By HENRY UMORU

After its 32-day annual recess, the Senate will resume today to face the challenges of legislating for the country and ensuring that good governance is in place.

David Mark

In line with the Senate legislative Calendar, the House adjourned on July 28, 2011 for its annual holiday. Some senators used the recess to brainstorm with their constituents, feel the impulse of the people and attend meetings. It was also an opportunity for some others to seek God’s intervention during the Ramadan fast and Lesser Hajj, which culminated in the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

For others, especially the Senator Ahmad Lawan led ad-hoc committee, it was an opportunity to probe the privatization activities of the Federal Government companies by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE from 1999 till date. It was quite a busy period as it organised the one week public hearing in Hearing Room one with visits to company sites.

The seven- man panel used the holiday period to work because it must meet the four-week deadline it was given to carry out the task.

For another set of senators, it was a period to scheme for chairmanship positions of ‘juicy’ committees. And the holiday gave the Selection Committee an apple time to make up the list of members of the various standing Senate Committees.

As the Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark-led Seventh Senate resumes today, there are various issues especially the unfinished jobs that must be done.

One of the major assignments that must be accomplished today before the very eyes of the 109 Senators is the unfolding of members of the standing Committees.

It is a major issue because it was expected that eight weeks into its inauguration and before the Senate adjourned on July 28, the committees would have been put in place.

The Standing Committees form the engine room of the Senate and that explains the high expectations. Senate President Mark chairs the Selection Committee which is made up of 10 members of the Body of Principal Officers of the Senate.

After much suspense, politicking, scheming, intrigues, maneuverings and lobbies among others, today is the long awaited day.

The non-release of the committees became worrisome to the Senators and Nigerians because in line with parliamentary tradition, Senators get to know the Committee Chairmen and members before going on the annual recess.

Considering the delay, it is hoped that the Selection panel had done a tidy job of selecting the right persons to head various committees. It is also hoped that areas of specialization were equally considered, just as the geo-political zones and party affiliation are expected to have played significant roles.

Today, Senators will also be confronted with the problem of office accommodation as Julius Berger PLC is still at work to complete the Senate Extension, that will now enable each Senator employ the five legislative aides he or she is entitled to and paid for by the National Assembly Commission.

Essentially, the Senators will need synergy among themselves to move the country forward owing to the fact that PDP prides itself with 71 Senators, ACN 18, ANPP 7; LP 3; DPP,1; CPC 7 and APGA 1. They must work together.

Again, the lawmakers will have to discuss the issue of terrorism especially the bombing of the UN House that took place when they were on break even though the Senate President, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba had all reacted and condemned the act.

As a national issue, the Senate will raise it and also find ways of empowering the security agencies if they must effectively carry out the assignment of protecting lives and property of the people.

Another major area of concern, which has become almost a daily exercise is the recurring killings in Plateau State. the killings pose a great danger to the nation’s democracy.

While on recess, there was the flood disaster that unleashed havoc on residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Senators are expected to raise it especially the Senators from Oyo state and it may then become a matter of discourse by other Senators.

It is expected that the Senator Lawan-led Committee would submit its report before the Senate for discussion. Other members of the Committee are Senators Philip Tanimu Aduda; Babafemi Ojudu, Ekiti Central; Mohammed Ali Ndume, Borno South; Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta North; Hope Uzodinma, Imo West and Mohammadu Magoro, Kebbi.

Another issue waiting for the Senate as it resumes today is the proposed bill forsix-year single term for the President and governors, which President Goodluck Jonathan may have concluded arrangements to send to the Senate.

The President will also send to the Senate President nominees for confirmation.

Another matter is the issue of independence of the Legislature against the backdrop that the legislators want their funds to be placed on first line charge like the Judiciary.

There is also the issue of state creation, which may preoccupy the Senate.

The President is also expected to send a Ministerial nominee from Taraba State for confirmation following its refusal to clear Dr. Obadiah Ando, the nominee from the state when others were cleared and confirmed following some irreconcilable differences in his home state.

As the Senate resumes today and to work for 38 days before from November 4 for the Ed-el Kabir, one expects that the Senate with very vibrant, young and intelligent members, and ranking members would look at bills and motions with serious concern and place Nigeria above party consideration.