By Kemi Yesufu
President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan has called on Nigerans to keep faith in the country in the New year.
Ahmed in a personally signed statement congratulated “Fellow Nigerians everywhere as we cross over from 2021 into a happy and prosperous 2022”.
Lawan said: “The Year 2021 was challenging for people all over the world. It is praiseworthy that beyond the challenges, we can see the rays of a bright future from the new year.
“As your elected representatives, our new year pledge is to continue to pursue our common desire of a just, peaceful and prosperous country. We promise to continue to discharge this responsibility without fear or malice, confident that by working in harmony, Nigerians will build the great country that is their abiding dream and manifest destiny”.
The Senate President took time to highlight the contributions of the National Assembly to the country’s stability in 2021 saying the legislative arm is committed to serving the people.
The statement read in part: “Without a doubt, insecurity is today one of our biggest challenges. However, I can attest that the government is resolutely addressing these challenges.
“As a critical contribution to that effort, the National Assembly has appropriated more funds in the 2022 budget to enhance the operational capabilities of our security agencies. My message to fellow Nigerians is that we should not lose faith in our country and its democratic institutions. The current challenges will be overcome and become mere footnotes in our glorious national history.
“The ninth National Assembly is focused and will never be distracted from the implementation of its Legislative Agenda as we had spelt out following our inauguration in 2019. Within the context of that Agenda, we have passed many critical bills and have many more to roll out in the new year. At the beginning of 2021, we made specific promises to the Nigerian people with respect to our legislative focus. We are proud that we have kept those promises.
“For instance, breaking the jinx of the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB), which had defied passage for about two decades, was high on our agenda in 2021. With the cooperation of the Executive and the support of the key stakeholders, we were able to break the jinx. We passed the bill and got it signed into law in 2021. This piece of legislation will significantly impact the Nigerian economy and propel a significant turn around in our oil and gas sector.
“It was with the same spirit of patriotism that we handled the Electoral Act amendment bill. We believe that sustainable democratic governance requires a transparent and credible electoral process. Following the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold assent to the bill, we shall make further consultations on the issues he stated for that decision, on our resumption of plenary in January. We shall find a way forward on this critical legislation in the new year. We are determined to deliver an Electoral Act that stands the test of time in safeguarding democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria.
“We are also looking forward to receiving the report of our Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution upon our resumption from recess. We believe that the outcome of this very important exercise will promote unity, stability and peaceful coexistence in our country. The Electoral Act amendment bill and review of the 1999 constitution will be topmost on our agenda as we reconvene for Legislative business in the new year”.
“Upon our inauguration in 2019, the ninth National Assembly had promised to reset the national budget calendar to January to December cycle, to make our fiscal system predictable and consistent with international best practice. We have since 2019 passed the national yearly budget every December to enable the President sign it into law before the new year. In consistent with this, on Friday 31st December, 2021, we witnessed the signing into law by the President, the 2022 Appropriation Bill. Timely passage of the budget enhances the performance of the economy and has specifically aided our recent quick recovery from recession. We are determined to sustain this trajectory to act as an impetus to our economic planning and projection.
“The much that we have been able to accomplish this far can be attributed to the commitment and dedication of my fellow Distinguished colleagues and Honourable members and the prevailing atmosphere of cordiality between the National Assembly and the Executive. We intend to sustain and even improve on this in the new year and beyond”.
Nigerians have been charged to use the New Year to renew their commitment to nation building, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.
In his New Year message, Senator Omo-Agege tasked citizens to shun all forms of vices even as he harped on the need for unity and harmony amongst all.
The Delta Central lawmaker said though the outgone year 2021 was challenging, complicated by the surge of Coronavirus, he was upbeat that the new year 2022 would be a year of recovery.
He called on Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety guidelines, in order to be insulated from the pandemic.
On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which President Muhammadu Buhari vetoed, the Deputy President of the Senate assured Nigerians that legislators would consult widely with their constituents before the National Assembly resumes on January 18, 2022.
“Stakeholders agree that the 2010 Electoral Act is no longer in tune with current realities, hence the need for new legal framework for our elections.
“Consultations with our constituents will start immediately after the New Year festivities to feel their pulse on the President’s decision to decline assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and chart a way forward.
“We assure Nigerians that within the first week of resumption, we will come up with a workable solution to resolve the impasse.
“We can’t throw away the baby with the bath water. Without a doubt, the amended bill has so many innovations that would improve our electoral fortunes in line with best democratic practices globally.
“Another issue that would top our agenda upon resumption from Christmas break is the presentation and consideration of the report of the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which I chair. We will have the constitution alteration bills voted on upon resumption,” he said.
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