Darfur: Senate Okays Obasanjo's Troops Deployment
From Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja
The Senate yesterday brushed aside the un-preparedness of its Committee on Defence to present a report on the deployment of troops as part of the African Union (AU) Protection Force to Darfur and granted President Olusegun Obasanjo anticipatory approval to deploy the troops.
Defence Committee chairman, Senator Fidelis Okoro, had requested that the committee be given up till next Tuesday to present its report noting that the committee had a date with the Service Chiefs of the various formations that would be involved in the protection force.
But the Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, noting the urgency of the deployment, put the question in respect of whether Obasanjo should be allowed to deploy the troops while the report of the committee would come on Tuesday and this was carried without a dissent.
Speaking Senator Tunde Ogbeha PDP, Kogi West, noted that, "the Commander-in-Chief before taking the decision to deploy the troops knew about their level of readiness and fitness to carryout the protection force."
Senator David Mark PDP, Benue South however noted that, "it's one thing to send troops out and it is another thing to take care of them. The situation of our troops outside here has become embarrassing. But in spite of the anticipatory approval, we consider it necessary to discuss the logistics with the ministry".
Senator Ewa Henshaw (PDP, Cross River) also urged the Senate to "consider the implications of sending our troops outside without looking at our economic situation," while the Senate Minority Leader argued that, "the Constitution says we can't grant the deployment of troops without Constitutional approval. It is not anticipatory approval. I want us to ensure that we no longer grant anticipatory approval to issues like this."
But Wabara disagreed explaining that, "approval is approval whether anticipatory or not. I sought the leave of the Senate and I got the approval," while Senator Isa Maina (PDP, FCT) justified Obasanjo's request on grounds that "in all democracies, sometimes political heads of state yield to political pressure," he however noted that "the responsibility of the Senate is to find out so many things especially has troops been sent properly?
Has adequate arrangement as regards catering for them bee done? Even though approval has been given, we should allow Senate to do the proper thing. Nigeria needs to do something about Darfur but we should ensure they are properly done," he said.
Also yesterday, the Senate passed the Electric Power Sector Reform Bill 2004 which sought to provide for the formation of companies to take over the functions, assets, liabilities and staff of the National Electric Power Authority to develop competitive electricity markets.
The bill also established the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, provide for the licensing and regulation of the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to enforce such matters as performance standards; consumer rights and obligations, to provide for the determination of profits and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.
Also, the bill gave powers to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to establish companies which should be incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission as limited liability companies to take over the present functions, assets, liabilities and staff of NEPA, among others.
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