Poor Attendance Stalls Consideration of Constitution Review Report In Senate

BEVERLY HILLS, October 15, (THEWILL) – The Senate on Wednesday deferred further consideration of the Constitution review report to Tuesday, next week due to poor attendance by  senators at the plenary session.

Senate rules provides that the upper chamber must form a quorum of two thirds before any bill is passed. The senators at the day's sitting failed to form the required forum to enable them  discuss  the report which borders of the amendment of the 1999 constitution.

The on-going constitutional amendment is regarded as the most inclusive and consultative process ever undertaken by the National Assembly with alterations made to about 71 Sections of the Constitution

Senate President David Mark decried  the poor attendance by Senators noting that the constitution review is a very important issue that affects every Nigerian.

Senator Mark accordingly appealed to his colleagues to be around next week and urged the senators present to pass the message to their other colleagues

Meanwhile, the Senate passed for a second reading a Bill for an act to regulate the business of equipment leasing in Nigeria.

Sponsor of the bill,  Senator Ita Enang,  said globally,  equipment leasing is recognised and established as a creative financing alternative that is being used to meet the world's equipment needs and many developing countries are equally using leasing to stimulate investment and create jobs.

The Senate also considered and adopted a report of the Conference Commitee on discrimination against Persons with Disabilities  (Prohibition) Bill.

EMMA UCHE, ABUJA