The Senate on Wednesday announced the constitution of 65 Standing Committees, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairing 41 committees and the Peoples Democratic Party heading 24.
Senate President Bukola Saraki announced the constitution of the committees during plenary on Wednesday.
He said that members of other committees would be announced at a later date.
The Senate had earlier constituted four standing committees, which were already in operation before announcing the additional 61 committees.
The committees and their chairmen include; Rules and Business with Babajide Omoworare (APC) as chairman and Ali Ndume(APC) as vice; Services Committee Chaired by Ibrahim Gobir (APC) with Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC) as vice.
Ethics and Privileges committee is headed by Samuel Anyanwu (PDP), and Bala Ibn Na’allah (APC) as vice chairman, while Andy Uba (PDP) heads Committee on Public Accounts with Gbolahan Dada deputising.
National Security and Intelligence is to be headed by Shaaba Lafiagi (APC) and Jonah Jang (PDP) as vice chairman.
The chairmanship of the standing committees are Defence – Ahmad Lawan, Agriculture – Abdulahi Adamu; Airforce – Duro Samuel; Army – George Akume and Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes – Godfrey Utazi.
Others are Appropriation – Danjuma Goje; Aviation – Hope Uzodima; Banking, Insurance and other Institutions – Rafiu Ibrahim; Capital Market – Isiaka Adeleke while Gilbert Nnaji heads Communication committee.
The Committee on Upstream Petroleum is headed by Sen. Donald Alaosaodura; Water Resources – Mohammed Shittu; Women Affairs – Oluremi Tinubu; Works – Kabiru Gaya and Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare – Ali Wakili.
Sen. Adamu Aliero heads Customs, Excise and Tariff; Drugs and Narcotics – Joshua Lidani; Downstream Petroleum – Uche Ekwenife; Education – Aliyu Wamako and Employment, Labour and Productivity will be chaired by Suleiman Nazif.
Sen. Dino Melaye is to head the Commmittee on Federal Capital Territory; Finance — John Enoh; Foreign Affairs – Munsurat Sunmonu; Gas – Bassey Akpan and Health – Lanre Tejousho.
Committee on Housing will be chaired by Barnabas Gemade; ICT and Cybercrime – Buhari Abdulfatai; INEC – Abubakar Kyari and Information and National Orientation will be chaired by Enyinnaya Abaribe.
George Sekibo is to head the Committee on Interior; Industry – Sam Egwu; Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters – David Umaru while Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa heads the Committee on Land Transport.
Local & Foreign Debts committee will be headed by Sen. Shehu Sani; Marine Transport – Ahmed Sani; Media and Public Affairs – Aliyu Abdullahi and Public Procurement – Abdulsalami Ohiare.
Sen. Kabir Marafa is to chair the Committee on National Identity and National Population; National Planning and Economic Affairs – Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Navy – Isa Hamma Misau and Niger Delta will be headed by Peter Nwaboshi.
Police Affairs Committee will be headed by Sen. Abu Ibrahim; Power – James Manager; Primary Health Care Communicable Diseases – Mao Ohuabunwa and Ben Bruce heads the Privatisation Committee.
Sen. Robert Boroffice retained his chairmanship of the Science and Technology Committee; Solid Minerals – Joshua Dariye; Special Duties – Murtala Nyako and Obinna Ogba heads Sports Committee.
States and Local Government Committtee is to be chaired by Abdullahi Gumel; Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND – Binta Garba and Trade and Investment is chaired by Fatimat Rasaki.
Saraki advised the committee chairmen to ensure that they held regular meetings and effectively carry out their oversight functions.
The committees witnessed increased by nine when compared to the 7th Senate which only had 56 committees
The Senate, thereafter, adjourned to Tuesday November 10, as Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal continues on Thursday.
