The Nigerian Senate has said the Red Chamber recorded significant achievements in three years, noting a major distraction with the controversies that trailed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said this on Tuesday as the 10th Senate marks third anniversary, describing the period of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as challenging to the legislative duties of the chamber.
Senator Bamidele noted that the Senate came under criticisms as the controversy created the impression of disunity within the chamber and generated questions about respect for gender issues and institutional cohesion.
He added that the development overshadowed the Senate’s efforts to make laws and carry out oversight functions aimed at promoting good governance.
However, despite the challenges, the Senate Leader maintained that the 10th Senate has recorded significant achievements, particularly in supporting economic reforms and stabilizing key sectors of the economy.
He pointed to the passage of tax reform legislation, describing the measures as revolutionary and capable of boosting government revenue and strengthening the non-oil sector in the years ahead.
According to him, the Senate also worked closely with the executive arm of government to review laws affecting the banking, finance, foreign exchange and security sectors in a bid to enhance economic stability.
Bamidele also cited his sponsorship of the legislation that restored Nigeria’s former national anthem, describing it as one of the landmark laws passed during the life of the current Senate.
Bamidele further highlighted legislative interventions in agriculture, education and health, noting that lawmakers have enacted laws targeted at national development and improved service delivery.
On his personal legislative contributions, the Senate Leader disclosed that he has sponsored more than 70 bills since the inauguration of the 10th Senate, with over half of them being private member bills.
He said several of the bills have resulted in the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions, including universities focused on agriculture, technology and development studies.
He expressed confidence that the reforms initiated by the 10th Senate would have a lasting impact on governance, economic growth and national development.
