have rules guiding us, we will become like barbarians.

    “If there is no rule on seating, it means early in the morning, I can wake up and say I want to sit where the president of the senate is sitting because he is my colleague, and that will turn the whole place into chaos and pandemonium.

    “It was on the strength of the aforesaid that the court recently averred in the case between Natasha and Akpabio that there are rules and that the senate is constitutional empowered to make rules that will guide its activities.

    “It was for this that we have Standing Orders. And enforcing the orders means that anybody that contravenes it, the aggregated whole chamber of the senate can reprimand such a person,’’ he said.

    He also expressed the regret that even when the court ruling had given vent to that, some people were still saying something else.

    “Possibly, what they were expecting was that anybody can disobey; anybody can break any rule and that the senate must not take any stand,’’ he said.

    According to him, if it is established that the senate can reprimand an offending senator and that it is not in their books how many days or hours such senator being reprimanded can be given, then it is at the discretion of the senate to apportion period for the suspension of a member being reprimanded.

    “Whoever that is not a legislator cannot understand how the legislature works,” he said.

    The senator, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, explained that the 180 days suspension handed down to Akpoti-Uduaghan included non-parliamentary days.

    “What the senate rules say is that you should observe, adhere to and fulfill the 180 parliamentary days,’’ he said.

  • Audit report: We didn’t say NNPC stole money, but N210trn must be account for – Senate

    Audit report: We didn’t say NNPC stole money, but N210trn must be account for – Senate

    The Nigerian Senate has clarified that it never accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited of stealing any money, but that the alleged N210 trillion financial infraction in the 2017-2023 audit report must be accounted for by the company.

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Wadada made the clarification on Thursday at the resumed hearing of the committee on the 2017-2023 Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s audit on expenditure of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    Wadada maintained that the position of the committee is that NNPCL did not account for the said fund as raised by the audit report, contrary to media reports that the money had been stolen by the company.

    Recall that the committee had, at an investigative session with management of NNPCL on June 26, directed the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, to appear before it on July 10.

    Ojulari’s appearance, the Senate said, was to enable him to account for the fund and answer other queries raised against NNPCL in the audit report.

    Based on the directive, the committee, at the resumed hearing on Thursday, did not allow NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Dapo Segun, to make any presentation on Ojulari’s behalf.

    The NNPCL GCEO was said to have travelled for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna, Austria.

    The committee, via its chairman, therefore, directed Ojulari to appear before it unfailingly on a date to be communicated to explain the alleged financial infractions and other queries raised against NNPCL.

    Wadada, before making the declaration, clarified that the committee did not have anything against anyone in NNPCL, but was only discharging its constitutional duty of making Nigeria work by investigating how public funds were expended by MDAs.

    “I don’t have anything against anybody in NNPCL, just as other members of the committee, but we are just carrying out our constitutional mandate of ensuring probity and accountability in the spending of public funds.

    “NNPCL, as clearly stated in the audit report of 2017 to 2023, must account for the N210 trillion financial infraction. This committee never said NNPCL stole the money but it is requesting it to account for the fund.

    “The GCEO of NNPCL must appear before this committee to give account and offer explanation on other queries raised,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Ningi earlier accused NNPCL of taking the committee for granted with the recurring absence of its GCEO from important sessions.

    “It is very disturbing and unacceptable for the GCEO of NNPCL to dishonour this committee’s invitation for his appearance again.

    “He has never appeared before this committee since his appointment, which is really disturbing. Invitation for his appearance before the committee was sent to him before the OPEC meeting.

    “As far as we are concerned, he is supposed to use his discretion on where to be here today, which should be before the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He must appear before this committee as directed,” Ningi said

    Also, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole frowned at NNPCL GCEO’s persistent failure to appear before the committee.

    “Nobody is bigger than the country, and anybody who feels so has no business in government.

    “NNPCL GCEO should make good use of the window of invitation for appearance being offered him now before the door is shut against him.

    “The committee is not appealing but ordering him to appear before it which, in his own interest, must be obeyed,” Oshiomhole said.

  • Senate seeks N200m compensation for child killed by NDLEA in Delta

    Senate seeks N200m compensation for child killed by NDLEA in Delta

    The Senate has urged Federal Government to assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to pay compensation for the family of a two-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet fired by NDLEA operatives in Asaba, Delta.

    This followed the presentation of a report by the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conducts and Public Petition at plenary on Thursday by the Chairman, Sen.Neda Imasuen.

    Imasuen in his report said two children of Mr Fidelis Omhonria were shot by the NDLEA, saying that the case was very pathetic.

    He said: “Mr President, we have a two-year-old boy who was inadvertently shot and killed by NDLEA while they were carrying out some operations.

    “The second younger child Eromonsele Omhonria had bullet into his eyes that has rendered that child almost blind.

    “Our investigation indicates that this child will need an extensive surgery to correct the eyes.

    “We did engage NDLEA to show humanness in trying to help the family, at least with the dead child and the child whose eyes is almost going blind.

