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....

Saraki sues for peaceful elections in Rivers

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, urged the various stakeholders in the Saturday national and state legislative rerun elections in Rivers State to ensure that the poll is free, fair, credible and violence free. 

 In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, Saraki said it is high time the country moved away from turning election into event for blood letting.

Senate passes Bill to increase FCT High Court judges to 75

The Senate on Thursday passed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016, to increase the number of judges in the High Court of the FCT from 37 to 75.

The passage followed a clause by clause consideration of the report of Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the bill.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) and co-sponsored by Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. David Umaru and Sen. Andy Uba (PDP-Anambra South).

National Assembly fails to lay Budget: sets new date

The National Assembly on Thursday, failed to lay the 2016 budget for commencement of consideration and passage as promised but has set a new date for laying the budget document.

The spokesperson of the Senate Sen. Abdulahi Sabi on Wednesday at a joint news conference said that the National Assembly would be unable to pass the budget on March 17 as earlier promised.

Senate to amend Electoral Act, to include card reader, others

The Senate on Thursday, passed for second reading, a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act to include the use of the Card Reader in the electoral process.

While considering the Bill sponsored by Sen. Tijani Kaura (APC Zamfara North) they directed its committee on INEC to conduct a public hearing and report back in four weeks.

The President of the Senate Bukola Saraki directed the committee to go beyond the issue of card reader to also consider all other issues in the Act that would require amendment.

Senate To Partner IAEA On Law To Use Nuclear Energy For Power Generation

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday said that the Senate will work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to enact a comprehensive law that will give Nigeria access to use nuclear energy for the generation of power and other peaceful purposes. 

Saraki, according a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu in Abuja, made this known when the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr. Erepamo Osaisai and his management team led the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ambassador Yukiya Amano, on a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja.

Senate swears in Ohuabunwa, as Saraki wears Aba clothes

The Senate on Wednesday swore in Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia North) as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ohuabunwa who collected his certificate of return on Tuesday from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) won his rerun election on March 5.