Senate Launches Probe as as Nigeria’s Rail Services Plummet

The Senate has launched an investigation into Nigeria’s railway contracts and project execution following a sharp decline in services across key routes. Lawmakers expressed alarm that major lines such as the Kano–Kaduna corridor now operate just one passenger trip per day, while cargo delays have nearly doubled. During plenary, senators cited persistent bandit attacks, poor maintenance, and aging infrastructure as major setbacks undermining the rail sector’s revival. Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive review of all ongoing and completed rail projects, focusing on their design, funding, execution, and maintenance records. The probe, lawmakers said, seeks to determine why Nigeria’s railway system, once seen as the backbone of national transport, is now struggling to meet basic operational standards.

Senate applauds labour unions for accepting N70,000 minimum wage

Diket Plang, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity (APC/Plateau Central), has praised the organized labour unions for agreeing to the federal government’s proposed minimum wage of N70,000. In a statement to journalists in Jos on Sunday, Plang commended the unions for their patriotism and their constructive approach throughout the negotiation process. He noted the unions’ commitment to a peaceful resolution during discussions and the eventual agreement. Plang also highlighted his personal involvement in extensive discussions with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). He facilitated multiple meetings between the legislative branch and the trade unions to achieve a consensus on the matter. “I must thank them because they have a very patriotic approach to this issue. They were never violent at all. “Our relationship is like a family, where dependents and children ask the father for more resources. “The father, who loves the children, will look at them compassionately and explain his limitations. “The ability to agree on a particular amount was commendable and shows understanding within the family. “We must be careful to ensure that the federal, state, and local governments all pay the new minimum,” he said. Plang urged organised labour to meet the minimum wage requirements. “May we also bring policies that favour the private sector so they can thrive, be productive, and be in a position to meet the minimum wage for our workers,” he said. 

Makinde orders flag to fly half mast in honour of late lawmaker

  Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the demise of a House of Representatives member, Mr Olaide Akinremi, as shocking and a great loss to the state. The two-term All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science Research Institutes, died in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness Makinde mourned Akinremi in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade. The governor, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast across the state in honour of the late lawmaker.

Senate Calls for Conversion of Abandoned Shell Airstrip into Air Force Base

In a bid to revitalize dormant infrastructure and bolster national security, the Nigerian Senate has endorsed a proposal to transform the disused Shell Airstrip in Oloibiri oil well, Bayelsa State, into a modern Air Force base. Sponsored by Senator Sunday Agadaga of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), representing Bayelsa State, the motion garnered widespread bipartisan support during its deliberation. Senator Agadaga highlighted the historical significance of the Shell Airstrip, which served as a crucial asset for oil exploration and personnel transportation following its construction in 1958. He expressed concern over its abandonment since the decline of Shell’s operations in the region, citing the detrimental impact on local livelihoods and environmental degradation. “The land itself appears to have been sentenced to perpetual condemnation as no agricultural activity, which is the economic mainstay of the local dwellers, can be carried out anymore due to the concretized topography of the soil,” remarked Senator Agadaga. Contributing to the discourse, Senator Isah Jibrin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kogi State raised apprehensions regarding the financial implications of the project. While refraining from outright opposition, he cautioned against overlooking the substantial costs involved. In contrast, Senator Adams Oshiomole of the APC representing Edo State underscored the strategic advantages of repurposing the airstrip into an Air Force base, particularly in enhancing security measures in the region. Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Maidoki Garuba of the PDP from Kebbi State emphasized the critical role of the conversion in fortifying national security and combating illicit activities such as oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party (LP), representing Anambra State, emphasized the importance of preserving historical landmarks like Oloibiri. He emphasized that the conversion would not only bolster security but also elevate Oloibiri to a national monument, commemorating its historical significance. In his concluding remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the imperative of preserving historical assets like the Oloibiri Shell Airstrip. He underscored the potential of converting it into an Air Force base to bolster security and emergency response capabilities, particularly given its proximity to the Gulf of Guinea. Akpabio expressed optimism that the government would prioritize the reconstruction of the airstrip into an Air Force base to address emerging challenges effectively.

Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill Introduced, Passed First Reading in the Senate

The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives on 29th February 2024 and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, was read on the floor of Senate and passed through first reading. With this development, a motion for concurrence to be sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) will come up shortly to enable the Senate to adopt the Bill in line with the extant rules of the National Assembly. The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 25 years ago by the National Commandant, Dr Dickson Akoh, is incorporated in Nigeria under the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and accorded the Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and granted license to operate in the Country as a Non-Governmental Organization by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. Aside the Peace Corps bill, the Senate also passed for first reading, Nigerian Hunters and Security Service Bill 2024, Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 and National Talent Rehabilitation and Integration Agency (Establishment) Bill 2024. Others are the Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Agricultural Harvest and Processing Zone (Establishment) bill 2024.

Senate Session Disrupted by Seating Spat in Renovated Chamber

The much-anticipated return to the revamped Hallowed Chamber for the Senate’s plenary session was overshadowed by a bitter dispute over seating arrangements, resulting in a chaotic interruption of proceedings. Anticipation ran high as Senators gathered in the newly refurbished Hallowed Chamber for their first plenary session post-renovation. However, the mood soured quickly when Senate President Godswill Akpabio began acknowledging Senators who celebrated birthdays during the recess. Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u of APC Zamfara North wasted no time in expressing his discontent with his allocated seat, confronting Senate Leader Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele of APC Ekiti Central. What began as a private grievance escalated rapidly into a public confrontation, inciting reactions from fellow Senators and plunging the chamber into disarray. Senator Ya’u vehemently argued that his seat, positioned at the far right of the chamber, failed to reflect his seniority as a former Deputy Minority Whip during the 9th National Assembly. Senator Danjuma Goje of APC Gombe Central echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the perceived disregard for hierarchy in the seating arrangement. In an attempt to restore order, Senate President Akpabio intervened, urging Senator Bamidele and the aggrieved Senators to address the issue with the presiding officer. Following this intervention, Akpabio proceeded with his welcome address, albeit after a delay caused by the altercation. Subsequently, Senator Bamidele called for an emergency executive session, presumably to diffuse tensions and salvage the disrupted proceedings. As Senators work to resolve internal conflicts, the nation’s legislative agenda hangs in the balance, awaiting their undivided attention.

Senate and House of Representatives Gear Up for Return to Main Chambers

With the conclusion of the ongoing renovation in both chambers of the National Assembly, as promised last month by Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited, handling the renovation work of both chambers of the National Assembly, plenaries will commence in the main chambers from April 23rd, 2024. Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, announced the planned movement to the main chamber in a written statement to 359 other members of the House of Representatives last week. The rescheduling of the resumption date, originally set for April 16th, to April 23rd, was necessitated by the need to resume plenary in the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, according to the House spokesman’s announcement dated April 4th. Similarly, the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akabueze, postponed the resumption of Plenary from April 16th to April 23rd, citing the same reason. Tajudeen Olanipekun, the site engineer of Visible Construction, assured journalists covering the Senate last month that the main chambers would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April. The completion of the renovation project, awarded at N30 billion by the Federal Capital Development Authority to Visible Construction Limited in March 2021, includes the rehabilitation of critical segments such as office buildings, the roof, cooling systems, and lifts in the complex. With the finishing touches and installation of state-of-the-art equipment and furniture, the Hallowed Chambers have undergone a significant transformation, signaling the imminent return of legislative activities to the main chambers after nearly two years of using temporary ones.

National Assembly Passes Long-Awaited Student Loan Bill

The National Assembly, encompassing the Senate and the House of Representatives, has finally passed the much-anticipated student loan bill into law. After undergoing rigorous scrutiny with first, second, and third readings in both parliamentary chambers, the bill officially attained legal status on Wednesday. The Senate’s approval came following a thorough examination of the committee’s report on tertiary institutions and TETFUND, as presented by Muntari Dandutse, the committee’s chairperson, during a plenary session.