As the National Assembly reconvenes today, matters of interest likely to attract priority in the activities of the Senate include the recent IPOB crisis, legislation to curb illegal recruitment in the civil service, as well as passage of a bill to guarantee workers’ safety in Nigeria. EZREL TABIOWO reports.
Security Top on the list of matters to be accorded priority by the Senate upon resumption from its annual recess today, are ongoing operations by the Nigerian Army in several parts of the country, and investigation into the crisis in the South east following a clash between the military and members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Th e Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, revealed last week that the Senate would invite security chiefs over to the red chamber to explain the recent military action against members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and ongoing operation Python Dance II in the South-East region.
It would also address the skirmishes in the Plateau and other states. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the crises in the country were not unconnected to the economic challenges being faced by citizens. He appealed to security agencies, political and religious leaders to promote dialogue as means for tackling agitations, to ensure peace in the country. “Th e tension in some parts of the country has its roots substantially in the economic situation.
Th e nation should be assured that some of the legislative and executive actions taken to address the economic problems are beginning to yield fruits. Th is is why we recently witnessed the rebound of the economy and the exit of the country from recession,” he said and called on the South-East and Plateau people to cooperate with government to solve the problems. Th e Senate President, who condemned the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the South east governors and the Army headquarters categorization of the same group as a terrorist organization, noted that such pronouncement was unconstitutional and an abuse of due process.
“I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by Governors of the Southeast states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and does not follow due process. “Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have eff ect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process,” he said days before the federal government eventually obtained a court order proscribing IPOB.
“It is also important that commentators and purveyors of information on all media platforms should be conscious of the need, at all times, to maintain the unity of the country. Th erefore, they must refrain from circulating information that has the potential for aggravating the crisis. “We must commend the military for their eff orts in restoring peace to diff erent parts of the country and sustaining the unity of the country “However, in the face of provocation, the military should allow themselves to be guided by their training which emphasizes respect for human rights, even in war. Also, giving the nature of this particular situation, the military has every reason to be hesitant in the use of force. “Also, it is my view that we should not over-stretch the military.
We need to protect our military against dissipation of their fi ghting strength. And this means we need to strengthen the police and equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crisis. Th at is why we, in the National Assembly, are already reviewing the Police Act and also looking at the possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help in curbing civil unrest and maintenance of law and order. “I want to also make it clear that the National Assembly intends to embark on a fact-fi nding investigation aimed at determining what actually happened during the period of the military exercise in the South-east. “We want to be able to sift the facts from the fi ction and determine who did what. It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known.
We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We intend to lay the facts bare. “On a long term, we want to remind Nigerians that the reason for embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among us. “We have promised that the exercise would be continuous. We intend to keep that promise by further taking decisions that would strengthen and improve on our structures.
“Th e Eighth National Assembly, on resumption, will play its constitutional role by addressing all those issues that are agitating the minds of our people and over which they feel so strong. I appeal to all our people to always direct their grievances to the right channels. Passage of Existing Vacancies, Occupational Safety Bills Among bills to be given accelerated consideration and passage when the upper legislative chamber resumes today are the Occupational Safety bill and Existing Vacancies bill. Th e Senate President through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the Existing Vacancies in the Federal Civil Service (Prohibition) Bill, which is currently due for Second Reading, will be given priority as one of the Senate’s legislative interventions to curb the increasing rates of illegal recruitment into federal government agencies and parastatals.
“Th e Existing Vacancies Bill will put in place clear-cut procedures that will help to curb and possibly end the trend of ‘silent or underground recruitment’. Th is country belongs to every Nigerian, and as such, all vacancies that exist in the Federal Civil Service must be properly advertised to give every Nigerian that meets the requirement a chance to apply.” Further, Saraki said the objective of the Bill, which was introduced by Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, is to promote the integrity and transparency in the recruitment of personnel into the Federal Civil Service, and makes an off ence for a Federal Ministry, Agency or Parastatal to fi ll existing vacancies in their organizations without publicly advertising such vacancies.
Th e bill will set time-frames for recruitment and the publication of recruitment in national dailies, compels heads of government agencies and ministries to ensure compliance or face punitive measures, and ensures that the mandate of the Federal Character Commission is followed to the letter. It imposes punitive measures on those that choose to intentionally fl out the law by embarking on secret recruitment exercises within the MDAs under their purview. “Th is illegal recruitment trend needs to stop, and when we resume, we will begin to work towards enshrining this in our laws,” Saraki said. Saraki assured that the 8th Senate will give accelerated consideration to the Occupational Safety and Health Bill (SB. 200), which is meant to update and guarantee the safety and health of workers and protect them from avoidable injuries at their places of work.
“Th e Occupational Safety Bill, which has undergone Second Reading and is currently making its way through the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, will help to ensure that millions of Nigerian workers are protected in the event of injury. “Th is Bill will also guarantee safe and healthy working conditions for Nigerian workers by putting in place a legal framework that will develop and promote occupational safety standards that defi ne the exposure limits for chemicals, other biological and physical agents.
“Furthermore, as much as we are pushing for the prevention of workplace hazards through this updated piece of legislation, we are also specifying a legislative framework that will ensure the compliance of all work places, employees and employers that will fall under this law,” Saraki said. Th e President of the Senate also stated that the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, would cover both the formal and the informal sector, and repeal the Factories Act, by making comprehensive provisions for issues that relate to occupational safety and health in the workplace.