NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TODAY

In today’s plenary, the senate considered a very important motion that later metamorphosed into a national debate even though the motion was restricted to Zamfara State. The motion was on:

URGENT NEED TO LOOK INTO THE KILLINGS AND ARSON THAT TOOK PLACE IN SHINKAFI L.G.A OF ZAMFARA STATE

The motion which was supported by all the senators that spoke dwelt on the insecurity situation across the country unchecked. Many expressed their concerns over the rising incidence without any clear cut permanent solution to the crisis while many lives are lost on a daily basis from different parts of the country both reported and unreported.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremmadu suggested a wholistic approach to resolve this national crisis with a review of the constitution carve in State police or Local Govt Police as the case may be. He said without decentralization of our police, we might just continue in this wild goose chase without permanent solution.

Many senators spoke and recounted how insecurity is a national issue that is not just peculiar to Zamfara State alone but the entire Nigeria.

Some said the cases are just too many. Today its Zamfara, yesterday it was Adamawa where more than 50 were killed, the next day its in Benue where many are killed by herdsmen. We cant continue like this was the consensus believe by everyone.

In conclusion, the Senate resolved the following:

i.                    Observe a minute Silence for the dead victims of these horrendous attacks

ii.                  Call on the Federal Govt to evaluate Operation Harbrin Kunama and come up with a clear policy on the protection of its citizens especially those in rural areas

iii.                Call on NEMA to immediately send relief materials to all the affected villages in Shinkafi L.G.A of Zamfara State

iv.                Send a delegation of the Senate to condole with the Government and people of Zamfara State on the incident and also visit the scenes and report to the Senate within two weeks

v.                  Set up Adhoc committee to review security situations in the country in consultation with all security agencies and come up with recommendations  

The second Motion deliberated on today was a motion brought by Dino Melaye on :

CONTROVERSY BETWEEN EFCC AND DSS OVER THE ATTEMPT TO ARRREST FORMER DG OF DSS BY EFCC

This motion almost created an uproar in the Senate as many senators lambasted the security against for lack of synergy between them in handling the security affairs of the nation. Senator Olujimi said it seems no one is incharge of government to harmonise the activities of government.

The Senate after deliberations resolved to:

i.                    Investigate the matter through an Adhoc committee

The Senate also passed the following Bills on First reading:

i.                    NNPC Act CAP N123 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2017

ii.                  NDDC Act 2000 (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Finally, the Senate accepted reports from its committees on:

i.                    Report of the Joint Committees on Finance, Appropriations and National Planning & Economic Affairs 2018-2020 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP)

ii.                  Report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Anti-Smuggling and Dumping of Agriculture Commodities in Nigeria

iii.                Report of the Committee on INEC on Screening of Nominees for Confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners

#JesusIsTheGreatest