Okays state of the nation address by President
Reps to acquire official cars for N850,000 each
PDP to meet contestants for Speaker's slot
FOUR years ago on June 5, 2007, they walked with smiles into the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly. And as they took stock of their sojourn in the legislature yesterday, the lawmakers, who have enjoyed the power and other perquisites of office, betrayed their emotions at a valedictory session. But the unassailable truth is that they have to go.
At the Senate, where members spoke at the valedictory session ahead of today's closing ceremony, some senators turned philosophers while others went spiritual. Still, they were nationalistic as they called for the strengthening of the nation's democracy and passed a bill compelling the country's President to deliver a state of the nation address every July 1.
But the situation was different at the House of Representatives, where members focused on what to get from the government before they bow out.
As a parting gift, the lawmakers, citing a government circular, agreed to buy their official cars at 15 per cent of the original cost. A total of 380 Peugeot 407 cars worth N2.3 billion were bought for the legislators in 2008 at N4.6 million each. But the cars will now be acquired by them at N850,000 each.
Mid-way into the plenary session yesterday, Senate President David Mark told his colleagues that the list of members who indicated interest to make valedictory speeches was ready and those willing to do so should go ahead.
The Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, who spoke first, noted that whatever has a beginning must have an end and the life of the sixth Senate had come to end. He disclosed that the out-going Senate passed 89 bills and 118 motions in four years. He listed the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill, Sovereign Wealth as some of the sensitive bills passed by the chamber, adding that within the period, the National Assembly passed laws putting both the Legislature and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on first line charge.
He added that the successful conduct of the 2011 elections was a testimony that the Legislature did a good job on the amendment of the Electoral Act.
The Minority Leader, Lawan Maji Maina, noted that the session was a wonderful opportunity explored by the senators to improve on the lives of Nigerians through the enactment of good laws. He said despite political party affiliations, the Senate did very well. Maina, however, observed that the standing committees of the Senate should emulate the leadership style of the principal officers, who worked as a team.
The Deputy Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, apparently reading the mood of the lawmakers in the chamber, remarked that such occasion was bound to be emotion-laden.
According to him, it was an avenue to say goodbye after playing a critical role in the nation's history. Listing some of the achievements of the out-going Senate, Ndoma-Egba said the jinx of amendment of the constitution, as well as banana peel in the National Assembly was broken. He, however, expressed concern over the negative perception of the National Assembly by the public and called for a change of attitude.
Emotion took over the proceedings when it was the turn of Olorunnimbe Mamora from Lagos State. He said: "It is an emotional day for me and it is a day of thanksgiving because I have served faithfully." Mamora quoted the legendary reggae star, Bob Marley, saying "good friends I had, good friends I lost." He also recalled almost with tears some of the colleagues as including Senator Yari Gandi, who died during the life of the 6th Senate and urged their successors to strengthen federalism by allocating more funds to the states.
Senator Patrick Osakwe from Delta State focused on experience in the legislature, lamenting that of the class of 1999 to which he belongs, only senators David Mark from Benue State and Hayatu Bello from Kano would make the seventh Senate.
Senator Jubril Aminu from Adamawa State added a spiritual dimension to the session when he led Muslim prayers after his contribution. He remarked that the National Assembly is a different school, adding that no matter anybody's academic background, the person would have undergone some tutelage as a member of the National Assembly.
Senator Bob Effiong from Akwa Ibom State who also ended his contribution with Christian prayers called for continuity in the legislature, pointing out that it would help to strengthen the nation's democracy. He appealed to the cognate senators to guide the new lawmakers.
Senator Yahaya Ugbane (Kogi State) warned against scandalising lawmakers, citing allegations of corruption for which he is still being tried in the court. He urged the incoming senators to conduct internal investigation in the event of such charges. Both senators Osita Izunaso from Imo State and Kolawole Bajoma from Ogun State stressed the need to strengthen screening of ministerial nominees "so that only the best can emerge at the end of the day.'' The session continues today.
Also yesterday, the Senate passed the harmonised version of the "Bill for An Act to Make Provision for State of the Nation Address by the President.''
The bill, in clause 1 passed by the Senate and the Lower House says "without prejudice to the presentation of yearly budget by the President, the President shall present annually state of the nation address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly'' while clause 2 states that "the President shall not delegate his responsibilities under this Act to any subordinate or aide.'' Clause 3 fixes first legislative day of July of every year as the time for the presentation.
It was learnt that the management of the National Assembly had wanted to sell the cars at N1.2 million each to the lawmakers but the price was negotiated to N850,000.
All office equipment used by the outgoing lawmakers are equally affected by the decision.
When the House returned to plenary, Speaker Dimeji Bankole simply announced that: "The House met in executive session and passed a resolution on the issue of the vehicles and equipment of the 6th National Assembly and it was resolved amicably."
The Guardian learnt that the sale of the vehicles was based on an existing Federal Government's circular.
"There was a circular from the Federal Ministry of Works, which served as a guide and what we were told was that we were going to pay for each car, based on the value and the procedure adopted the sum of N850,000," a source said.
Bankole yesterday announced that the House would conduct its valedictory session today to signal the end of the sixth Assembly.
He said: "Although the plenary session would end tomorrow (today), the sixth Assembly officially closes on Saturday, June 4, 2011."
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to meet with the three candidates for the office of the Speaker with a view to resolving the crisis generated by the race.
This was the fall-out of a meeting of the party's leadership with members of the House on Tuesday night in Abuja on its zoning arrangement.
The parley, which was chaired by the PDP Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Haliru Bello Muhammed, had affirmed the zoning of the Speaker's position to the South-West, promising to stick to the arrangement.
The appointment of former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), signalled the commencement of the enforcement of the zoning deal
It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan directed Vice President Namadi Sambo to work with the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that the zoning formula was adhered to.
Bello allegedly told the lawmakers that attempts to disregard the zoning arrangement would be viewed as an anti-party activity.
Source: Emotions run high as sixth N'Assembly ends today (http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50008:emotions-run-high-as-sixth-nassembly-ends-today-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)