As the National Assembly resumes plenary today, following the Easter and Sallah break, the Senate is set to prioritise key national issues including the passage of tax reform bills, the resolution of the Rivers political crisis, and strategies to combat the renewed Boko Haram threat in parts of the North East.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, outlining the legislative focus for the coming weeks.
“First on our agenda is the further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024,” Bamidele said, adding that the passage of the bills is crucial to overhauling the country’s tax system and boosting federal revenue.
He also highlighted other pressing matters, such as the constitutional review process and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, as top priorities when lawmakers return to the chambers.
“This will also help governments at all levels to implement projects and deliver the dividends of democracy.
“As we resume, the Senate will work with the Executive to resolve all the lingering socio-political issues across the federation, including the situation in Rivers State.
“The essence is to ensure that all stakeholders come to terms on the need to address the root causes of those issues and ensure proper reconciliation of all key actors in the overriding public interest.
“The recent resurgence of insecurity in different parts of the federation, especially Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Plateau, has caught our attention.
“As the foremost democratic institution that makes laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Federation, the Senate will speed engagement with key actors in the security sector and come up with mechanisms for the effective management of national security.
“We are committed to putting an end to all acts of terrorism across the federation.”
He said the Senate would also screen nominations for appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the National Assembly recess.
“While the Senate is in recess, the Presidency announced a number of appointments, including the management of the South-South Development Commission.
“On this ground, we will be screening nominees of the President for different appointments that require the approval of the Senate,” he said
He added: “The review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is going on steadily. Now that we have resumed, the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jubrin, will speed up the review process to strengthen our federal structure in the interest of all.
“Likewise, the Senate will kick-start the review of the Electoral Act, 2022, for the conduct of a more credible and transparent election.
“Finally, we have bills of strategic national interest that are pending before the Senate on different sectors of the economy.
“There is an urgent need to consider those bills and ensure their passage expeditiously.
“We will also encourage our special and standing committees to put in place public hearings that will allow us to engage with the electorate on various aspects of law-making and give their own inputs.”