Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the National Assembly will work hard to ensure the passing of the Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), before the end of 2021.
The Senate President disclosed this in a briefing with State House correspondents after President Buhari signed the 2021 Appropriation Bill into law in Abuja on Thursday.
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Lawan added that the House of Assembly was committed to getting both bills passed and also said that insecurity would be a matter of concern for the House in 2021.
“In the National Assembly, we have three or four critical things to do from January,” he said.“First of all, the Petroleum Industry Bill, the PIB which we intend to work so assiduously to ensure that we pass it within the first quarter of next year, but if we can’t, then, before the end of 2021.
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“Similarly and equally important is to pass the Electoral Act Amendment. This is also to ensure that we continue to refine our electoral processes so that Nigerians when they vote, their votes will continue to count, and of course, the Constitution Amendment that we always undertake.
“Security is a major issue and it is something that the executive and the legislature will continue to work together to ensure that we address it. In fact, there is nothing more important than security today in this country,” he added.
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Lawan also said that the Senate was willing to work with the Executive to improve Nigeria’s economy and security in 2021.
“We will give Mr President the kind of support that he requires to make Nigeria a better place, to make Nigeria a safer place and to make the economy of Nigeria work for every Nigerian,” he said.
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What you should know about the PIB and Electoral act
- Nairametrics reported in November 2020 that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
- The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Sylva, disclosed that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) might be passed into law by the first quarter of 2021.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also stated that the introduction of technology enhanced the credibility of elections in Nigeria and that it was working with the National Assembly to introduce reforms to Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
