#8thSenateAt1: Saraki's full Speech

On the 9th of June 2015 the 8th National Assembly was inaugurated and Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremmadu  swiftly emerged as senate president and deputy while Yakubu Dogara and Yusuf Suleiman Lasu as the speaker and deputy speaker of the house of representative.

As the 8th Assembly marks its first year today, the Chairman of  National Assembly Bukola Saraki in a speech presented to mark the Anniversary congratulated his colleagues and noted the key achievements so far while urging them to do more to serve the nation better.

National Assembly receives Ambassadorial List (FULL LIST)

As the 8th Assembly marks it's one year in office today,  President Muhammadu Buhari's sent a list of names for consideration of the National Assembly for Ambassadorial position,

See the full list of Nigerian Ambassador sent to the Nigerian Senate today.

1. Obinna Chukwuemeka
2. Salisu Umoru
3. Iyang Udoh Iyang
4. okeke Vivian Nwanaku
5. Niman Munir
6. Edem Jane Ada
7. Muhammed Hassan Hassan 

Shikira: Senate Seeks Remedy for Lead poisoning

The Senate on Thursday called on the federal government to urgently treat all cases of Lead poisoning, remediate the environment and promote safer mining programmes for artisanal miners.

This preceded a motion on the urgent Remediation of Lead Poisoning in Shikira Community of Niger State, sponsored by Senator David Umaru in unison by all the senators of the 8th Assembly.

Railways Reform Critical To Economic Revival, Says Saraki

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki,said the reform of the Nation's Railways system is critical to the much needed economic revival in the country even as he reiterated the commitment of the 8th Senate towards the passage of the National Railways Commission Bill before the end of the first session of the 8th Senate.

 In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, Saraki spoke after receiving the report of the Technical Committee on the National Railways Commission Bill from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa in his office.

Senate Approves Intervention for Commercial Agriculture

 Nigeria 8th Senate is poised to ensure the fulfillment of the long-song diversification of the economy to shift from Oil dependency to becoming agricultural and local content oriented.

The senate, today, May 4, passed for second reading a bill for an Act to establish the National Agricultural Credit Fund to promote commercial Agriculture in Nigeria ensure credit support for production, storage and processing of target commodities, market development and Agricultural Enterprise.

BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes 2016 Budget

The Nigeria senate on Wenesday after considering the report of the Conference Committee on the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Frame work (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, (FSP) considered and passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

The lawmakers in the committee of supply critically reviewed  and approved the  11 clause budget in its totality.

Details later....

Senate Extends N144bn FCT Capital Budget Implementation

Senate passed into law on Tuesday an amendment bill, seeking to extend the implementation of N114 billion FCT Budget to March 31, 2016.

We recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had, last week Tuesday, sent the bill to the Senate. Buhari requested that the document be passed to enable him effect the extension of the implementation deadline.

The Red Chamber resolved to heed the request, and gave the bill accelerated hearing. Consequently, the bill was considered for Second and Third readings, and finally passed.

In his remark, the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, directed its Conference Committee to harmonise its figures with the House of Representatives.

Earlier, while presenting the bill for Second Reading, the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, noted that the 2015 FCT Budget was approved on May 28, 2015, allowing only seven months for the implementation.

He said that in order to meet the obligations of the FCT as requested by Buhari, the Senate should give accelerated passage to the request.

Ndume explained that in view of the seven months period, the FCT Budget implementation only stood at 40 percent, hence the need for the extension.

Buhari also pointed out in his letter to the Senate that the late assent of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the document allowed the FCTA only seven months in 2015 for implementation, which he said was not enough to fully implement the Act.

He further explained that the delay in signing the appropriation bill into law, also affected its implementation in respect of capital projects and other expenditures, resulting in numerous payments for critical and essential projects remaining outstanding.

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Saraki To Receive Report On Business Environment In Nigeria

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki will on Monday (February 29th) formally receive the Business Environment Legislative Review Report developed by a team of Legal Advisers to the ENABLE-DFID programme, led by Prof Paul Idornigie (SAN).

A statement from the Office of the Senate President in Abuja stated the report initiated by the Senate President was in fulfilment of the Legislative Agenda of the 8th National Assembly geared towards creating a business friendly environment in the country.

The statement added that: "Following the legislative agenda of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 8th National Assembly, and in consultation with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) and other key private sector stakeholders; the Office of the Senate President initiated a review of the institutional, regulatory and legal instruments currently constraining and impeding business activity in Nigeria. 

"With the technical aid and support of ENABLE-DFID and GEMS 3 programmes, a team of experts conducted a business environment legislative review covering the entire raft of legal structures affecting businesses today. The underlying objective of the review is to provide a framework for the assessment and improvement of legislation and policy affecting businesses in Nigeria"‎, the statement added.

Prof. Paul Idornigie led the team of Legal Advisers that conducted the research of business environment acts and bills and developed the Business Environment Legislative Review Report.

The report is expected to propose priority legislative areas that will provide a solid foundation of evidence to set priorities for new and revised business environment legislation by the National Assembly.

“With the reform of key sectors of the economy, there is a critical need to facilitate an enabling environment for private sector participation. There are Bills pending before the National Assembly that are of priority importance to doing business and overall private sector development in Nigeria, especially in infrastructure delivery”‎, it stated.

Expected at the presentation which will take place at the National Assembly on Monday are the the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; World Bank representatives; the Chairman of the NESG, Mr. Kyari Bukar, the Nigerian Bar Association - Section on Business Law  (NBA-SBL) representatives led by Asue Ighodalo; and private sector and media stakeholders.

Saraki Assures On Sustainable Economic Policies

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said that the 8th Senate will collaborate with the Executive to ensure that the policies and programmes of the present administration aimed at reviving the economy are sustained on a  long term basis.

