Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday passed a record 130 bills for first reading in less than 30 minutes, the first time since the return of democracy in 1999.
Normally at first reading, the Speaker only invites the House clerk to read the short title of any newly introduced bill, after which it will be listed for second reading, when it will be debated.
Soon after commencement of plenary Thursday, Speaker Yakubu Dogara called on the clerk, Sani Omolori, to read the bills, most of which sought to repeal or amend an existing law.
Some of the bills include Corporate Manslaughter Bill, 2015; Medical and Dental Practitioners Amendment Bill, 2015; Peoples Bank of Nigeria Act (repeal) bill, 2015; National Eye Centre Amendment Bill, 2015; Inland Fisheries Act Amendment Bill, 2015; Public Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill, 2015 and Casino Taxation Amendment Bill, 2015.
Others are Extradition Amendment Act, 2015; NIPSS Amendment Bill, 2015; Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill, 2015; Telecommunications and Postal Offences Amendment Bill, 2015; Criminal Justice Amendment Bill, 2015; National Film and Video Censors’ Board Amendment Bill, 2015; Robbery and Firearms Amendment Bill, 2015; EFCC Amendment Bill, 2015 among many others.
After Omolori finished reading the 130 bills, the Speaker then called on members to present more bills before the House for legislation.
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