THE President of theSenate, Mr DavidMark, on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the statement that people should move from where they reside to their regions of birth on the basis of faith and ethnicity is unpatriotic and portends danger to 'our corporate existence and a clear invitation to anarchy.'It will be recalled that the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram recently ordered southerners residing in the northern part of the country to relocate immediately or risk being killed.Mark stated that such reckless utterances endangered national unity, adding that current security challenges had reinforced the need 'to aggressively pursue economic development and simultaneously implement the war on terrorism'The Senate president, who stated this in a welcome address during the resumption after the Christmas and the New Year break, appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace, insisting that it is the surest and only way for genuine development.According to him, 'at this very difficult time, there are those that will like to lead us to believe that our country has reached the precipice or that the country is unstable. Challenges are normal in life but we must learn to act decisively when they arise. Let us not despair.'He reminded his colleagues that 'we have reconvened at a trying period in our nation's history. We are confronted by security challenges in different parts of the country, which are testing our collective resolve to live together as a united indivisible nation.'The Christmas Day bomb attack at Saint Theresa's Catholic Church at Madalla and other attacks in different parts of the country, especially the North-East which have claimed many innocent lives represent the most daring and costly attack by terrorists on fellow Nigerians.'The attacks have instilled fear in the minds of ordinary Nigerians and threatened to impede the exercise of nation building. Once again, our tested cultural and religious values, which emphasise respect for life, are being eroded by these unscrupulous elements among us.'The Senate, during the plenary, however, observed a minute silence in respect of those who lost their lives in the Madalla bomb attack.On the fuel subsidy removal, he said the decision had not been popularly received by Nigerians, who considered it a bitter pill to swallow, noting that the economic argument in support of fuel subsidy removal was compelling, 'while the political and social imperatives must also be considered.'He informed that government was compelled by a genuine drive to transform the country and expand opportunities for economic growth.Mark, however, assured Nigerians that the Senate would not shy away from using its legislative instrument to punish all those found to have abused the subsidy proceeds.In order to overcome the impasse that followed the removal, he said, 'it is imperative that we engage each other honestly on this issue. In line with this, during the recess, I directed the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity to interface with labour groups. I had also urged individual Senators to engage with labour and civil society organisations.'The Senate leadership has also been interfacing with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, as well as the executive. These talks are ongoing and I hope that it will lead to an outcome that will be in the best interest of Nigerians.'The Senate, however, disappointed Nigerians as it did not discuss the issue of subsidy removal but adjourned till Wednesday, a few minutes after the Senate president concluded his welcome address.The Senate which had earlier held a closed session and reported to have discussed matter of national importance, specifically pushed till Wednesday, the discussion on the state of security raised by the Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.The adjournment, according to the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma- Egba, was to allow the continuation of discussion with labour leaders on the nationwide strike by the leadership of the Senate.Ndoma-Egba, however, informed that 'where we are now has very little to do with whether we support subsidy or we did not support subsidy. The point where we are today is for Nigeria to get working and that is the issue of the moment.He added that 'Nigeria has to work, and we have to resolve that issue,' noting that it is when Nigeria is working again that 'we will know whether we need subsidy or not and like I said,we are engaging every key sector in this negotiation and we engaging the executive arm of government.
Click here to read full news..
