Hopes of passing the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget, new National Minimum Wage and other economic bills suffered serious setback as the National Assembly on Sunday announced the postponement of its resumption earlier billed for Tuesday, February 19.
The apex legislative chamber will now resume on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
BusinessDay gathered that the shift in the resumption of plenary was not unconnected with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by one week.
About 60 serving senators are seeking re-election.
Mohammed Sani-Omolori, Clerk to the National Assembly, who confirmed the postponement on Sunday, said the development became necessary following postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly election rescheduled for Saturday.
“This is to inform all distinguished senators and honourable members that resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 has been postponed to Tuesday, February 26 due to the postponement of the national elections,” Sani-Omolori said in a statement.
“All distinguished senators and honourable members are expected to resume plenary session by 10 a.m. on February 26 please,” he said.
While the House of Representatives approved N30,000 new minimum wage as against N27,000 contained in the bill sent to it by the Federal Government, the Senate is yet do so, having referred it to relevant committees for further legislative action.
However, in line with parliamentary rules, the lower legislative chamber is expected to forward its passed version to the upper legislative chamber for adoption.
Also, the House of Representatives has concluded second reading on the 2019 Appropriation Bill while the Senate is yet to do so.
BusinessDay gathered that other economic bills awaiting approval from both chambers of the National Assembly include Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill, Petroleum Industry Administration Bill, Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill, among others.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
