On Tuesday, January 16th, 2018,
the 8th Senate resumed its plenary activities for the year. The Senate
President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his resumption speech, discussed the
work of the Senate and the way forward.
These are 8 of the major things
that he said.
1. On the Fuel Scarcity: “When
one part of the body is hurting, the whole body hurts, and this holds true for
the entire nation.”
I am not unmindful of the
sobering fact that the new year has met many citizens in a reflective mood.
Many were on the queue for petrol; many households are grief-stricken. This
mood of reflection is also one from which no lawmaker is immune; what affects
one, affects all. When one part of the body is hurting, the whole body hurts,
and this holds true for the entire nation.
We have all been witnesses to the
hardships with which many Nigerians saw in the new year, stuck on fuel queues
tailing from petrol stations in many of our cities. It has been disheartening
to see, especially during the festive period when Nigerians should have been
enjoying carefree time with their loved ones, with enough petrol in their tanks
to make that cherished journey to the various hometowns.
2. On the Fuel Scarcity: “We, as
representatives of the people, feel the pain of the people.”
We, as representatives of the
people, feel the pain of the people. Things being the way they were, we could
not but respond to the crisis. I therefore had to direct members of the Senate
Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity cut short their recess to commence
hearings into the lingering problem; and that work is ongoing. I commend the
committee for their prompt response and the work carried out.
We seek the cooperation and
understanding of Nigerians as we try to get to the bottom of this issue. My own
estimation of the fuel scarcity phenomenon is that it is man-made. We thought
we had left the problem of fuel queues firmly in the past in this country, but
sadly, that appears not to be the case. In any event, there is a problem, and
it must be solved. We await the findings of the Investigative Panel on Fuel
Scarcity, firm in our resolve that whoever is responsible must pay the price
for visiting this needless hardship upon our people.
3. On the Benue Killings: “We
condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless
bloodletting has no place in our society.”
Distinguished colleagues, you
will agree with me that even more sober reflection attends the killings in some
parts of the country, particularly recent tragic events in Benue State. We
condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless
bloodletting has no place in our society. I offer our sincerest condolences to
the people of Benue, and indeed to all who have suffered the loss of their
loved ones as a result of these wanton acts.
Human life is sacred. We state
without equivocation that Nigerian life must become sacred. When we fail in our
duty to protect Nigerian lives, it is a tragedy and an indictment on us all. We
as the 8th Senate stand ready to help find solutions to assuage the hurt to
affected parts, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to enthrone peace in
all four corners of this country.
Let me state that the 8th Senate
is disturbed by these unfortunate incidents, and we have been for some time. We
were concerned enough to have inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee on Security in
November of last year. And so it was that, with the shocking reports from
Benue, Rivers and other places, the Security Committee members also cut short
their recess to resume sitting, with a view to fast-tracking their
investigations, in order to present an interim report for the Senate’s
consideration immediately on resumption. I really must commend the committee
for their swift action in this regard; and I am happy to note that the Interim
Report is ready for the consideration of this chamber.
4. On the Work of the Senate: “We
cannot lose momentum, nor can we afford to rest on our oars.”
We are a people-oriented Senate,
and I believe I speak for us all when I pledge that we shall continue to demonstrate
similar dedication to our duties this year, as worthy representatives of the
people who voted us into office.
Distinguished colleagues, the 8th
Senate has continued its historic run, because by the end of 2017, we had
passed 140 Bills over a period of 30 months. The landmark Economic Bills we
passed, helped to propel the country’s emergence from recession, powering us
upwards in the Ease of Doing Business Report. While the legislative feats of
the year gone by shall go down in the annals of lawmaking in this country, what
is also true is that we cannot lose momentum, nor can we afford to rest on our
oars.
5. “This is Nigeria’s time. Let
us devote ourselves to her service.”
Going into the new year, I can
only wish each and every one of us the best as we prepare for the task ahead.
