News Post

In an attempt to resolve disputes amongst the citizenry without necessarily going to the Court of law, the Upper Legislative Chamber on Thursday, February 1, 2018 considered and passed into law the “Arbitration and Conciliation Act CAP A18 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (S.B.427)”, sponsored by Sen. David Umaru (Niger East).

The passage of the Bill into law was sequel to its presentation before the Chamber for consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. The Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 86, short and long titles, schedules 1,2,3,4 and memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the third time and passed. 

Similarly, two other legislation were passed into law. The Bills that also sailed through third reading include:

“The Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (S.B. 182)”, sponsored by Sen. David Umaru (Niger East). The passage of the Bill into law was as a result of its presentation before the Chamber by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Sen. Umaru for consideration. The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 45, short and long titles as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the legislation were approved as recommended or amended. Afterwards, the Bill was read the third time and passed. 

Also passed into law were the “National Road Funds (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (H.B. 49 & 163)”, sponsored by Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South). The two Bills were consolidated into one having originated from the House of Representatives and are similar. Their passage into law was as a result of the presentation of their report before the Senate by the Senate Committee on Works led by Sen. Gaya for consideration.

Accordingly, the Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where the Bill’s clauses, short and long titles, schedules and memorandum of understanding were approved as recommended or amended. Ultimately, the legislation was read the third time and passed.

Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has debated and passed a Motion titled “Urgent need to support the Centre for Research, Control and Treatment of Lassa Fever Disease in Nigeria”, sponsored by Sen. Clifford A. Ordia (Edo Central) Sen. Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun Central). 

Sen. Ordia noted with sadness the outbreak of Lassa Fever presently ravaging many States of the Federation that include Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi Nasarawa, Imo, Kogi, Bauchi, Anambra, Benue, Federal Capital Territory, Abia, Ekiti and Delta. He disclosed that since the outbreak of the disease on the 5th of January, 2018 when the first case was reported, the geometric rise in suspected cases have risen to 363 as against lesser number of cases recorded in previous years.

Consequently, the Motion scaled through with six resolutions below:

i) Mandate the Senate Committees on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) and Primary Health Care and Communicable Disease to investigate steps taken by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the disease.

ii) Urge the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to urgently provide the Centre all necessary equipment to enable it meet its responsibilities to Nigerians seeking medical care at the Centre.

iii) Urge the Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency to engage in sensitization and education of the Public on the prevention, control and treatment of Lassa fever.

iv) Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly visit the Centre for the on spot assessment with a view to providing relief materials for the victims at the Centre.

v) National Assembly should make provision for intervention funds to fight Lassa fever.

vi) Federal Government should create additional Centres for Disease Research, Control and Treatment in the six geo-political zones of the country.