This Nigerian Senate will this week move a step closer to passing half of its historic and much needed economic reform package as six of the 11 priority economic growth and reform bills are slated for public hearings between December 5 and 8.
The legislation scheduled for public hearing on December 5 includes the National Development Bank of Nigeria Bill which is intended to provide short, medium and long term financing to participating financial institutions for loans to small scale, medium and industrial enterprises in agro allied businesses.
Also, the manufacturing, mining and the National Road Fund Act to fund the rehabilitation and maintenance of the national road system.
Also, public hearing on the Federal Roads Authority Act which is to manage the federal roads network so that it is safe and efficient, with a view toward meeting the socio-economic demands of the country.
There is also the Customs and Excise Reform Act which seeks to reform the administration and management of the Customs Service for greater accountability and revenue generation will hold the same day.
On December 6, Land and Marine Transport Committee will hold public hearing on the National Transport Commission Act.
The legislation establishes a National Transport Commission as an effective, independent and impartial authority in the transport sector.
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The following day, December 7 and 8, the Committee on Upstream Petroleum will hold public hearings on the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIB).
This long awaited legislation will establish a framework for the creation of commercially oriented and profit driven petroleum entities that ensures value addition and the internationalization of the petroleum industry.
Procedurally, legislation is referred to the committee with the appropriate jurisdiction for it to hold public hearing after the bill has passed the first and second reading during the Senate plenary session.
Once the committee submits the public hearing report to the full Senate, the legislation is subject to a third reading, or final passage by members sitting at plenary as a committee of whole.
Commenting on the progress being made on the passage of key bills, the Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the “Senate has been on a steady march to complete passage of the bills which forms our economic growth package before the end of the year.
“We have maintained all along that we would not rest until we did our part to end the recession, spur economic growth and bring relief to the people,” he further stated.
The Senate’s economic strategy was unveiled on September 20 of this year by Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The 11 bills were part of a wider list of recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari.
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