By Godwin Oritse

The harsh economic situation in the country is beginning to take its toll on the nation’s legislative arm of government as paucity of funds has stalled the public hearing of the Ports and Harbours Bill.

Sources close to the National Assembly said the committee had to postpone indefinitely the hearing on the Bill, which should have held on July 19, 2016 due to the non-availability of funds to execute the exercise.

Although, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Alhaji Ahmed Yerima could not be reached for comments but the National Assembly sources told Vanguard that the 8th National Assembly had seen about 685 bills through first reading, adding that about 416 of these bills had been referred to different committees for further legislative action.

The source explained that no two public hearings can cost the same, adding that sometimes, the Committee makes use of external consultants to get information.

Ir will be recalled that the Port and Harbours bill was first brought to the House in 2006 the same time with the Act establishing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

Effort to have comment from the Clerk of the Committee Mr. Funmilayo Olajide, who prepare budgets for public hearings   was futile as calls to his phone were not answered