Senate’s Thursday plenary addressed a bridge collapse in Niger state, the finance bill and a vote of confidence on Akpabio.
- Senate calls for repair of collapsed bridge in Niger state
The senate has urged the ministry of works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to, as a matter of urgency, embark on immediate repairs, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Zungeru bridge in Niger state in order to prevent further collapse and loss of lives, and ensure free flow of economic activities and security in the region. This is as it urged the ministry of works and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to conduct structural assessments of the bridge and put in place measures to avert further collapse. These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion on the collapse of the Zungeru bridge, situated along the busy Minna-Zungeru-Tegina road. Sen. Musa who called for urgent repairs to prevent further disruptions and movement of people while presenting the motion, disclosed that the Zungeru bridge, which is a critical federal infrastructure in the country, providing access across the Kaduna River, had collapsed, and due to its deteriorating condition and bad shape, traffic has been diverted to the old bridge, originally designed for railway. He said the old bridge currently served both rail and motor vehicle traffic. He stressed that as a result of this diversion, the old bridge is under severe pressure, posing a significant threat of collapse, which could lead to catastrophic consequences, as over 1,000 vehicles pass through the route on daily basis in order to facilitate movement of people, essential goods and food items.
- Senate advances Abiru’s credit bill
A bill titled “for an act to create the legal framework for factoring assignments and for rules relating to the assignment of receivables in order to create certainty, transparency, ensuring adequate protection for the interests of creditors and debtors in order to promote the availability of capital and credit, and to facilitate domestic and international trade and for related matters,” sponsored by Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos east) has passed second reading. According to him, this new means of financing is referred to as debt factoring which is “a sale of receivables (debt) by one entity (the “seller”) due from another party (the “debtor”) to a third party (related or unrelated) (known as the “factor” or “purchaser”) at a discounted price for immediate cash.” He stressed that the bill presents one of the best opportunities to introduce something new and impactful into the regulatory environment for MSMEs in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Senate pass vote of confidence on Akpabio’s leadership
- Senate pass vote of confidence on Akpabio’s leadership
Senators have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. The confidence vote, which was passed on Thursday during plenary, came barely 24 hours after news report that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took over the National Assembly to prevent a plan to impeach Akpabio.
BILLS CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in Senate plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031.
