The Senate on Thursday passed the Immigration Act 1963 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2015, and Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (Fiscal Incentives, Assurances and Guarantees) Bill 2015.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu (APC-Kebbi Central), who took the lead debate, said the bill would help in supplementing the United Nations convention against transnational organisation crime.

He added that the bill would help to tackle problems associated with passports, visas, resident permits, among others.

According to him, “This bill sets out the provision for matters relating to immigration, passports, visas, resident permits and work permits. It also sets out to smuggling of immigrants into and from Nigeria.”

The Automotive bill, sponsored by the Chairman Senate Committee on Investment, Sen. Esther Nenadi (PDP-Kaduna South), would reduce cost of importation of automobiles.

It is meant to create an atmosphere conducive for stakeholders in the industry to fully take advantage of government incentives with a view to creating employment opportunities, among other things.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, who presided over plenary, said the passage of the bills would go a long way in solving some problems relating to immigration and automotive industry.

He called for implementation of the bills, when signed into law with a view to repositioning the economy, saying: “For us to be operating 1963 in 2015 in an area as sensitive as immigration is very worrisome. I am sure we have saved ourselves of this embarrassment of outdated Act in the modern day Nigeria.

“So, the passage of the Bill will help us to update the law relating to immigration in Nigeria in accordance with best practices. I also congratulate you all for passing the Automotive Industry Bill, and I urge the committee to ensure that the Bill becomes fully operational so that we enjoy the benefits therein.”

Also yesterday, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Malam Munir Gwarzo as the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The confirmation followed the consideration of the Senate Committee on Capital Market.

SEC said in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday that the Committee, headed by Sen. Ayo Adeseun, had earlier screened

Gwarzo and described him as the best candidate for the position.

The statement noted that the Committee had earlier expressed satisfaction with Gwarzo's nomination and therefore called on the whole house to confirm his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It stated that after his unanimous support and confirmation by senators, the Senate President, David Mark, described Gwarzo as a round peg in a round hole.

Mark, the statement noted, urged Gwarzo to bring his experience to bear on the development of the nation’s capital market.

Gwarzo, 52, and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), attended Bayero University Kano and graduated with Bachelors Degree in Economics in 1987.

He also attended University of Birmingham in the UK for post graduate course in Development Finance in 1991.

His working career spans a period of 25 years in various organisations namely; Ministry of Trade, Kano State, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Century Merchant Bank Ltd, Empire Securities Ltd, SEC, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and MTL Global Investment Ltd, prior to joining the Board of SEC.

He had the unique opportunity of working as an operator and regulator in both the primary and secondary markets of the Nigerian capital market for 20 years.

•Photo shows the Senate