It is a crucial year. As you all know, this, in all probability, will be the
last productive year before we go into the 2019 electioneering period. Not only
is there a need to up the ante in terms of productivity, it is important we
keep our eyes on the big picture. Let us not be caught in the political fray
before due season. To each and every thing under the sun, its own time. This is
Nigeria’s time. Let us devote ourselves to her service. It is therefore
imperative that we speed up consideration on the various bills on which
legislative work remains outstanding – particularly economic bills. Calling for
similar attention are the other parts of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)
related bills still to be passed, namely: the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill
and the Petroleum Host Community Bill.
6.“We must not allow the upcoming
2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people.”
Distinguished colleagues, it is
my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and
her people, must be uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or distract
us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the trust
reposed in us by the people.
This is my appeal: it is too
early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger
work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our
agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to
the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am
directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the National
Assembly as a whole, as well as to the Executive and indeed all political actors.
7. “Let me opine that 2018 will
be defined by the collaboration between the two chambers of the 8th National
Assembly”
Distinguished colleagues, let me
opine that 2018 will be defined by the collaboration between the two chambers
of the 8th National Assembly as regards the number of items due for
concurrence. We must work to build on the very cordial relationship between the
two chambers as witnessed so far, and elevate the level of cooperation, for the
benefit the people. To this end, I urge you all to reach out to our
counterparts in the House, so that we can fulfil the lawmaking function in the
most expeditious manner. This will help streamline the process – and clear the
way for the passing of various legislations – making for improved synergy and
joined-up working between the two chambers.
8. On the Way Forward: “We will
not relent in our efforts…”
Currently, distinguished
colleagues, there are two major ongoing issues before us – namely the
Constitutional Amendment process and the 2018 Appropriation Bill. It is
encouraging to see that the Assemblies in the States have already started work
on the Constitutional Amendment; I urge us all to keep a keen eye on
developments on that front. With regard to the 2018 Budget, let me take this
opportunity to give a word of encouragement to the Committee as they work to
ensure the proper conduct of the process.
The full text of the welcome
address is reproduced below:
WELCOME BACK SPEECH DELIVERED BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY
(DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, TO SENATORS OF THE 8TH SENATE ON RESUMPTION
FROM THE 2017 END OF YEAR RECESS ON TUESDAY, ON JANUARY 16, 2018.
PROTOCOL.
1. Distinguished colleagues, it
is a privilege and an honour to welcome you all back to work as we embark on
the legislative endeavour that will define our country in the year 2018.
2. Let me take this opportunity
to wish you – my distinguished colleagues, your families and all Nigerians – a
happy new year. I am not unmindful of the sobering fact that the new year has
met many citizens in a reflective mood. Many were on the queue for petrol; many
households are grief-stricken. This mood of reflection is also one from which
no lawmaker is immune; what affects one, affects all. When one part of the body
is hurting, the whole body hurts, and this holds true for the entire nation.
3. We have all been witnesses to
the hardships with which many Nigerians saw in the new year, stuck on fuel
queues tailing from petrol stations in many of our cities. It has been
disheartening to see, especially during the festive period when Nigerians
should have been enjoying carefree time with their loved ones, with enough
petrol in their tanks to make that cherished journey to the various hometowns.
4. We, as representatives of the
people, feel the pain of the people. Things being the way they were, we could
not but respond to the crisis. I therefore had to direct members of the Senate
Investigative Panel on Fuel Scarcity cut short their recess to commence
hearings into the lingering problem; and that work is ongoing. I commend the
committee for their prompt response and the work carried out.
5. We seek the cooperation and
understanding of Nigerians as we try to get to the bottom of this issue. My own
estimation of the fuel scarcity phenomenon is that it is man-made. We thought
we had left the problem of fuel queues firmly in the past in this country, but
sadly, that appears not to be the case. In any event, there is a problem, and
it must be solved. We await the findings of the Investigative Panel on Fuel
Scarcity, firm in our resolve that whoever is responsible must pay the price
for visiting this needless hardship upon our people.
6. Distinguished colleagues, you
will agree with me that even more sober reflection attends the killings in some
parts of the country, particularly recent tragic events in Benue State. We
condemn these killings in the strongest terms, and we declare that mindless
bloodletting has no place in our society. I offer our sincerest condolences to
the people of Benue, and indeed to all who have suffered the loss of their
loved ones as a result of these wanton acts.
