SENATE DELIBERATES ON PETROL PRICE INCREASE; WITHDRAWS FRIVOLOUS PETITION BILL
The plenary session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 started with a closed door that lasted an hour; the session presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu deliberated extensively on the petroleum pump price increase by the Federal Government, Sen. Ekweremadu announced that the Upper Legislative Chamber has resolved as follows:
1) The Senate will engage the Federal Government on the petroleum price increase with a view to resolve the crisis.
2) Call on the Government to engage the organized labour Unions in meaningful dialogue in order not to ground the system.
3) Government should immediately roll out palliative programmes as captured in the 2016 budget.
Meanwhile, the Senate has withdrawn the consideration of Frivolous Petition Bill, sponsored by the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah; this was sequel to the presentation of the legislation for consideration and possible third reading by the Senate Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. David Umaru. The Chamber resolved to suspend further consideration of Bill midway into its consideration for third reading; stating that most of the provisions the Bill intends to address have been taken care of by most laws in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Press laws as well as Ethics of the profession, hence there is no need for the legislation.
Also, the Red Chamber has introduced Six Bills for first reading. They include:
a) Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2016 (H.B. 107), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno South).
b) Capital Expenditure Budget Roll-Over Bill, 2016 (H.B. 164), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno South).
c) Abduction, Wrongful Restraint and confinement Bill, 2016 (S.B. 118), sponsored by Sen. Isah H. Misau (Bauchi Central).
d) Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Act No. 6, 2007 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (S.B.131), sponsored by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North).
e) Pension Reform Act P4 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (S.B. 281), sponsored by Sen. Aliyu M. Wamakko (Sokoto North)
f) National Hospital for Women and Children Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 (S.B.282), sponsored by Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central).