Wednesday 27 January 2016

Money Laundering: Buhari Sends Bill to Senate



The Senate on Wednesday received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari seeking to enact Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016.

The President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, while reading the letter said that the proposed bill provides for the repeal of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended in 2012.

Banks, Insurance Companies Owes Housing Contribution for 24 Years – MD


The Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Mr Gimba Kumo has said that commercial banks and insurance companies have defaulted payment of its contribution to housing scheme for 24 years.

He disclosed this while briefing the Senate Committee on Banking and other Financial Institutions.

Women, ‎the Bedrock of Governance - Oduah


Senator  Stella Oduah the Lawmaker representing Anambra Senatorial district and vice chairman committee on Women Affairs ‎ has described women Affairs as the Bedrock of the society.

She stated this on Wenesday, 27th January 2016 at the inaugural meeting of the committee of women Affairs held at the National Assembly complex ‎Abuja.

Tuesday 26 January 2016

‎Tinubu Condemns 2016 Budget Proposal



Senator Oluremi Tinubu ‎( APC Lagos Central) has condemned the 2016 budget proposal of President Muhammadu Buhari  saying it lacks provision for Women development.

The Lawmaker while contributing to the budget consideration stated that the allocations to the Women Affairs Ministry is the least and lacks provision for the welfare and development of women. 

Friday 22 January 2016

$8BN Dividends: Senate Gives NLNG One Week to Provide Evidence of Payment


The Senate on Thursday gave the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) one week to provide evidence of payment of taxes and dividends since the end of the company’s tax holiday in 2009.

This was disclosed  when the NLNG briefed the Senate Committee on Gas and the Senate Committee on Niger Delta on developments in the area.

Senate Condemns Resurgence of Pipeline Vandalism in Niger Delta


The Senate has condemned the resurgence of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

Chairman Senate Committee Petroleum Upstream Senator Tayo Alasoadura while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja called on vandals to desist from the dastardly Act capable of further retrogressing the economy.

2016 Budget: Ekweremmadu, others Warns Against Borrowing


The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday in Abuja, condemned the enormous borrowing plans of the federal goverment as reflected in the 2016 budget proposal while advocating fair distribution of projects.

Ekweremadu made the call while contributing to the debate on the consideration of the general principles of the proposed 2016 budget.

Lawmaker Faults 2016 Budget Proposal, Calls for Withdrawal.


Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe on Wednesday 20th January 2016 during consideration faulted 2016 budget proposal and called on President Muhammaduu Buhari to withdraw it and go back to the drawing board.

The Abia South lawmaker stated that predication of oil benchmark at $38 per barrel when oil prices had fallen below $30 per barel makes the budget not feasible.

Senator Faults Late Submission of 2016 Budget


Chief-Whip of the 8th Senate Olusaola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) has faulted the late submission of 2016 budget and previous budget saying that it gives little time for quality consideration.

Adeyeye while making contributions on the floor of the Senate during the consideration of the Budget proposal, blamed the National Assembly for the failure of previous budgets.
He said that the time within which budgets are considered and passed in Nigeria was too short exemplifying that it took the United States Congress about eight months to pass the budget.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

2016 Budget: Buhari Notifies National Assembly of Corrections


President Muhammadu Buhari has written the National Assembly, notifying the legislative body of the corrected version of the 2016 appropriation bill.

The President of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read Mr. Buhari's letter at the Senate plenary on Tuesday.

 FG Threatens to Scrap NIMASA Over Contract Outsourcing


The Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi has said that the ministry will rather scrap the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency that continue outsourcing its core responsibility.

Amaechi while briefing the Senate Committee on Marine Transport headed by Abubakar Kyari said that NIMASA was set up basically to provide safety.

Thursday 14 January 2016

Missing Budget: Senate Indicts Presidency


"We have received the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on investigations surrounding 2016 Appropriation Bill. Our finding is that Senator Ita Enang, the SSA to the President on NASS Matters printed copies on the 2016 Appropriation Bill and brought to the Senate.

"We have discovered that what he brought is different from the version presented by Mr President. We have resolved to consider only the version presented by Mr President as soon as we receive soft copy of the original document from the Executive.de copies different from the copy laid by Buhari .Saraki said.

Senate President Bukola Saraki disclosed this at the end of the executive session that lasted for over 2hours.

"What he distributed is different from what was presented by Mr. President and we have resolved not to address any version until we receive the version presented by Mr. President. Saraki stated

Aliyu Sabi the senate spokesman reinstated the claims while briefing the press after plenary.

"We are duty bound to consider the budget that has been laid by Mr President, we are waiting for the soft copy of so that we can produce it ourselves he stated.

Efforts to get the spokesperson to comment on the various areas with discrepancies proved abortive as he refused to comment further.

The senate credited this report to findings of senate committee on Ethics privileges and public petitions .



