The Senate reconvened today after some weeks’ break and was presented with some new bills for the first reading. They are The In-Vitro Fertilisation Bill; The Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill; The National Sports Commission Bill; The Nigerian Football Federation (Establishments etc.) Bill); The National Sports Commission (Establishment etc.) Bill; and The Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc.) Amendment Act.

Additionally, the Senate also considered some pivotal bills for the second reading.

The first was “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Commission for Conciliation and Arbitration, National Labour Council, the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions, etc.” to administer the provisions of Labour Laws in Nigeria and for matters connected therewith. The second bill was “A Bill for and Act to Provide for the establishment of a Defence Space Agency, and for other matters connected therewith.”

Earlier, the upper house had gone into a 45 minutes executive session to discuss issues relating to the 2016 Budget, the smooth running of the National Assembly, and some petitions raised on the floor of the red chamber.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a petition regarding unlawful allocation of lands meant for green areas but now allocated for building houses, while Senator Yele Omogunwa raised a petition from his constituents over unlawful dismissal.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, referred the petitions to the committee on Ethics Privileges and Public Petitions, directing it to report back in two weeks.

Prayers and resolutions were also adopted and the Senate observed one minute silence for late Senator Amadi Okoroafor, condoling with the people of Abia State on his demise.

It also condoned the family and announced a delegation to of Senators Biodun Olujimi, Danjuma La’ah, Nazif Suleiman, Baba Kaka Bashir and Barnabas Gemade to convey its condolences to the family.

•Photo shows the Senate in session.

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