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SENATE PASSES INCOME TAX RELIEF, NIGERIA POLICE ACADEMY BILLS INTO LAW

SENATE PASSES INCOME TAX RELIEF, NIGERIA POLICE ACADEMY BILLS INTO LAW


The Senate in an attempt to woo both local and foreign investment into Nigeria has on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 considered and passed into law the “Industrial Development Act (Income Tax Relief) Amendment Bill, 2019 (S.B. 734)”, sponsored by Sen. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti Central). 
The passage of the Bill was as a result of the presentation of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment Report on the legislation before the Chamber for consideration by Sen. Raji-Rasaki. The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where all the clauses, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the Third Time and Passed.

Also, the Red Chamber has considered and passed into law the “Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (S.B.702)”, sponsored by Sen. Tijani Y. Kaura (Zamfara North). Report on the legislation was presented before the Chamber for consideration by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs led by Sen. Kaura.
The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where all the clauses, explanatory memorandum of understanding, short and long titles of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Afterwards, the Bill was read the Third Time and Passed.
In addition, the Senate reconsidered and passed into law the “Nigerian Council for Social Works (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2019. It is one of the legislation President Buhari declined assent to due to some constitutional observations on the following clauses 3, 10, 11, 16(2)18, 21,(3) &(4)and 28.

The Chamber relying on Senate Order 53(6) and 88(b) has rescind its decision on the said clauses and recommit the Bill into the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration. The recommendations on said clauses were approved as recommended and the Bill ultimately passed into law.
Similarly, two very important Motions were deliberated upon and passed by the Upper Legislative Chamber. They include:
a) Urgent need to encourage installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Motor Vehicles, Houses, Dwelling Places, Offices, Workshops and Factories on daily basis, sponsored by Sen. Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West). The Motion scaled through with two resolutions below:
i) Encourage all Nigerians to use and install Carbon Monoxide Detectors (alarms) in their Motor Vehicles, Houses, Dwelling Places, Offices, Workshops and Factories for the preservation of lives from hazardous effect or Carbon Monoxide.
ii) Direct the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Ministries of Information, Labour etc.to create awareness through the radio, television, newspapers and mass media etc. among Nigerians, Workers and Employers on the need to use and install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Motor Vehicles, Houses, Dwelling Places, Offices, Workshops and Factories for the preservation of lives and good health of Nigerians.
b) Bridging the gap between the Haves and Have-nots in Nigeria to nip in the bud the seed of a looming Violent Revolution, sponsored by Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North). The Lawmaker observed with alarm the rapacious daredevilry among young people in Nigeria and the sharp upsurge in violent crimes especially kidnapping, armed robbery and unprovoked attacks on innocent Nigerians. The Motion sailed through with four prayers below:
i) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a State of Emergency on Unemployment in Nigeria, create more pro-poor social safety nets, dedicate 20% of recovered loots to fund same and take other urgent measures to stimulate production and other economic activities to engage young citizens of the country.
ii) Enjoin the Federal Government of Nigeria to increase the budgets to Education beginning from the next budget circle in 2020 and enjoin States to do same.
iii) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to create a policy of establishing more factories in the Local Government Areas to address unemployment.
iv) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish an Unemployment Support Fund to cater for unemployed persons in the country.

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