Two bills were stepped down on the floor of the Senate in today’s plenary just as a bill to establish electoral commission for local governments is introduced
Introduction of a bill to establish electoral commission for LGs
A bill seeking to establish a federal agency for the conduct of local government elections has scaled first reading in the aenate. Titled, “Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024,” it is sponsored by chairman, senate committee on finance, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East). The introduction of the legislative proposal follows a ruling by the Supreme Court which granted full autonomy to local government councils. Last week, the court ordered the federal government to forthwith pay allocations due to local government areas from the federation account directly to the councils, a landmark judgement that grants financial autonomy to the third tier of government.
Senate steps down South South Development Commission bill
The senate has stepped down a bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission. Sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpeyong (APC, Cross River South), it failed to scale second reading after lawmakers unanimously declined to give backing to the proposal. The two northern Senators who contributed to the bill, Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) said the proposed commission was a duplication of the existing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), advising the senate to drop it. The bill was immediately put to a voice vote and the majority took a decision for it to be stepped down.
Senate progresses on marine insurance
The Nigeria insurance industry reform bill seeking to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation and supervision of all manner of insurance businesses in Nigeria has scaled second reading in the senate. Sponsored by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), who doubles as chairman, senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions, decried the low penetration of insurance services in Nigeria, despite being one of the oldest industries in the nation’s financial services sector. He put the penetration rate at 0.5%, ranking 70th globally and 5th in Africa. According to him, when passed, the bill will provide a robust legal and regulatory framework that will ensure that the Insurance sector contributes positively to the principal objective of the financial system trategy to make Nigeria Africa’s financial hub and one of the twenty largest economies in the world. Following support from lawmakers, the draft law was immediately referred to Abiru‘s committee to report back in 2 weeks.
Senate throws out road transport bill
The Senate has thrown out a proposal seeking to establish the national road transport council to regulate the road transport industry and the transport profession in Nigeria. The bill was thrown out because there are already existing federal and state agencies working to keep the roads safe.
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
