Saraki lists Senate’s priorities in next two years

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has listed passage of
both the Petroleum Industry Administration Bill and the Petroleum
Industry Fiscal Policy Bill for the oil sector as part of the
priorities for the 8th Senate when it resumes from annual
recess.

Speaking on the issues the Senate would focus on in the next
22-months, Saraki said the upper chamber of the National Assembly
would focus on developing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit through
appropriate legislation.

It would also look at more bills aimed at repositioning the
nation’s economy to address the rising unemployment rate and
strengthen the country’s democracy through legislative oversight on
government establishments, according to a statement issued on
Sunday by Special Adviser to President of the Senate on Media and
Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

Saraki added that other issues the Senate would focus on
included the need to entrench transparency in governance at all
levels, creating universal health coverage law and strengthening
the institution of the Senate by ensuring that people begin to
understand the role of parliament in the governing of the
nation.

He said, “From Day One, this Senate had its own legislative
agenda. You will see that some of the things we have been doing are
working our way through this agenda in order to cross items off our
list and deliver on our promised change. This has allowed us to
treat more petitions than any other parliament in our nation’s
history, and pass more bills at the mid-term mark.

“This is why, as we return in September, we will be finalising
on our infrastructure and social intervention pieces of
legislation. These are laws that will make it easier for small and
medium enterprises across the nation to do business. We will make
laws that will create ample opportunities for all Nigerians to
realise their potential.

“Additionally, the Host Community component of the Petroleum
Industry Bill, which looks at the ecological debt incurred against
communities where petroleum exploration happens, and the community
participation and security of these communities, will also be on
the front burner of our affairs. This is something Nigerians can
watch out for.

“Similarly, the Industry Administration component of the PIB,
which seeks to open up the industry for investment and growth as
well as create the much-needed expansion of the industry by
allowing new entrants into the operations of the industry, is now
at the committee stage at the Senate. We will work to quickly pass
the bill.”

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has listed passage of
both the Petroleum Industry Administration Bill and the Petroleum
Industry Fiscal Policy Bill for the oil sector as part of the
priorities for the 8th Senate when it resumes from annual
recess.

Speaking on the issues the Senate would focus on in the next
22-months, Saraki said the upper chamber of the National Assembly
would focus on developing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit through
appropriate legislation.

It would also look at more bills aimed at repositioning the
nation’s economy to address the rising unemployment rate and
strengthen the country’s democracy through legislative oversight on
government establishments, according to a statement issued on
Sunday by Special Adviser to President of the Senate on Media and
Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

Saraki added that other issues the Senate would focus on
included the need to entrench transparency in governance at all
levels, creating universal health coverage law and strengthening
the institution of the Senate by ensuring that people begin to
understand the role of parliament in the governing of the
nation.

He said, “From Day One, this Senate had its own legislative
agenda. You will see that some of the things we have been doing are
working our way through this agenda in order to cross items off our
list and deliver on our promised change. This has allowed us to
treat more petitions than any other parliament in our nation’s
history, and pass more bills at the mid-term mark.

“This is why, as we return in September, we will be finalising
on our infrastructure and social intervention pieces of
legislation. These are laws that will make it easier for small and
medium enterprises across the nation to do business. We will make
laws that will create ample opportunities for all Nigerians to
realise their potential.

“Additionally, the Host Community component of the Petroleum
Industry Bill, which looks at the ecological debt incurred against
communities where petroleum exploration happens, and the community
participation and security of these communities, will also be on
the front burner of our affairs. This is something Nigerians can
watch out for.

“Similarly, the Industry Administration component of the PIB,
which seeks to open up the industry for investment and growth as
well as create the much-needed expansion of the industry by
allowing new entrants into the operations of the industry, is now
at the committee stage at the Senate. We will work to quickly pass
the bill.”