News Post

The Red Chamber has deliberated upon and passed a Motion titled “Planned Increase of Data Tariff effective from December 1, 2016 by the National Communications Commission (NCC)”. The Motion moved by Sen. Bala Ibn Na’ Allah sought and secured the leave of the Senate to debate it; coming under point of order 42. He drew the attention of the Upper Legislative Chamber to the subject matter and urged it to halt the action. The Motion was supported by Sen. Dino Melaye and Sen. Sulaiman Hunkuyi, and ultimately sailed through with a single prayer below:

1) The NCC should henceforth reverse its decision on the planned increase of Data Tariff.

The Upper Legislative Chamber on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 also debated and passed for second reading four Bills. The legislation’ general principles were deliberated upon by distinguished Senators before they ultimately scaled through second reading on the floor of the Senate. The legislative proposals that progressed to the next stage include: 

1) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Labour Act CAP L1 LFN 2004 by Removing the provision that Restrict Employment Opportunities for Women and for related matters, 2016, (S.B.299), sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity to report back in four weeks.

2) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Open University of Nigeria Act CAP N63 LFN 2004 and enact the National Open University of Nigeria 2016 to provide for the Repositioning of the Institution towards the advancement of Learning throughout Nigeria  and for other connected purposes 2016 (S.B. 66), sponsored by Sen. Barau Jibrin (Kano North). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND to report back in four weeks.

3) A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs to Regulate and Control the Practice of Entrepreneurship and for related matters 2016 (S.B. 07), sponsored by Sen. Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Matters to report back in four weeks.

4) A Bill for an Act to Make Provision for the Labour Transportation and for other related matters, 2016 (S.B. 25), sponsored by Sen. Babajide Omoworare (Osun East). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity to report back in four weeks.

Meanwhile, Sen. Yele Omogunwa (PDP Ondo South) has decamped from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC). He made the announcement on the floor of the Senate; a decision that was vehemently opposed and contested by the PDP Senators through the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and failed. In response, the PDP Senators staged a walk-out of the Chamber in protest. Consequently, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour Party, Delta Central) assumed the Position of Acting Senate Minority Leader and legislative activities of the day went on without the PDP Senators.