…as NASS flags-off 3-day public hearing on 2017 budget
No fewer than 18 harmonised bills passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Presidency for assent have been signed into law.
Some of the bills signed into law include: University of Abuja Act (Amendment) 2016; High Court of Federal Capital Territory Act, 2016; National Judicial Institute Act, 2016; Advertising Practitioners Registration (amendment) Act 2016; Utilities Charges Commission (amendment) Act 2016; Quantity surveyors registration (amendment) Act 2016; Produce Enforcement of Export Standards (amendment) Act 2016; Advertising Practitioners Registration Act, 2016; Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (amendment) Act, 2016; Bee Import Control and Management (amendment) Act 2016 and Water Resources Amendment Act 2016.
Others include the Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Agency (amendment) Act 2016; Treaty to establish African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament (accession and jurisdiction) (amendment) Act 2016; Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (amendment) Act 2016; Prevention of Crime Amendment Act 2016; National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration) amendment Act 2016; Telecommunications and Postal Offences (amendment) Act 2016 and National Agricultural Land Development Authority (amendment) Act 2016.
Others include the Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Agency (amendment) Act 2016; Treaty to establish African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament (accession and jurisdiction) (amendment) Act 2016; Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (amendment) Act 2016; Prevention of Crime Amendment Act 2016; National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration) amendment Act 2016; Telecommunications and Postal Offences (amendment) Act 2016 and National Agricultural Land Development Authority (amendment) Act 2016.
Abdulrasak Namdas, chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity who disclosed this in Abuja, while giving update on the legislative activities for the week, unveiled National Assembly flag-off the 3-day National Budget public hearing as from Monday, 13th February to 15th February, 2017.
Some of the 59 organisations and stakeholders expected at the all-inclusive public hearing are: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ministers of Federal Ministry of Budget & Planning, Finance, among others.
“The House of Representatives has been working, out of the 18 bills signed by Mr. President which were presented to the President by the National Assembly, 17 came from the House of Representatives while one is from the Senate.
“You have also 10 bills awaiting assent of the President and eight of these bills are from the House while two are from the Senate. The National Assembly is working and the President is working,” the House spokesman said.
While responding to question on the inability of several standing Committees to carry out the 2016 budget appraisal and 2017 budget defense, Namdas who affirmed this, however assured that the House will resume plenary session at the expiration of the three weeks.
Our Correspondent observed that activities of major standing Committees in the House of Representatives were at lowest ebb throughout the week following the paucity of fund to carry out their engagements with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
While reacting to trending issues over the controversy on alleged merger of Nigeria Peace Corps bill and proposed Unity& Peace Corps bill, the House spokesman, disclosed that the Unity and Peace Corps bill which was before the Senate was stood down.
“The Nigerian Peace Corps bill was introduced by Hon. Abdullahi Farouk and this bill is entitled a bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps to empower develop and provide for employment for the youths, nation building and other related matters.
“A bill passed in the House of Representatives alone cannot be a law or in the senate, so a Conference Committee from the Senate and House was put in place on the 8th of December, 2016, this Conference Committee has identified about 12 clauses that differ and they sit down to harmonise the clauses.
“But one thing I want to clarify, in the House we don’t have any bill known as National Unity and Peace Corps, so I want to say we don’t have anything as national unity peace corps or said to be harmonized.
“However, there is a clause that provided that people of great interest, common interest should be accommodated, we will like to quote that particular clause; that any group or association that have similar objectives and have shown or are interested shall be absolved as members of the Nigerian peace corps subject to be mandatory limited training structure and teaching programme as prescribed from time to time upon the commencement of this Act. So the National Assembly did not merge any organisation with the peace corps,” Namdas said.