    “NDLEA, unfortunately, were not cooperating, they told us,that they didn’t have the finances and so they have not offered anything, even to the family for the two year old child that was killed and buried and for the child that is going blind.

    “We had more than three sittings on this and it became clear to us that NDLEA wasn’t going to oblige,they were not going to help us to help this family.

    “Therefore, we recommended that, given the grievances of the incident to the family, NDLEA, should pay the sum of N200 million to family of Fidelis Omhonria as compensation for the death of his two year old son and his younger brother who was shot in the eye that may result in him going blind.”

    Imasuen said from findings of the committee, he believes that the family needs to be protected from such agency and ameliorate the huge loss to the family.

    He thanked the lawmakers for the opportunity to interrogate the matter and to serve the average Nigerians who seek for justice in every sphere of life.

    Contributing, Sen.Garuba Maidoki (APC-Kebbi) said the unjust and unlawful killing of Nigerians by security agencies was unacceptable, saying that he supports the payment of compensation to the family.

    Sen.BensonAgada(PDP-Bayelsa) said the official involved in the act should face the law saying that the compensation should be paid to the family.

    Following overwhelming support on the report by lawmakers,Senate observed a minute silence for the child urged NDLEA to take care of all hospital bills for the multiple surgeries and treatment of the child with bullet wound in his eyes.

    Senate also urged its Committee on legislative Compliance to monitor the entire process, ensure compliance to all resolutions on the matter and report back to plenary in two months.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio  in his remark said information at his disposal was that the NDLEA official responsible for the shooting was facing prosection.

  • Senate investigates operations of ponzi schemes in Nigeria

    Senate investigates operations of ponzi schemes in Nigeria

    Senate has mandated its Committees to conduct a comprehensive investigations and public hearing on the operations of ponzi schemes in Nigeria and report back in four weeks.

    The committees are Capital Market, Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes and ICT and Cybercrime.

    This followed the adoption of a motion on “Investigative hearing into the operations of Ponzi Schemes in Nigeria, with particular reference to the recent Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX) incident” at plenary on Wednesday.

    The motion was sponsored by Sen. Abiru, Adetokunbo (APC-Lagos) and Sen.Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo).

    Adetokunbo, presenting the motion said that the economic well-being and financial security of Nigerian citizens were essential pillars of national stability and growth.

    He said that it was the duty of the government to protect the populace from exploitative, predatory and fraudulent financial practices and schemes that threaten their livelihoods.

    He expressed concerns on rapid proliferation and alarming rise of unregulated and fraudulent investment schemes commonly known as Ponzi or pyramid schemes.

    He listed such as MMM Nigeria in 2016, MBA Forex in 2020 that had repeatedly defrauded millions of Nigerians.

    This, he said was causing severe financial hardship and in some cases driving victims to depression, family breakdowns and even suicide.

    “The recent case of Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX), a digital investment platform which lured millions of Nigerians with the promise of outrageous returns, before suddenly collapse, resulted in investors losing more than N1.3 trillion making it one of the most devastating financial scams in the country’s history.”

    He said that the CBEX incident was not an isolated case, but part of an existing and growing pattern of unregulated and fraudulent schemes leveraging technology and social media to deceive the public.

    According to him, the schemes often employ tactics such as referral commissions, celebrity endorsements and fake testimonials to build credibility and drive recruitment.

    He said that it was worrisome that CBEX operated for an extended period without facing sanctions by either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    He added that not even the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sanctioned the operators of these ponzi schemes.

    Adetokunbo said that the growing sophistication of such fraudulent platforms, combined with high youth unemployment, widespread poverty, low levels of financial literacy and a lack of access to formal investment opportunities” make the Nigerian population increasingly vulnerable to such schemes”.

    According to him, Section 88(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into “any matter to which it has power to make laws.

    He also said that constitutional powers empowered the Senate to investigate failure of regulatory agencies to monitor and prevent the CBEX fraud and to propose necessary legislative or administrative reforms to forestall future occurrences.

    He said lack of coordinated oversight, real-time monitoring and strict enforcement by relevant agencies had created an enabling environment for such schemes to flourish

    He noted that this had eroded public trust in legitimate financial institutions and posed systemic risks to the economy.

    Adetokunbo said there was need for urgent public education to prevent further exploitation of unsuspecting citizens given increasing sophistication of Ponzi scheme operators and its devastating consequences of their actions.

    The motion, which was described as apt and germane, received overwhelming support from lawmakers such as senators Mohammed Monguno(APC-Borno),Adamu Alero (APC-Kebbi) Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) and Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) among others.

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said that the motion concerned all and that stringent measures and punishment should be put in place and meted to perpetrators of the schemes going forward.

    He also placed emphasis on the need to educate citizens to be weary of the ponzi schemes.

  • Senate reacts over court ruling on Senator Natasha

    Senate reacts over court ruling on Senator Natasha

    The Senate on Sunday acknowledged the court judgment on Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying, however, that it had yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    He said that the CTC of the judgment was necessary for a thorough review and informed determination of the next course of action.

