Indication emerged on Monday that Senate is set to accelerate consideration of President Jonathan’s $1 billion request to fight insurgency in the North East.
It could be recalled that before the Senate went on recess, Mr. President sought approval of the Senate on $1 billion loan to fight Haram insurgency in the country.
Briefing newsmen ahead of Tuesday’s resumption of the Upper Chamber, Chairman of Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Ita Enag said that the lawmakers will give speedy consideration to Mr. President $1 billon loan request.
He said,” Why the Senate did not reconvene to consider application for N10billion additional budget for security: I was not aware of the request to reconvene. And for the Senate to reconvene, a presentation would have to be made to the Senate President, stating reasons and you are aware that even during the recess, it was like a working recess, all of us were working on our different beats.
“You are also aware that during the vacation, the Senate President had to intervene in the doctors strike and it was the intervention that caused the doctors to suspend strike.
“There was a letter from Mr. President for fund to fund the Police Reform Programme, that is still pending before us. We will also put that forward for consideration by the Senate, as we resume. We are conscious of the fact that elections will hold soon and we are waiting for actions from our brothers and colleagues from the House of Representatives.
On the report of the National Conference, he said: “when it comes from Mr. President, we will address it in the normal legislative process but we cannot speak on the matter which is yet to be seen because we do not know the form, the time and the character it will come. So, we will only speak on it when we have received it. As at today, I am not aware that we have received it.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill, the committee has almost concluded work. There was no draft PIB. A draft bill is what is presented to the Executive Council to consider and sent to us. What was sent to us was a draft bill and we have considered it and it has passed second reading and we have committed it to the committee. The report is ready and that is what will be considered clause-by-clause by committee of the whole,” he said.