Nigerian Senate resumption of plenary came today amid the covid-19 pandemic. Senate president Ahmed Lawan explains the reason for resumption.
According to him, it is to enable them continue in their “efforts in the interest of our good health, the well being of our people and the sustainable development of our nation.”
Speaking further in his address, Senate President Lawan said:
“Distinguished colleagues,
“It is a great pleasure to welcome you back to this hallowed chamber. The world has been on lockdown in the last couple of months because of covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has unsettled economies, affected the way we relate to each other and disrupted calendars of activities across different sectors. Government has responded well under the recommendations of scientists and experts
“Our sessions have been interrupted, but we have sustained our interventions and collaborations with other arms and agencies of government in the concerted bid to mitigate the damage from the pandemic.
“We will continue in our efforts in the interest of our good health, the well being of our people and the sustainable development of our nation.
“The senate has convened today to enable us work on solutions and to ensure that the health crisis does not create further problems that might be much more difficult to deal with.
Today’s plenary also afforded members the unified occasion to remember those who have died as a result of the pandemic. Of particular mention was the CoS to President Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari.
In the Senate President’s words,
“This pandemic has killed thousands of citizens across the world. We have also lost many of our Dear compatriots.
“One of them is the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mallam Abba Kyari. We condole with President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on this painful loss, just as we mourn other citizens who have died because of the disease.
“We pray the Almighty Allah will give their families the fortitude to bear the loss and grant them the Aljana Fidaus.
The senate resumption of plenary was also an occasion for the Ahmed Lawan to call for a collaborative effort to combat the coronavirus disease:
“It is our additional prayers that we shall be able to mitigate the continuous spread of the virus, so we can regain our normal life and stay with the onerous task of nation building.
“Let me commend your collective and individual efforts in supporting the people in these uncertain times. Your counsels and gifts during this period are well documented.
“Kindly continue with this support, while educating them on the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene, and to avoid large gatherings. Citizens need to comply with measures like use of face masks and reduction in movements until the virus is gone.
“It is also important we educate them on the guidelines and protocols of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on reporting suspected cases.
“The task before us is imperative and the responsibility of the legislature is even more important because of our closeness to the people.
Nigeria’s economy was also an issue for concern for the upper legislative chamber. To this effect, the senate president said that
“The pandemic has affected our budget for this year, not just because of falling oil prices, but also because it has forced a reduction in the economic activities, leading to an enormous loss of revenue.
“We have been working with the executive on areas of adjustments for a more realistic implementation, and our resumption today will lead to a quicker resolution of some of our decisions.
“We are confident that we shall soon overcome this crisis, like the previous health emergencies. All hands will however, have to be on deck to register a quicker and more resounding success.”
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