Senate swears in Abe, Sekibo, Ideozu; adjourns till Jan. 10

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, said that the Senate passed 18 bills between September and December and also passed 64 bills through second reading within the period under review.
Saraki made this known while giving his end of session remarks at plenary.
He commended the lawmakers for doing so much within a short period , adding that their commitment to the entrenchment of democracy would go down in history of the country.
According to him, the number of bills passed within a short period, this year, is more than the number passed between May 2015 and Sept. 2016.
“It has been a productive session and I am proud of the work we have been able to do.
“We discussed the economic recession and went ahead to agree to address some of our 11 economic bills at this shortest period.
“All these bills have gone through second reading and they have gone for public hearing and are all about to be laid in a short period.
“Also, the entire May 2015 to September, 2016 we only passed 14 bills.
“In one and half years, what we did in this three months surpassed what we have done in a year and half and concurrence with the House of Representatives, we did about 34.
“This is truly very commendable and it won’t have been done without the support of everybody,” he said.
Saraki assured that the Senate would not rest on its oars in ensuring that the country got out of recession.
He added that the Senate would make the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill a priority upon resumption in January.
The Senate president thanked all committee members for their commitment to oversight functions, adding that their role had improved governance greatly in the country.
“ I commend your courage. I commend what you have been able to stand for and I am truly proud to be part of this Senate.’’
Meanwhile, the senate swore in three lawmakers, who won the legislative re-run election in Rivers.
They are: Sen. George Sekibo (PDP-Rivers East), Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-South East) and Sen. Osinachukwu Ideozu (PDP-Rivers West).
Saraki congratulated the new lawmakers ‘’for making it through the election.’’
The Senate, thereafter, adjourned till January 10, 2017.