Sen. Ned Nwoko Says 6 Bills Awaiting Senate Action Will Stimulate Nigeria’s Political, Economic, Social wellbeing
Sen. Ned Nwoko’s Six Bills Poised To Address Political, Economic Issues in Nigeria
The Senator representing Delta North senatorial district of Delta State at the 10th senate, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has unveiled six bills he sponsored at the Senate awaiting Senate’s approval.
The lawmaker said the six bills when passed by the Senate and signed into law will advance growth and deepen the country’s political, economic and Social wellbeing.
He added that they will address critical issues and seek to improve various aspects of Nigerian society.
They include, a bill for an act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap. C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 for the creation of Anioma State and for matters connected therewith, a bill for an act to establish the National Talent, Rehabilitation and Integration Agency, and for related matters and a bill for an act to alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, No. 7, to prohibit the discriminatory use of foreign currency payment for remuneration and for matters connected therewith.
The rest three are, a bill for an act to alter the Electoral Act, 2022 (as altered) to provide for the issuance of permanent voter card at the point of registration and for related matters, a bill for an act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the mandatory first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) training at homes, schools, institutions and offices, and the adoption of the Good Samaritan Laws and matters connected therewith, 2024 and a bill for an act to alter the 1999 constitution (as altered) to provide for diaspora voting and for related matters.
Addressing the press in Abuja on Friday, Senator Nwoko noted that the bills cover a wide range of topics, including compulsory professional indemnity, banks’ capitalization, health insurance, equity, cashless asset acquisition, self-defence and firearm ownership regulation, and establishing laws governing the election of Nigerians into the ECOWAS Parliament.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the unconstitutional and arbitrary use of foreign currencies for transactions in Nigeria.
According to the lawmaker, such acts not only devalue the local currency Naira, but also undermine the nation’s sovereignty as an independent nation.
He said: “It gives me great concern that our currency is only valuable within Nigeria. When the Europeans, Americans, French and other foreign multinationals transact businesses in Nigeria, they make payment with the US dollars, pounds, or Euros, but when Nigerians want to transact any kind of business, they are compelled to use the host countries currency, this has to stop. Our currency is our pride, it is a symbol of our sovereignty and territorial integrity which we must guard, extol and give adequate reverence we can’t continue to disregard and disrespect our currency”.
He added, “You can see that the president is already keying into this bill by approving the sale of crude oil using the Naira which the NNPCL has already started its implementation. If we stop the use of dollars and other foreign currencies in Nigeria, it will strengthen the naira and improve its value”.
He alleged that suspected fraudsters attempted to defraud him by leveraging on his interest in malaria eradication in Africa.
However, the case has now been resolved in his favour as a UK court has cleared him of any wrongdoing and ordered that his money be released to him within 7 days.
Earlier at the press conference, the communication coordinator for the Senator, Hon. Mrs Gloria Okolugbo enumerated the achievements of the senator and praised his selfless sacrifices and passion towards delivering the dividends of good representation to his constituency and the country as a whole.
“I have been working with the senator since he was elected into the red chamber, I believe that he has done so well in terms of delivering good governance to his people. He is a grass root politician and has been in the forefront of advocating for anything that will better the lives of his people.
“He has attracted investment and infrastructure to his constituency to the tune of over 3.5 billion naira within just one year and seven months into the Senate. The bills he is proposing, if passed will help Nigeria in her quest for political and economic recovery which is one of the hallmarks of President Bola Tinubu’s administration”, she stated.
