Senate: Ministerial Screening To Be Streamed Live

BEVERLY HILLS, October 10, (THEWILL) – The Senate said on Saturday that the screening and confirmation process of the first batch of ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari shall be streamed live on the National Assembly website: www.nass.gov.ng and www.senate.gov.ng

THEWILL recalls that on Friday, the Senate, through its official Twitter account @NGRSenate, had also announced that the general public would be able to send in questions they would like to ask nominees by forwarding same to their Senators using the hashtag: #MinisterialScreening.

A statement issued Saturday by Bamikole Omishore , the Special Assistant on New Media to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, however said all questions must be received before 5pm on Monday.

According to the statement, the @NGRSenate Twitter handle will also be providing live tweets throughout the screening process.

The decision to stream the screening live, the statement added, is premised on the Senate President's pledge to reform the Senate and make its processes more transparent, inclusive and visible by employing e-Parliamentary technology in the Upper Chambers.

“Since then, the Senate President has tasked the Committee on Rules and Business to develop an e-Parliamentary system that can be employed at Senate Plenary sessions,” the statement said, adding “This screening will create an avenue for Nigerians from all works of life to partake in governance, as the bridge between representatives and constituents will be bridged; with Senators asking questions sourced from Nigerians on Social Media. Additionally, the submitted resumes of candidates will be made available in the public space for Nigerians to examine.

“Bloggers and news organizations that are interested in Live Blogging or Live Tweeting, or those interested in plugging into the livestreaming of the Ministerial screening are asked to contact the New Media Office of the Senate President for entry passes to the National Assembly, and the Senate gallery. All requests must be submitted by 5pm on Monday.”