Senate Puts Matters of National Interest on the Front Burner

The Senate on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 commenced plenary session with the swearing in of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso having missed the inaugural swearing of distinguished Senators on the inaugural day of the 8th Senate. The Clerk of the Senate administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to the Kano Central Senator.
Thereafter, the Chamber went into a closed door session. Briefing the Hallowed Chamber on the outcome of the session, the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki disclosed that the Upper Legislative Chamber discussed matters of urgent national interest and of special interest to the Senate and resolved that the task before the lawmakers is very enormous if the legislature must effect the necessary changes for quality governance and address the daunting challenge of falling National Revenue.
Senator Saraki noted that the National Assembly must act fast in order to ensure a brighter future for Nigerians; while recalling from his inaugural speech when he pledged to Nigerians that the 8th National Assembly will make historic impact on the lives of the people, he stressed that the time has come to roll out the drum of history, stating that law-makers must be dogged in achieving these demands.
The Senate President asserted that the media has been awash with all sort of stories in the recent past, he urged the media to strive hard to ensure the dissemination of adequate and objective stories to the public. He revealed that the apex legislature will review the national budget for smooth implementation and promised that the legislature will look at the issue of onshore taxes in order to shore up the country’s revenue.
Consequently, the Senate has set up an 18 Man Committee drawn from the three geo-political zones of the country to pursue the Chamber’s target in which the Senate President expressed belief of collectively making the desired change.
Similarly, a Motion on “The States and Unpaid Salaries” sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was deferred to another legislative date. The deferment was sequel to the latest information emanating from the Executive Arm of Government that the issue was at the time being deliberated upon by the President and the 36 State Governors of the Federation.
Also, two new Bills were introduced on the floor of the Senate, they include:
1) Nigerian Railway Corporation (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2015 (S.B.1), sponsored by Sen. Andy Uba (Anambra South)
2) Federal Capital Territory (Administration and Political Structure) Bill 2015 (S.B.2), sponsored by Sen. Philip Aduda (FCT)