Senate passed 24 bills, 27 resolutions in 2010

Posted by admin Headlines, Legislature, Senate Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

THE Senate, on Wednesday, said it passed 24 bills and 27 resolutions during its 2010 calendar year.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Aloysius Etok, who disclosed this at a news conference to mark the end of the year, added that there were many more bills at various stages of consideration.

“This year, we were compelled to legislate and make resolutions on several topical issues of national importance, including the now historic doctrine of necessity, which installed President Goodluck Jonathan in acting capacity.

“The Senate also recorded, for the first time in the history of the Nigerian Senate, the confirmation of the nomination of Alhaji Namadi Sambo as the vice-president of Nigeria on May 18,” he said.

He added that the Senate also mediated between labour and the Federal Government over what could have resulted in industrial action and thereafter accelerated the passage of “the Workmen Compensation Bill.”

Etok said the Senate, in line with government’s seven-point agenda, passed some relevant bills, which included the food reserve agency bill and the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2010, to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“The inclusion of industrial court in the constitution to resolve labour disputes in Nigeria and the Institute of Democratic and Legislative Act (Amendment) Bill 2010, to enhance legislative capacity and democratisation in Nigeria, was also accomplished by the Senate,” he said.

The Senate, which commenced its Christmas and New Year break on Wednesday, was expected to resume sitting on January18.wp_posts