2019 budget, wage bill suffer delay as NASS extends recess

The National Assembly resumed on Tuesday but was forced to extend its recess to March 12, 2019 as members failed to attend plenary.

Lawmakers did not form quorum in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, forcing the President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, respectively, to extend the recess.

At the Senate on Tuesday, the lawmakers however sat for only five minutes, with only Saraki and eight senators in the chamber.

The Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who moved the motion for the adjournment, explained that most lawmakers were in their constituencies, monitoring the outcome of the National Assembly election.

He specifically said some of his colleagues could not attend plenary because they had yet to know their fate.

Lawan said, “Our members who contested the elections are yet to get their final results, formally and officially declared and therefore they needed to stay back. Others are also on the field to ensure a very smooth election process across the country.”

He urged the Independent National Election Commission not to postpone the governorship election already shifted to March 9 again.

The motion was seconded by the Minority Whip, Senator Phillip Aduda.

Before the adjournment, Saraki sought to know the status of the New National Minimum Wage bill from the Chief Whip and Chairman of the ad hoc committee on the bill, Senator Sola Adeyeye.

Adeyeye attributed the committee’s delay in working on the proposal to lack of quorum.

He said most of his colleagues did not show up for the committee’s meeting because they contested last Saturday’s election.

The Chief Whip said, “We made very frantic efforts to meet and we met the same situation we have found here today, which is lack of quorum. I do hope that after the election, we will be able to form quorum.

“I even tried to see if we could have a digital platform. So, I set up an electronic platform whereby we could have the meeting and come to a conclusion. I did this because if you look at the amendments to the bill submitted, it had only two clauses.

“So, I thought we could do it electronically but my colleagues preferred that we sit in a roundtable. I don’t have the power to veto their decision. Likewise, my colleagues could also not reach a consensus as to when we could meet.

“I must also plead that I have come to Abuja thrice, hoping that we could meet but I could not force my colleagues who had election to come and join me here.”

Adeyeye added, “I am not contesting any election. But after the election, I have to go and take care of my health because there is something inside me that needs urgent attention and I don’t want to, in the name of national service, kill myself prematurely.

“So, I would plead that if I am not able to return on time, perhaps the wisest man in the chamber – a long-standing fifth timer should be appointed to take over the chairmanship. I mean the Deputy Senate President (Ike Ekweremadu).”

Saraki, however, assured Nigerians that the minimum wage bill would receive expeditious passage upon resumption next month.

He said, “By the time we resume, this will be the first item for consideration. I am sure that because of its importance and the feedback I have received, our colleagues also want to contribute personally to the debate.”

At the House of Representatives, there were only Dogara and 10 members in the 360-member chamber. They included the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun; Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Edward Pwajok.

The Speaker noted that the number of members who turned up was too low for the proceeding to continue.

Dogara, therefore, ruled that plenary be adjourned till March 12, after the governorship and state House of Assembly elections slated for March 9.

PUNCH.

About Admin

Check Also

Breaking: EFCC Says, “Yahaya Bello Remains Wanted, Not In Our Custody”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, …

Leave a Reply