Recalcitrant heads of agencies face arrest as senators debate local government autonomy as well as protection for the girl-child on the floor of the senate during the day’s plenary.
- Senate asks state, local government to comply with supreme court judgement
The senate has asked the state and local governments to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgement, particularly relating to local government accounts and the funds given directly to them.
This is as it promised to ensure alterations for relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to provide for the full autonomy of the local governments in Nigeria. This followed a motion under orders 41 and 51 of the senate standing rules moved by Sen. Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra north) and co-sponsored by 12 other senators on the alleged move by some state governments to circumvent implementation of the judgement through counter laws from their respective state House of Assembly. Read more on this story here.
Presenting his motion, he alleged that some State Governors are already using their House of Assembly to enact laws that would mandate respective local government councils in their states to remit monies into State/Local Government Joint Account ruled against by the Supreme court.
- Call for state of emergency on protection of girl child
The Senate has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the protection and welfare of the girl child to address the education, health and safety needs of girls across the country.
This is as it encouraged state governments to domesticate and enforce the child rights Act and violence against person (Prohibition) act with a focus on eradicating harmful traditional practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion addressing the plight of the Nigerian girl-child: The need for urgent intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria to save the future of our girls sponsored by Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT).
Presenting her motion, Ireti expressed concern over the increased rate of gender-based violence which includes rape, child trafficking, and physical abuse, with numerous incidents reported in all six geopolitical zones, often with minimal legal recourse or protection for the victims, leaving girls vulnerable, stigmatised, and unsupported.
- Senate to issue warrant of arrest to MDA over non-compliance
Sen. Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South) has disclosed that he will be issuing a warrant of arrest to compel erring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) officers to appear before the Senate committee on Ethics. Privileges and Public Petitions.
Sen. Imasuen, who came under Order 42, made this call, lamenting that on several occasions, the MDAs failed to appear before the Committee despite several attempts to summon its officials to attend meetings.
According to him, this will address the consistent refusal of the MDAs in ensuring their presence to attend to petitions laid before the Senate.
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.