Senate to summon CBN over Devaluation. 


The senate on Thursday, January 13 2016 summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over the continuos devaluation of the Naira.

In a point of order raised by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, over the continuous devaluation of the Naira, he described it as worrisome.

Adding that the purchasing power of Nigerians is gradually  wearing out .

Senate President Bukola Saraki referring the motion to Tuesday, 19th January 2016, stated that the CBN governor will have to appear before the National Assembly to address the issue.

As at Thursday morning, the Naira exchanged at N1 to $305.


2016: Senate pledges transparency



 The Senate on Tuesday at its resumption of plenary has pledged to be more transparent in its dealings while also promising to end unnecessary travels by Senate or its committees.

The President of the Senate Bukola Saraki in an address welcoming the senators from the Christmas and New Year recess said that it was time for the senate to work in the interest of Nigerians.

``Our vision is to substantially enhance the economic wellbeing, liberty and safety of our people.

``It is my earnest hope that the period of recess just concluded has afforded us all more opportunity to reflect on this enormous task ahead as we now enter into the business end of delivering on our agenda.

``Distinguished colleagues, 2016 must be the year of transparency and delivery.

``We must demonstrate to the Nigerian people who put us in office, that we are working in their interest to ensure a progressive and inclusive national development plan.

``The overarching objective of our agenda remains, to work with the Executive arm to find solution to economic stagnation, wastefulness, discrimination, unemployment, insecurity, corruption and impunity.

``Distinguished colleagues, before we proceeded on the end of year recess, we constituted the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitutional Review.

``I would like to urge the committee to consolidate the various items that the 7th Senate had exhaustively considered and passed as key areas to concentrate upon.

``This in my view will ensure that the process isexpedited and the cost reduced significantly in line with our fiscal consolidation objectives.

``In this regards all unnecessary travels and tours should be eliminated,” he said.

``A Senate in slumber cannot meet the aspirations of a restless nation. A Senate sealed from those whom it is accountable to, cannot legitimately ask for their trust.

``2016 must be a year of transparency and delivery,” he said.






Senate Moves To stop FEC from Approving Contracts


The Senate on Wednesday, January 13 2016 moved to stop the Federal Executive Concil (FEC) from approving contracts.

This was disclosed while the senators deliberated on a motion titled: Urgent need to empanel the National Council on Public Procurement of Nigeria.

Ali Ndume, one of the sponsors of the motion and Senate leader strongly spoke against the council said the senate needs to encourage what is right.

"The FEC is not supposed to be an awarding body. This governmnt will welcoome the idea that the senate is encouraging it to do the right thing and seddle with the responsibility to do what the Federal Esecutive Council is doing.

"We have to change the ways things are done so it can be done properly.
Adamu Aliero representing Kebbi central senatorial district who was also in support of what Ndume said the council should instead of awarding contracts, formulate policies that are meant to set direction and focus.Ndume said.

The senate also urged the federal government to urgently and officially set up the National Council of Public Procurement to give life and meaning to the Public Procurement Act.
This is in order to achieve the laudable objectives for which the act came along.

Bukola Saraki, the Senate President who expressed his satisfaction in the motion said the council should be set up immediately.

He also called on the committee to look at the appropriate places for review.

Meanwhile, a bill for an act to amend the agriculturral Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund Act scaled second reading.

The bill seeks to promote commercial agriculture in Nigeria and ensure credit support for production, storage, processing of target commodities, markets ans enterprise development to provide concessionary funding for Agriculture and for other related matters.

Wednesday 13 January 2016

Senate Finally Confirms 2016 Budget Missing 


Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in a motion has confirmed that the budget is indeed missing against denial by the senate leader, Ali Ndume in the early hours of this morning that the budget is safe and intact.

Senate president Bukola Saraki stated that the issue has been reffered to a specific lawmakers to investigate while they await a feedback.

Senate to Commence Consideration of 2016 budget.


The senate will commence consideration of the missing 2016 budget proposal from Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st of January 2016.

President of the senate Bukola Saraki made this announcement at the beginning of plenary today 13th January 2016.

He called on his colleagues to commence indications on when to make contributions on various areas of the budget.

Tuesday 12 January 2016

2016 Budget Safe and Intact - Senate



Following the rumour credited to the leader of the 8th senate Ali Ndume that the 2016 budget is missing from the National Assembly, the senate has refuted such claims.

Senate Decries Outbreak of Lassa Fever



The senate at resumption of plenary on Tuesday, 12th January 2016 decried the outbreak of Lassa Fever in Nigeria.

In a motion moved by Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso of Ogun Central.   Titled: the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever in Nigeria  Co-Spons‎ored by Matthew Urhoghide , T.A Orji, Jonah Jang, Andy Uba and Suleiman Nazif.

They noted that the outbreak of the disease have been observed in about 10 states in Nigeria with 35 death out of 76 suspected cases.
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