SENATE TO PASS SOUTH-SOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILL

Senate Reconsiders South-South Development Commission Bill

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday reopened debate on a bill to establish the South-South Development Commission which was suspended in July.

The bill scaled through second reading during the plenary session.

In a fresh twist, the expression of 'what is good for the goose is good for the gander’ prevailed as the South-South lawmakers made a case for reconsideration of the South-South Development Commission bill.

   Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong-Cross River South

At today's sitting, the majority of lawmakers embraced the merits of the commission asserting that it will be development-based not resource-based like the NDDC.

             Sen. Kawu Sumaila-Kano South

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin and a lawmaker From Kogi State while speaking to the bill suggested that other oil producing states could be included in the NDDC, saying the NDDC name could be changed to accommodate more oil states.

   Sen. Barau Jibrin- Deputy Senate President

However, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, and many senators voted in its favour.

The bill has been referred to the committee on special duties to report back within one week.

     Sen. Godswill Akpabio- Senate  President 

The Senate also passed for the second reading a bill to an Act to Establish Police Service Commission Training Institute that would serve as a centre for the administration and management of the institute and determining the standard of knowledge and skill to be acquired by the personnel of the police service commission on its oversight functions over the Nigerian police.

The Bill was sponsored by senator representing Jigawa East Senatorial district Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madari Ahmad.