Senate to interface between FG, labour

The Senate on Wednesday directed its Committee on Labour to immediately interface with the Federal Government and labour to find immediate solution to the on-going strike by the Ayuba-Wabba-led NLC over the increase in pump price of petrol.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, who presided over plenary, said the lawmakers arrived at the decision after an hour-long executive session.

Ekwerenmadu said the senate was interested in ensuring that Nigerians do not suffer hardship as a result of the strike.

"The Senate in a closed door session deliberated on the nationwide strike by labour and ways of resolving the issues to avoid untold hardships to Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLC began a nationwide strike on Wednesday to protest the increase in the pump price of petrol.

A faction of the NLC and some civil society groups, however, declined to join the strike action.

NAN also reports that the National Assembly was a bee-hive of activities, with the car parks filled to capacity.

NAN further reports that the senate considered five bills for first reading after the closed door session.

The bills considered are National Institute of Credit Administrators Bill 2016 by Sen. Ben Bruce (PDP-Bayelsa East) and Chartered Institute of Finance and Control Bill 2016 by Sen. David Umaru (APC-Niger East).

Others are Insurance Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill 2016 sponsored by Sen. Umaru Kurfi and National Health Insurance Act CAP 2003 (Repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2016, sponsored by Sen. Olarenwaju Tejuoso (APC-Ogun Central).

The Senate also considered for first reading the Engineering Council Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 jointly sponsored by Sen. Ibrahim Gobir (APC-Sokoto East) and Sen. Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue North-East).