By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Senate yesterday said it would commence full consideration and possible passage of half of its historic and much needed economic reform package as six of the 11 priority economic growth and reform bills are slated for public hearings tomorrow to Thursday.
A statement issued from the Senate President Media Office yesterday listed some of the bills scheduled for public hearing tomorrow to be the National Development Bank of Nigeria Bill, which is intended to provide short, medium and long term financing to participating financial institutions for loans to small scale, medium and industrial enterprises in agro allied businesses, manufacturing, mining and the National Road Fund Act to fund the rehabilitation and maintenance of the national road system.
The Federal Roads Authority Act, which is to manage the federal roads network so that it is safe and efficient, with a view toward meeting the socio-economic demands of the country and the Customs and Excise Reform Act which seeks to reform the administration and management of the Customs Service for greater accountability and revenue generation will hold the same day.
On December 6 (tomorrow), Land and Marine Transport Committee will hold public hearing on the National Transport Commission Act which seeks for establishment of a National Transport Commission as an effective, independent and impartial authority in the transport sector.
The statement added that on December 7 and 8, the Committee on Upstream Petroleum would hold public hearings on the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIB) tailored towards establishing a framework for the creation of commercially oriented and profit driven petroleum entities that ensures value addition and the internationalisation of the petroleum industry.
Also commenting on the busy week awaiting the Senate, Saraki through his twitter handle said: “This is a very important week for the Senate. We have moved beyond partisanship and we have moved beyond rhetoric. We are now in the realm where we have really worked to deliver something meaningful to the people of Nigeria.”