Saraki according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, stated this  when he received the national executive of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) led by its President, Professor Olugbenga Okunola.

He said the Senate is on a mission to ensure that the country harnesses her non-oil resources and achieve full diversification of the economy.

Saraki said: "For us in the 8th Senate we have said it that our focus is to continue to give support to those sectors of our economy that will provide employment, increase the earnings of government and the growth of the economy in general. 

"And if you are talking about the growth of the economy, you have to give  particular consideration to the mining sector. And what do we need to do to get that done? I want to assure you that the message I will like you to take away is that the 8th Senate is ready to give all the support in ensuring that we truly begin to harness the hitherto the unexplored and neglected potentials that we have. 

"We have been talking about these potentials for a long time. It is time to talk about realising the potentials and translating them to economic power. how to bring. That is our own vision and mission. 

"We have all seen the downside of being a mono-product economy. We are all suffering from it now. When you see what is happening to our revenues, our foreign exchange inflows and particularly what is happening to even the foreign exchange rate due to our over dependence on crude oil. 

"The projections that it is going to be down for a couple of years means that any serious minded country needs to look at the options available. And some of the things we are seeing now is because there is a lot of speculation out there. 

"A lot of the speculators believe that we don't have the political will to see through some of the policies and programmes aimed at diversifying the economy and that is why you see a lot of them are betting against the Naira. That is why you see all of a sudden, the Naira is rebounding because they are beginning to see that it appears that this government is committed on its policy.

"I want to assure you that we are committed. The political will is there. We are very determined to see that we diversify. All these things you are talking about are well known to a lot of us. The frustration has een that we have not been able to see it through. I want to assure you that this Senate is committed to ensure that we support the executive in sustaining these long term polices. This is important and that is where we must start from," he said.

Earlier, Professor Gbenga Okunola, said the Society visited the Senate President to among others appreciate what the 8th Senate has been doing. 

He said: "We have been talking about diversification of the nation's economy over the years....I think as a society, as professionals, this is what we have been clamouring for over the years that we are sitting on buried riches and that the government is now saying that they want to take this serious gladdens us. 

"That is why we are here to appreciate this government for what they are doing and we are ready to offer our professional help - we are not talking in terms of financial reward - but this is one thing we want to offer our country," he said.

The Nigerian Senate Commences 2016 Budget Reports Collation

The Nigerian Senate began the process of passing the 2016 Appropriation Bill today, the Bill which is scheduled for passage in March, as its Committee on Appropriation has commenced the collation of the 2016 Budget reports from the various sub-committees of the Chamber.

The collation was a fulfillment of the earlier promise made by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje.

FG Restricts MDAs from Spending Service Wide Votes Over Abuse

The Federal Government on Thursday disclosed its decision baring Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from spending money for the Service Wide Votes.

The Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun told the Senate Committee on Finance that the restriction became necessary in view of abuse of the vote by MDAs over the years.

N25bn TSA Fraud: FG, not MDAs Should Pay for Transfers – Minister

The Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun on Thursday, said that the company managing the transfer to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) had no business charging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Adeosun who was responding to questions from the Senate Committee on Finance Chaired by Sen.. John Eno, however clarifies that only about N8 billion was actually deducted.

Alleged 23,000 Ghost Workers: FG Goes After Banks to Recover Monies.

The Federal Government had disclosed plans to go after banks to recover all monies paid to the 23,000 ghost workers registered on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

The Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun disclosed while briefing the Senate Committee on Finance that the ministry was still conducting investigations.

FLASH: Funding to be Allocated to National Assembly, NYSC, Military, MDAs and others by Monday

Reports reaching us has it that the current cash melt down suffered by the Federal Government, the military and legislative arms of government is set to be abated from Monday.

At the moment, the severance packages of aides of the 7th National Assembly are yet to be paid, since the expiration of the Assembly in June 2015.

Lack of Funds Hampered our Fight Against B/Haram in 2015 - Military

The Military Chiefs have said that the non-release of the military's Security vote by the Federal Government as captured in the 2015 supplementary budget was working against the efforts of the security agencies tackling Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.

 

The Security Chiefs made the disclosure on Wednesday, at a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Senate and the chairmen of committees relating to security agencies.

Saraki to NLNG: End Gas Flaring

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday challenged the management of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited to put an end to gas flaring in the country.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, Saraki who stated this when the Management of the NLNG, led by its Managing Director, Babs Omotowa visited him in Abuja, said it was high time the gas being flared is converted to something more productive as well as ensure the use of cleaner energy in the country.

Senate Summons AGF Over NDDC Funding‎

Senate on Wednesday summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, to appear before it over the non remittances of some Federal Government agencies' contributions to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This was sequel to the directive from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, when the management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Ecological Fund Office (EFO) appeared before the panel to explain reasons why they were not making their obligation to the NDDC.

Senate Expresses Concern Over N350m Swap Scheme

Senate's legislative scrutiny into the 2016 Budget proposal produced another shocking revelation on Tuesday as some N350 million alleged fraud was discovered in the land swap scheme for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, said that the Committee will not hesitate to ensure that all administrative anomalies, misappropriation of funds or abuse of law by the past administration of the FCT demands  justice‎

He stressed that such an important project is expected to undergo a pilot scheme engaging one or two districts as projects samples.

2016 Budget Defense: Power Minister Defends Tariff Increase ‎

Power minister defends tariff increase, says it will increase power.

‎The Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday in Abuja, defended the increment in tariff saying that it will result to improved power supply. ‎

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He spoke after defending the budget of the ministry before the Senate Committee on Power said that investors would pull out if they could not get returns on their investments.

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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.