SENATE PRESIDENT READS EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION FROM PRESIDENT

The President of the Senate, on Tuesday, read five Executive Communications from President Muhammadu Buhari, asking the Senate to pass the following Bills:

1. The Raw Materials Research and Development Council(Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill;
2. The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency Bill;
3. The Chartered Institute of Treasury Management Establishment Bill;
4. The Federal Institute for Industrial Research Bill; and
5. The Federal University of Wukari, Taraba State.

UPDATE: SENATE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES UPDATE TO #BUDGET 2018 SCHEDULE

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just announced an update to the 2018 Budget schedule.

The President of the Senate said that Tuesday November 28th and Wednesday, November 29th will be for the main budget debate, while Thursday, November 30th will be specifically dedicated to the debate on the revenue of enterprises and agencies of the Federal Government.

“The reason for this is that we have to pass the MTEF, which will be laid by tomorrow,” the President of the Senate said, “However, It will be passed this week.”

The President of the Senate also explained why Thursday next week will be dedicated to the expenditures of agencies and enterprises.

“Distinguished Colleagues, as you will remember, when we were conducting the exercise on the revenues of MDAs earlier this year, we recognized the importance of proper oversight of the revenues of these enterprises,” he said, “We think that in order to give this the attention and focus that it deserves, we will set a date to debate the revenues of these agencies and enterprises.”

UPDATE: Senate President Reiterates Senate’s Resolve to See Launch of HYPPADEC

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, reiterated the Senate’s resolve the see the launch of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

Speaking after the Senate’s passage of a Motion on the funds that have been accruing to HYPPADEC, the Senate President stated that:

“We must must definitely ensure that we see to the the take-off of HYPPADEC, in line with its establishment Act, in order to ensure that all MDAs comply with the Act and ensure that they meet up to their commitments.

“The Ministry of Power and the regulatory bodies must urgently review the account of all the funds that are due to HYPPADEC and ensure that they're in the appropriate account.

“Once again, we are committed in this Senate to see to the take-off of this Commission and that all their funds are duly remitted to them to ensure their smooth operation,” he said.

The Motion, raised by Senator David Umaru (Niger East), emphasized that around N150 million in funds, which was earmarked for the take-off of HYPPADEC, is now reportedly in the custody of various government agencies. The Motion also noted that N18million of these funds have been released to the Ministry of Power.