The lawmakers of the
upper chamber kicked off legislative activities on Tuesday, after a two-week
break.
The Senate, in the
past week, was characterised by high attendance, early start of plenary and
maximum participation by lawmakers present.
Top of the
legislative activities was the announcement of principal officers, the
constitution of an ad-hoc committee to investigate Elisha Abbo’s assault on a
woman, among others.
Below are some major
events from the Senate last wweek:
Tuesday:
-The Senate
President, Ahmed Lawan, announced the principal officers for the ninth Senate.
Among them were Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi), who was named Senate leader and
Ajayi Borrofice (APC, Ondo) named the Senate deputy leader.
Also, former
Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, was named chief whip and Aliyu Abdullahi
(APC, Niger) the deputy chief whip.
-Mr Lawan also
constituted a committee on Legislative Agenda. This committee is charged with
the responsibility of developing an effective and efficient Senate, in order to
carry out its mandate of legislation, oversight and representation.
The 13-member
committee will be chaired by former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero.
-During a lengthy
deliberation, the lawmakers said ‘VIPs’ are part of security failures at the
airport.
The deliberation was
borne from a motion on the need to strengthen security at the Nigerian airports
presented by Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central) and seven other senators.
Wednesday:
-The Senate set up a
seven-member ad-hoc committee to investigate the assault incident by Elisha
Abbo, a senator representing Adamawa North. Mr Abbo was caught on camera
assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop in Abuja.
The committee was
given two weeks to present its report. Mr Abbo later apologised for his action.
– The Nigerian
Senate has asked the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) to suspend the use of Avastine injections in the country.
The call was made
after the lawmakers deliberated on a motion in a case of 10 patients who went
blind after administration of the injection.
– Mr Lawan announced
a six-member ad-hoc committee on Media and Public Affairs.
The committee will
be chaired by the senator representing Ekiti South, Adedayo Adeyeye. Mr Adeyeye
will serve as the Senate spokesperson pending when the standing committee will
be set up.
– The Senate asked
the federal government to impose a 35% import duty on the importation of soap
noodle.
This, the lawmakers
said, is to save the industry in particular and the nation’s economy in
general.
Thursday:
– The Senate called
for an increase in the budgetary allocation for primary health care (PHC)
services in Nigeria. It also urged the Ministry of Health to create awareness
on the benefits of health and life insurance.
This call followed a
motion on the need for increased funding of primary health care sponsored by
Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central) and 106 other senators.
– The Senate gave
the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) three months to direct Health
Maintenance Organisation (HMOs) to settle all outstanding debt owed all health
care providers in Nigeria.
This was after the
lawmakers deliberated on a motion on “The Urgent Need to Make the NHIS Work for
Nigerians” sponsored by Oloriegbe Ibrahim and eight other senators.
Source: Premiumtimesng
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