SENATE PASSES INTO LAW NATIONAL OIL SPILL COMMISSION
In checking the menace of environmental pollution and degradation caused by Oil spillage both within and outside Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria, the Senate on Thursday, July 19, 2018 considered and passed into law the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (S.B. 557), sponsored by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central).
The passage of the Bill into law was sequel to the presentation of its report by the Senate Committee on Environment led by Sen. Tinubu before the Chamber for consideration. On receipt of the report, the Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where it considered and approved clauses 1 – 13, short and long titles, schedule 1, explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended, thereafter it was read the third time and passed into law.
Similarly, three other legislation were equally passed into law by the Upper Legislative Chamber. The Bills that were ultimately read the third include:
a) Nigeria Postal Service Act CAP N27 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (S.B. 437), sponsored by Sen. Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East).
The Bill was passed into law following the presentation of its report before the Chamber for consideration by the Senate Committee on Communication. The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where all the clauses, short and long titles, schedule and explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended, afterwards, it was read the third time and passed into law.
b) Agency for National Ethics and Values (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (H.B. 519), sponsored by Sen. Suleiman Adokwe (Nasarawa South).
Report on the Bill was presented before the Senate by the Committee on Information and National Orientation for consideration. The Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 44, short and long titles, schedule 1, explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Consequently, the Bill was read the third time and passed.
c) National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation Bill, 2018 (S.B. 74), sponsored by Sen. David Umaru (Niger East).
The passage of the legislation into law followed the presentation of the Bill’s report 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 – 30, short and long titles, schedule 1 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.
Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has acknowledged the receipt of Executive Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari forwarding the nomination of Tunji Lemo and six others for appointment as Chairman and members of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Board. The letter was read on the floor of the Chamber by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. The request has been referred to the Senate Committee on Federal Character to report back on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.
Similarly, the Senate has received the nomination of 13 persons for appointment as Chairman and Commissioners for the Federal Civil Service Commission in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended). Among the Nominees include:
Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa OON – Chairman (Katsina State), Moses Musa Ngbale – Commissioner (Adamawa State), Princess Iyabode Odulate Yusuf – Commissioner (Ogun State), Joe Philip Poroma – Commissioner (Rivers State) and Chief Ejor Michael Chukwuemeka – Commissioner (Anambra State).