Anxiety as Senate Resumes Today, Highlights Priorities

By Dipo Olowookere

After its break, the Nigerian Senate is expected to resume plenary on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (today).

Already, many are watching keenly what the upper parliament make a priority as they resume today among several burning national issues.

Yesterday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Sabi Abdullahi, released a statement to highlight the major issues the Senate would be tackling when they resume today.

According to Mr Abdullahi, the Senate will look to prioritize the passage of the three petroleum industry bills that are at Committee stage; social justice bills like the Jungle Justice Bill; employment-related bills like the Occupational Safety Bill and the Existing Vacancies Bill; and work to ensure that Senators present the views of their constituents after the recess meetings and consultations.

“Over the last few weeks, legislators from the 8th Senate have been traveling around their constituencies and meeting with the stakeholders and citizens that they represent. When we resume on Tuesday, Nigerians can be rest assured that the views and voices of all Nigerians will be considered in all the Senate’s activities.

“We have several noteworthy Bills that are at various stages of consideration like the Existing Vacancies in the Federal Civil Service (Prohibition) Bill, which will help to ensure that all federal government civil service employments are properly advertised. We also have the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which will ensure that employees receive adequate legal protections in their places of work.

“Of course, we cannot forget the three Petroleum Industry Governance Bills that have been sent to the relevant committees for work. These three Bills are aimed at providing legal frameworks and other critical aspects of the petroleum industry not captured in the recently passed Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

“We will also consider resolutions on the next actions to take with the flooding that has occurred in several states across the nation. Through our oversight powers, we will continue to work with executives at various levels to ensure that our town planning laws are updated to mitigate against flooding and other man-made disasters.

“We have our work cut-out for us, however, working with and on behalf of all Nigerians, we will achieve all that we have set out to do.”