Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke
12 January 2013, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The controversial Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB and fuel subsidy probe, among others, will form issues to be deliberated on when the Senate resumes on Tuesday, January 15.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Solomon Ita Enang, told newsmen that other issues that will come up are the 2013 budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, National Minimum Standards Establishment of Institutions Act Bill, 2012, Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill 2012; University of Lagos Act (amendment) Bill 2012 and the Dana Airline crash report.
Others are Federal Universities of “Technology Act“ (amendment) Bill, 2012, Public Procurement Act No. 14 2004 Amendment Bill, 2012, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes, Genocide and Related Offences Bill, 2012, Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund Bill, 2012, National Economic Intelligence Committee Act (Repeal) Bill 2012, FCT Appropriation Bill as well as NDDC 2013 Appropriation.”
On achievements of the Senate during last session, Senator Enang said 163, including 25 executive bills were presented and considered by the Senate.
He, however, said 32 bills scaled second reading and were referred to relevant committees while five were passed, including 2013 Appropriation Bill, National Automotive Council Act (Repeal) and Re-enactment Bill 2012, Terrorism Act (Amendment) Bill 2012, as well as Prisons Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2012.
Enang, who declined comment on insinuations that the Senate was under pressure to kill the Bill, however maintained that it would be considered as soon as the Senate reconvenes, adding, “You will see it in the notice paper when we publish it. A bill sees the light of day when it is listed on the floor of the Senate to be considered.