    He stated that pending receipt of the CTC, the senate would refrain from taking any step that might prejudice its legal position regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

    “The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that judgment was delivered on July 4th by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the suit instituted by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    “However, the senate is yet to be served with the certified true copy (CTC) of the said judgment.

    “Our legal representatives, who were in attendance at the proceedings, have confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court.

    ” Consequently, we have formally applied for the CTC to enable a thorough review and informed determination of the appropriate legal response, particularly in view of the uncertainty surrounding whether the court made any direct order nullifying the suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    “Since no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgement, none can enforce any perceived order or relief.

    “Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the senate shall refrain from taking any step that may prejudice its legal position,” he said.

    Adaramodu expressed the senate’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, stressing that it would act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon full clarification of the court’s pronouncements.

    While urging the public to remain patient, he assured of senate’s fidelity to due process, as it awaits CTC of the court ruling to determine the next course of action.

  • Constitution Review: We have heard Nigerians very loud and clear – Senate

    Constitution Review: We have heard Nigerians very loud and clear – Senate

    The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution says it has heard Nigerians loud and clear after its public hearings  on the review of the 1999 constitution,and will take appropriate steps on all issues raised.

    Sen. Jubrin Barau, the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, said this while speaking with newsmen  at the  close of the South West Public Hearing held in Ikeja Lagos.

    Barau, who was represented by his Vice Chairman and Senate Leaders, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele, said that the committee would report back to the Senate, which would deliberate on all submissions and propositions.

    According to him, the final draft of the ongoing constitutional amendment would be sent to the state House of Assembly for ratification before the end of 2025.

    When asked about the predominant demands of various groups and individuals in the zone, Barau highlighted issues of state creation, state police, electoral and judicial reforms, devolution of power, resource control, special seats for women, among others.

    Stating that the public hearing should not be considered as a jamboree, the deputy senate president, said that all issues would be given quality attention to redefine governance and move the nation forward.

    He added that the gains of the past constitutional amendments could also be seen with reforms in the electoral system.

    Jibrin assured that  the Senate would continue to give Nigerians the chance to participate in law making and governance.

    Barau said: “The whole essence is to ensure that the constitutionis not changed without the popular consensus of Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that something meaningful will also come out of this just like it has been in the past.

    “We are looking to address lots of issues raised by the youth, the women, the traditional rulers, the professionals, and other stakeholders for good governance and a better Nigeria.

    “We have heard Nigerian very loud and clear, and we are going to Abuja to file our report and conclude this process.

    “Part of our timetable is that before the end of the year, a final notification as a proposal will be sent to the State House of Assembly so that we can round up the process without further delay.”

    Several organisations including youth, students and women groups, made presentations at the public hearing.

    Barau listed focus areas of the public hearing to include constitutional rights and freedom, electoral reforms, federalism and resource control, judicial reform, human rights and socio-justice.

    Others areas are: inclusive governance, security and policing and devolution of powers, institutional reforms, fiscal reforms, fundamental rights and state creation.

  • Senate passes Bitumen Development Commission Bill

    Senate passes Bitumen Development Commission Bill

    The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to establish the Bitumen Development Commission, marking a significant legislative step towards harnessing the country’s vast bitumen resources.

    Its passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, which conducted a review of the bill.

    The report was presented by Sen. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) on behalf of the chairman of the committee.

    The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo).

    The bill aims to create a dedicated regulatory body that will oversee the exploration, exploitation and management of Nigeria’s estimated 42 billion tonnes of bitumen reserves.

    Nigeria has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, after Canada.

    Presenting the report, Plang said the committee held a well-attended public hearing where stakeholders from across the mining and energy sectors unanimously supported the passage of the bill.

    He said the establishment of the Bitumen Development Commission was widely endorsed as a critical step towards diversifying the economy, reducing dependency on crude oil.

    “And enhancing infrastructure development through the domestic production of bitumen for road construction.

    “The bill among others seeks to make Nigeria’s exportable raw materials attractive in international markets through value addition,” he said.

    He added that it would strengthen local manufacturing sector, reduce dependency on import and ensure sustainable economic development through the promotion of local processing of raw materials.

    “Stakeholders agreed that the commission is long overdue considering the strategic importance of bitumen in national development.

    “And the fact that Nigeria continues to import bitumen in spite of having one of the largest reserves globally”.

    He further noted that the commission, once established, would help coordinate investment in bitumen development, standardise production processes, ensure environmental safety, and attract foreign and local investors to the sector.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim for sponsoring the bill and lauded the Committee on Solid Minerals Development for its diligence.

    Akpabio described the bill as a “development-driven initiative” that aligns with the federal government’s efforts to unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

    “This is a landmark development. We must begin to look beyond oil and this Commission will create the framework for Nigeria to finally tap into its bitumen wealth and grow our economy in a sustainable way,” Akpabio said.