Senators defend 15 days recess

dimeji akinloye

August 20, 2015 7:44 PM

Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, said that the National Assembly is not unmindful of the desires of Nigerians to reposition the country.

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Some senators on Thursday, August 20, said in spite of the current six-week recess by the National Assembly, the lawmakers are engage in legislative activities.

The senators, who spoke to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja, said agitation by Nigerians that lawmakers have sat for only 15 days since inauguration is baseless.

Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, said that the National Assembly is not unmindful of the desires of Nigerians to reposition the country.

He explained that the recess will not in any way affect their commitment to their duties as lawmakers.

Ndume said that Nigerians need not to doubt the commitment of members of the assembly, adding that each of the chambers could reconvene to attend to emergency cases while on recess, if need be.

"We have the interest of this country at heart and we are ready to set a record; though we are on recess, we will continue to work behind the scenes,’’ he said.

Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP-Abia North) said that though the six weeks recess was statutory, it was a working period for the lawmakers.

He explained that the seven weeks break earlier embarked upon by the lawmakers was to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC) to settle its problems.

Ohuabunwa added that the period was also used to prepare offices for full take-off of legislative activities.

"It is unfortunate that we went on that break, and I think that was where the problem came and reason was because we needed to get this place fixed and get our arts together.

"The parliament runs a timetable and you know that parliament world over, including Nigeria, the month of August is normally our annual vacation," he said.

He dismissed fears that the recess would slow down the process of governance, adding that the National Assembly would not hesitate to reconvene in the event of any matter of national interest.

"If there is anything urgent, the Assembly would be recalled to take that emergency.

"We are going to be on working holiday; for instance, I have been called upon to represent the Senate somewhere on Aug. 23, so you can see we are working,’’ he said.

On his part, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu North) said the National Assembly was only on recess from plenary.

According to him, plenary is only an aspect of our job and as such the recess should not be misconstrued.

"The Senate is working. You have come to interview me in the office and you can see I have been having meetings.

"We are on recess for only plenary and not from other activities. Yesterday, I attended the meeting of the Ad hoc Committee on Aviation to prepare a template on issues in the sector.

"If I am on vacation you will not see me here. I am working and I will still be here tomorrow.

"People should not mistake plenary for other activities. It is not only when Senate sits that we work,’’ he said.

The lawmaker said it is wrong for Nigerians to assume that they are not working enough, and however, assured that the National Assembly will not relent in its effort to deliver the dividends of democracy.

dimeji akinloye