Keeping track of the 8th Senate

THE  8th Senate,  within the last two years, has created a paradigm shift in legislative procedures, exemplifying a robust legislations, oversight functions and private participations in tandem with the Change mantra of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Its activities characterised by transparency, healthy debate on issues on the floor of the Senate, hardworking and confident among members of the Upper Chamber. Despite the turbulence that embedded the initial composition of its leadership, the National Assembly leadership vehemently shelved the disparities and hereafter dwelling in unity of purpose and attainable legislative agenda.

The Saraki-led 8th Senate will forever be remembered for its frank disposition on national issues. The passion to improve the living standard of the common man and the mind set that it will not be business as usual have earned the members the laudable accolade. One would applaud the Senate for the closer working relationship with the executive arm of government. The huge support the both arms are enjoying have paved the way for the stability and smooth running of the present administration. So far, the Presidency has placed 195 requests in forms of confirmation of executive appointments, approval of loans and other executive functions before the Senate in which 184 have been ratified leaving 11 awaiting confirmation.

Between June and December 2015, 133 Bills scaled the first reading in the floor of the Senate. By January to December 2016, another 219 Bills scaled first reading and from January 2017 till date, 51 Bills passed first reading as well. In June and December 2015, 14 Bills through to second reading while 116 Bills completed second reading in 2016.  46 for second reading from January 2017 till date.  20 Bills were placed on Alteration Rules and 92 Bills got Committal assigned to relevant Committees.

In all, 91 Bills were fully passed. Four were withdrawn, three were negatived, while Lobbying Disclosure Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB; 99) was merged with Lobbying (Regulations) Bill 2016 (SB 258). The Federal Capital Territory Statutory Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 (SB; 225) was also adopted during this period of legislative proceedings. Since inception of this democracy in May, 1999, the then 5th Senate passed 65 bills, 6th Senate 23, 7th Senate 28 while the 8th Senate distinguishing itself with the passage of 91 bills making it the highest in numbers of Bills passed.

For the first time in the history of the Nigerian Senate, public private participations took a centre stage when 2016, 2017 Appropriation Bills were presented by the Presidency. The initiative of National Assembly Joint Public Hearing on the Budget, were constituted. Three-day public hearings were organised to afford public and private sector participation, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Labour organisations converged and contributed in the budgeting processes. Having observed with keen interest the challenges associated with ease of doing business in Nigeria and with determination to find lasting solution to the lingering impediments militating with investment across the country, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki instituted the National Assembly Business Environment Round-table (NASSBER) an initiative through which legislations and roadmap to revamp national economy.

The birth of NASSBER in March 2016 brought together experts, international development partners and stakeholders in the nation’s economy to brainstorm synergistically between the legislative arm of government, the executive arm and the private sector to ensure that the business environment is competitive enough to guarantee profits and attracts both foreign and local investors. While addressing crops of professionals and stakeholders from Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Department for International Development (DFID),  ENABLE project, and the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law (NBA, SBL), during the yearly anniversary and unveiling of the annual reports of NASSBER in National Assembly recently, the Senate President assured Nigerians and other partners of the Senate readiness to bridge the gap between various players in the nation’s economy and build confident, trust and ease of doing business in Nigeria. He said; “For us in the 8th National Assembly, law-making is not about the number of bills, it is more about impact and we will continue to focus on quality and impact on our people over any other considerations.

In his words; “This is what makes the 8th National Assembly unique as we are determined to only make laws that will have positive impact on our people. We are in partnership with the private sector, through the NASSBER, initiated a research study to review the legislative instruments impeding doing business in Nigeria and received a report detailing the necessary legislative action required to begin the process of changing the unsupportive legal structures, weak institutional base and obsolete regulatory frameworks in the nation’s business environment.  “We want to see that these bills can actually help us create jobs, mobilize private sector investment and promote made in Nigeria goods.” Saraki said.

Also, part of the priorities of the 8th Senate is the Amendment to the Procurement Act which promotes made-in-Nigeria goods. The Senate took the bull by the horns when it read the Riot Act to public institutions to henceforth patronise made-in-Nigeria as the first option in order to encourage and boost the diversification drive of the Federal government. The Senate President, while addressing manufacturers in one of the forums to create awareness and relate the decision of the National Assembly urged local contractors, said manufactures should not hesitate to lodge complaints about any government institution that contravenes the Procurement Act.

• Ikotun, is a Senior Legislative Aide (Media & Publicity), Office of the President of the Senate.