7. Human life is sacred. We state
without equivocation that Nigerian life must become sacred. When we fail in our
duty to protect Nigerian lives, it is a tragedy and an indictment on us all. We
as the 8th Senate stand ready to help find solutions to assuage the hurt to
affected parts, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to enthrone peace in
all four corners of this country.
8. Let me state that the 8th
Senate is disturbed by these unfortunate incidents, and we have been for some
time. We were concerned enough to have inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee on
Security in November of last year. And so it was that, with the shocking
reports from Benue, Rivers and other places, the Security Committee members
also cut short their recess to resume sitting, with a view to fast-tracking
their investigations, in order to present an interim report for the Senate’s
consideration immediately on resumption. I really must commend the committee
for their swift action in this regard; and I am happy to note that the Interim
Report is ready for the consideration of this chamber.
9. We are a people-oriented
Senate, and I believe I speak for us all when I pledge that we shall continue
to demonstrate similar dedication to our duties this year, as worthy
representatives of the people who voted us into office.
10. Distinguished colleagues, the
8th Senate has continued its historic run, because by the end of 2017, we had
passed 140 Bills over a period of 30 months. The landmark Economic Bills we
passed, helped to propel the country’s emergence from recession, powering us
upwards in the Ease of Doing Business Report. While the legislative feats of
the year gone by shall go down in the annals of lawmaking in this country, what
is also true is that we cannot lose momentum, nor can we afford to rest on our
oars.
11. Going into the new year, I
can only wish each and every one of us the best as we prepare for the task
ahead. It is a crucial year. As you all know, this, in all probability, will be
the last productive year before we go into the 2019 electioneering period. Not
only is there a need to up the ante in terms of productivity, it is important
we keep our eyes on the big picture. Let us not be caught in the political fray
before due season. To each and every thing under the sun, its own time. This is
Nigeria’s time. Let us devote ourselves to her service. It is therefore
imperative that we speed up consideration on the various bills on which
legislative work remains outstanding – particularly economic bills. Calling for
similar attention are the other parts of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)
related bills still to be passed, namely: the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill
and the Petroleum Host Community Bill.
12. Distinguished colleagues, it
is my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria
and her people, must be uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming
2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or
distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the
trust reposed in us by the people.
13. This is my appeal: it is too
early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger
work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our
agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to
the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am
directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the National
Assembly as a whole, as well as to the Executive and indeed all political
actors.
14. Distinguished colleagues, let
me opine that 2018 will be defined by the collaboration between the two
chambers of the 8th National Assembly as regards the number of items due for
concurrence. We must work to build on the very cordial relationship between the
two chambers as witnessed so far, and elevate the level of cooperation, for the
benefit the people. To this end, I urge you all to reach out to our
counterparts in the House, so that we can fulfil the lawmaking function in the
most expeditious manner. This will help streamline the process – and clear the
way for the passing of various legislations – making for improved synergy and
joined-up working between the two chambers.
15. Currently, distinguished
colleagues, there are two major ongoing issues before us – namely the
Constitutional Amendment process and the 2018 Appropriation Bill. It is
encouraging to see that the Assemblies in the States have already started work
on the Constitutional Amendment; I urge us all to keep a keen eye on
developments on that front. With regard to the 2018 Budget, let me take this
opportunity to give a word of encouragement to the Committee as they work to
ensure the proper conduct of the process.
16. Once more, my distinguished
colleagues, we are a people-oriented Senate. Nigerians already have a measure
of who we are, particularly through our interventions and engagement in areas
such as Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, the Welfare of Nigerian Students
Overseas, and the Drug Abuse Epidemic ravaging through Nigerian Communities. We
will not relent in our efforts in these arears.
17. In conclusion, it bears
reiterating that we cannot waste a moment of this year that rolls its boundless
opportunities out for us. As the legislative arm of government, we must do
everything we can to transform the developmental firmament of this country, to
bring succour to the masses, and to leave our prints in the sands of time.
There is really no other choice. The work is upon us. We can get it done.
18. I wish the entire members of
this chamber – and indeed every one of our countrymen and women – a most
productive and prosperous 2018.
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