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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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N/Assembly shelves debate on NLC billPAUL MUMEH, RICHARD IHEDIWA
APPARENTLY hamstrung by spate of public criticisms, the National Assembly has shelved the consideration, at today�s emergency sitting, of a bill sent by President Olusegun Obasanjo seeking to decentralise the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The decision to de-list the bill from the order paper of the two chambers, it was learnt, was reached in a meeting on Monday, of key officers of the National Assembly following feelers that the public might not take kindly to the passage of the bill. A source close to the leadership hinted that legis-lators at the meeting as well as parliamentary bureaucrats, prevailed on the principal officers to shelve debate on the bill as it appeared to be ill-timed and unpopular at the moment. The consideration of the bill, they had insisted, would send a wrong signal, especially as the NLC and the Federal Government are currently engaged in a face-off over the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products. The source, however, disclosed that the bill had initially been listed for first reading in both chambers at today�s sitting but was dropped after that meeting. But speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, Senate Leader, Dalhatu Tafida, said the issue was not listed for deliberation during today�s plenary sitting, adding that he had not even seen the controversial bill. He, however, reiterated that the National Assembly was reconvening to consider issues of urgent national importance which included the approval of contingency fund for the execution of the emergency rule in Plateau State. Stating that the National Assembly now acts as Plateau State House of Assembly, Tafida said appropriations must be made to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in that state, adding that most civil servants there have not received their salaries for the past 17 months. On the issue of the current fuel crisis in the country, Tafida said the National Assembly would not relent in its commitment to ensure a stable fuel price regime in the country. He, however, insisted that the solution to the crisis only lies in the revitalisation of the nation�s refineries to ensure adequate domestic supply at acceptable prices. Also answering questions from students of Archbishop Bright Educational Centre, Port Harcourt, who were on education tour of the National Assembly, Senate leader Tafida stated that the prevailing fuel price regime was as a result of globalisation.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 |
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