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…insecurity, Covid, PIB, herders-farmers clash, others may top lawmakers agenda
…as both chambers reconvene today
After a four-week Christmas break, the National Assembly (NASS) resumed legislative business for the first time in the new year on Tuesday.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) in this report highlights some of the burning national issues that may mount the centre stage as both legislative chambers commence plenary.
Definitely, insecurity, herders-farmers clash across Nigeria, the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB and the every four-year ritual of constitution review may top lawmakers agenda.
Insecurity which has become a recurring decimal in the country needs to be adequately tackled as no one is safe in the Nigerian entity.
In the last two months, the social media has been awashed with horrible video clips of Nigerians being slaughtered by alleged Fulani herders.
There’s no longer a safe haven in any part of the Nigerian Federation, even the rich also cry.
The removal of service chiefs after a protracted call to exit them has not changed the situation.
Herders-farmers clash too has joined force with the terrible state of insecurity in the country that has defiled virtually all security operations in Nigeria.
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had all warned of a looming civil war if the situation remains unabated.
Religious bodies across faith also cautioned as Nigerians no longer feel secured in their fatherland.
Despite all these challenges, a second wave of the dreadful Covid-19 is ravaging Nigeria as people still flagrantly disobey the NCDC protocols particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.
The oldest Bill in Nigeria, the PIB is another knotty issue that lawmakers must tackle.
The signals from the arrowheads of both chambers point to fact that the executive bill may sail through this time around.
Without mincing words, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila has even gone ahead to say that by April the Methuselah Bill must walk.
His Senate counterpart, Ahmad Lawan too has promised Nigerians that the bill will no longer die.
The bill which has seen five assemblies and four presidents may still kiss the dust because of discordant voices from the corridor of power.
This time around it’s tagged a government bill and the government that sponsored it is not even sure whether it will eventually touch the bill with a long spoon after it must have been passed by the legislature.
Both chambers held Public hearings on the Bill last month clearly showing the importance attached to the Bill in the ninth Assembly.
The host communities and critical stakeholders called for a speedy passage but not without a fight as lawmakers had run for their lives during the hearing at the House of Representatives barely two weeks ago.
Impatient host communities who are not even sure whether the Bill will see daylight fought over PIB.
Simple logic, fight for the passage first then fight after its passage fight for suitable amendments.
Lawmakers in the PIB Committee are already planning to go and feel the pulse of host communities anytime from this week.
Failure to embrace them will adversely affect its passage.
The every four years constitution review is another legislative issue that requires the attention of the lawmakers.
This Committee attracts N1billion every four years to review the 1999 constitution, it’s shared equally by both chambers and must be e headed by deputy to both leaders of NASS.
The constitution review has been adjudged by experts as another pipeline being used to siphon tax payers money in NASS.
The Chambers have a major role to play in ensuring Nigeria does not shred into many pieces due to the larger than life banditry, terrorism in different zones of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, upon resumption on Tuesday, both Chambers of the NASS observed a minute silence for Hon. Ossy Prestige, representing Aba North/South Constituency and adjourned plenary immediately.
Nigerians wait in earnest expectations for the NASS to address the burning national issues.