N37bn NASS renovation budget, $29.9bn loan, constitution amendment, insecurity await lawmakers’ debate as Senate resumes Tuesday

This is just as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), hate speech and anti-social media bills, among others may be considered and passed by lawmakers.

The Senate had on December, 20, 2019  adjourned till January 28, 2020. The adjournment was to enable the lawmakers proceed on their annual recess.

Before NASS embarked on recess, some issues bothering on national unity,  insecurity, poverty and welfare of Nigerians, as well as critical and controversial bills were left by the Senate, untreated.

Considerably, while about 185 bills

have passed through first reading, 32 other bills have gone second reading in Senate.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan had assured that the National Assembly is committed to working harmoniously with the executive to foster unity and national development.

Lawan pointed out the revert of budget to January-December cycle, and passage of six bills as major achievements the lawmakers recorded before proceeding for recess.

These achievements were sequel to a four-year legislative agenda which both the Upper and lower Chambers rolled out in September and October, 2019 respectively.

The essence of the agenda was to chart a framework to guide and direct lawmakers on the right path of coordinated operations.

Specifically, the Senate itemised in the agenda eradication of unemployment, abject poverty reduction, evolving proactive measures for proper healthcare delivery and infrastructure, as well as constitutional and electoral reforms, as well as putting stop to revenue leakages, among others.

Lawan while holding end of the year briefing with journalists in December, 2019, said the 9th NASS is commited to providing support and guidance for the development agenda of government.

This commitment, he said, was being pursued through quality legislation and prompt consideration of public petitions and requests from the President for confirmation of appointments into important offices.

“In doing these, we placed a premium on internal harmony of the Senate and indeed of the entire National Assembly as an institution, through a bi-partisan approach to legislation. We allow the expression of every view in true parliamentary tradition, but we always try to build consensus on issues, no matter how critical they are.

“Parties and other inclinations may divide us, but we always strive to act as the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an institution established to bolster national unity; and through the experience and maturity of its members provide guidance for good governance.

“This Senate has been very active since its inauguration in June 2019. Our primary responsibility is lawmaking. In this respect, the ninth Senate has been up and doing and its record compares favourably to any other before it in the history of our nation.

“Within the first six months of its inauguration, the ninth Senate has passed Six Bills into law, four of them members’ bills. The first of these bills is the Deep Off-shore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act CAP D3 LFN 2004 (Amendment Bill, 2019,” Lawan stated.

However, as Senate resumes, it is expected that the Senate will without any hesitation approve the $29.9bn loan request by Buhari. Senate President, Lawan had assured that NASS will okay it, knowingly the projects  earmarked for execution with the loan. The loan request by the President was outrightly rejected during the Bukola Saraki led 8th National Assembly.

One major issue for deliberation is the N37 billion budgeted for NASS rehabilitation. A lot of questions were raised on the matter.  Some individuals and civil society organisations said the money is too much for only the renovation. At the moment, the matter is in court to stop the release of the money.

Also, the hate speech and social media Bills are waiting legislative action as Senate will resume. The controversial bills were roundly rejected by majority of Nigerians on the grounds that it will infringe the right of freedom of speech of the citizenry.

While the hate speech bill is sponsored by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), the social media bill is being sponsored by Senator Muhammad Sani Musa (Niger East) respectively.

Although Lawan while commenting on the possibility of passage of the bills, had insisted that only the “views and interest of Nigerians will determine their passage.”

Electoral Reforms Amendment Bill is another the Senate will deliberate. Section 52(2) of the bill seeks to introduce electronic voting which politicians seems to be working against it. The 8th Senate had failed to succeed on the bill and because President Muhammadu Buhari had refused to grant assent to it.

Also, the petroleum industrial bill (PIB) which was introduced in Senate over ten years ago, is yet to be passed. Major seek of the bill is to increase government revenue from oil and strengthen legal and regulatory framework for the country’s

oil industry. The 9th Senate has vowed to break the jinx by ensuring that the bill is passed without any delay.