The Senate on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 deliberated upon and passed for second reading the following:
1) A
Bill for an Act to Amend the National Lottery Act 2005 to make
provisions for the effective operations of Lottery in Nigeria and for
related matters, 2016 (S.B. 227), sponsored by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi
West).
Debating the general principles of the
Bill, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu submitted that it is
high time Nigerians use their thinking cans by not under-estimating the
power behind lottery business in the country, especially in using it to
develop the various sectors of the nation’s economy.
Sen.
Ekweremadu added that the Lottery business, if well utilized can be used
to finance the development of social infrastructure across the country.
He stressed that it could be used to generate revenue for the
construction of good roads, effective healthcare, efficient security and
other social amenities.
While, the Senate
Leader, Sen. Muhammed Ali Ndume was of the view that the Lottery
business, if well-articulated would boost the revenue strength of the
country, he urged his colleagues to accord the Bill the necessary
support to scale through second reading.
The Senate President,
Bukola Saraki also reiterated the position of his Deputy, Sen.
Ekweremadu, stating it could be used to fund social infrastructure like
roads, hospitals, schools, sports, public utilities and provide
employment opportunities for the country’s unemployed youths as well as
cater for the nation’s IDPs.
The Bill sailed
through second reading when it was placed on voice vote and has been
referred to the Senate Committee on Sports and Youths Development, to
report back in four weeks.
2) A
Bill for an Act to Amend the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
(JAMB) Act; and for other matters connected therewith, 2016 (S.B. 245),
sponsored by Sen. Joshua Lidani (Gombe South). The Bill having scaled
through second reading has been referred to the Senate Committee on
Tertiary Education and Tetfund, to report back in four weeks.
Converse,
“A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the National
Research and Innovation Council and matters related thereto, 2016
(S.B.239)”, sponsored by Sen. David Umaru (Niger East) was not that
lucky as the legislation was withdrawn midway into its debate by its
sponsor. It was withdrawn in order make further legislative input and
consultations, a position which other distinguished Senators supported.
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