The National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives will reconvene proceedings Tuesday with a very strong resolve to approve government plans to jumpstart Nigeria’s economic and growth development, considering the socioeconomic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the citizens of Nigeria especially the lockdown and fall in crude oil prices.
The House also expressed the intention to attend to proposals before it to assist the Federal Government confront the Civid-19 effectively and undertake critical legislative work required to support the Federal Government to effectively tackle the pandemic.
Worried by the negative impact of the Covid-19 on the economy, President Muhammadu Buhari in his last address to the nation had directed the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a “Nigerian economy functioning with Covid-19”.
According to Buhari, these Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate.
The Economic Sustainability Committee, inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday, is to amongst other things develop a clear economic sustainability plan from now till 2023, identify fiscal and monetary measures to enhance oil and non-oil revenues in order to fund the plan, develop a stimulus package and come up with other clear-cut measures to create more jobs while keeping existing ones.
While the National Assembly was on adjournment, the Federal Government through the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed sent revised copies of the 2020 budget cutting down the N10.59 trillion budget already passed to N10.276 trillion as well as a proposal for N500 billion Covid-19 intervention fund to the federal legislature.
As the National Assembly resumes to deliberate on some of these proposals, it has issued stiffer guidelines for proceedings and other legislative activities, to protect the health and safety of the Members and Staff.
The Senate in its resumption notice signed the Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewo insisted that Staff and Senators’ Aides are to work from home and will be notified when needed in
the Office for any special assignment.
The House of Representatives in its guidelines specified that only those ‘properly kitted’ will be allowed into National Assembly Complex, gallery will be closed and only Sergeant at-Arms will open doors while there will be special pass for those entering.
The guidelines said mandatory temperature check will be conducted at the main entrance into the National Assembly by qualified medical personnel and Members and Staff are to fully cooperate on the temperature screening as any one whose temperature is above the acceptable range will be advised to seek proper medical advice.
They demanded Members of the House to notify Clerks before using their offices, there will be three empty seats between sitting members and members would not approach the presiding officer or clerk until absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, only medical staff as approved by the Clerk of the National Assembly and two Electronic Media representatives and two Print Media representatives as approved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and the Director of Information will allowed to enter the House.
Others provision of the guidelines are that: “Staff of the Directorate of Estate and Works as approved by the Clerk of the National Assembly to ensure regular supply of electricity, including uninterrupted switch to generating set as may be necessary. Critical essential staff, apart from the Secretaries, as may be approved by the Clerk of the House of Representatives”, should enter the Complex.
“Members and Staff are required to be transparent about their travel history and if recently returned from places with ongoing transmission in the last 14 days must self-isolate whether they have symptoms or not.
“With the exception of the Federal Fire Service, all officers and men of other paramilitary organization such as Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps, etc are to stay away from the premises till further notice”.
The guidelines mandated the Management of the National Assembly to ensure that all Members and Staff are abreast of these Guidelines and other preparedness action plan put in place to reduce the risk of exposure in the National Assembly
The Management is to: “work towards equipping the National Assembly Clinic to handle COVID-19 related cases in the event of an emergency.
“Ensure the presence of qualified medical staff dedicated to handle COVID-19-related matters and other emergency health issues. All other general medical cases should be referred to hospitals outside the National Assembly till further notice.
“Provide temperature screening at the entrance gates of the National Assembly and entrance into the Chamber of the House of Representatives.
“Provide ‘Special Pass’ for vehicles of staff and any other persons that have been approved to be allowed into the premises to reduce contact with the security men at the entrance of the National Assembly.
“Discourage the sharing of work equipment, tools, computers, phones, and desks. Provide hand sanitizers on each Member’s seat in the Chamber and in their offices as well as strategic locations within the House.
“Ensure that hand washing facilities are functional, and that Members and Staff always have access to water and soap, also ensuring the working environment is kept clean
“A medical doctor should be available at the entrance of the Chamber each day during sitting.
“Enough bins should be placed at strategic locations for disposal of tissue papers. Such bins should be emptied frequently each day. Provide cleaners with the appropriate cleaning agents”.
