•Senate confirms Nnamani, others for Infrastructure Commission
Senate President David Mark has again reiterated his call for the enactment of a law to make oil stealing a capital offence.
Mark said his proposal was informed by the devastating impact of oil theft on the country's economy.
He said: "In the past, I had occasion to comment on the escalating issues of oil theft. It does not need a genius to know that this would have a devastating effect on the economy if not checked. "We must, therefore, address it squarely. I still maintain my earlier stance that oil theft should attract capital punishment."
The Senate president also proposed the revisiting of the Terrorism Prevention Act to prescribe stiffer punishment for offenders.
This is contained in his address to the Senate to mark the commencement of the third session of the Upper Chamber yesterday.
Mark described the task before the Senate as enormous and crucial, some of which he listed to include the consideration of the report of the Committee on Review of the Constitution, consideration and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, and consideration and passage of the Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill.
Others include the review of the Electoral Act 2010, preparation for the anticipated flooding during the rainy season and the preparation for the first Africa Legislative Summit in November.
He said that given the enormous tasks before the Senate, the senators must be dedicated and ready to make some sacrifices to be able to confront these challenges.
Also yesterday, the Senate confirmed the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, as the chairman of the Governing Board of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC.
Other members of the Board of ICRC who were also confirmed are Mr. Aminu Dikko as the Director General of the commission, Mrs. Comfort Saro- Wiwa, Janet Adeyemi, Mrs. Yabawa Wabi, Hon. Musa Elayo and A. U. Kanu as members.
The confirmation of the eight-man board followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Works chaired by Senator Ayogu Eze, which screened the nominees.
Mark also said the Senate would commence full debate of the draft bill of the 1999 Constitution review presented to the Upper Chamber before the break by the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the review committee, Ike Ekweremadu, next week.
National Mirror
This just goes a long way in showing how they all detest being corrupt to the extent of stealing. Nigerians have to flee from it.