Senate Suspends Public Hearings Over Coronavirus

In the wake of Nigeria’s confirmation of five new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday, the Senate has announced suspension of all public hearings and its other activities.

The Senate also said its chamber would no longer be open to visitors from March 24, 2020.

The upper legislative chamber said the move was part of measures to prevent the outbreak of Coronavirus in the National Assembly complex.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, announced this shortly after a closed-door session that lasted for over one hour.

The Senate also passed five bills for first reading during plenary.

The bills are, Federal College of Education Shagari Establishment Bill 2020 sponsored by Sen. Ibrahim Danbaba (PDP Sokoto- South ), Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority Act Amendment Bill 2020 by Sen. Akpan Bassey (PDP -Akwa Ibom North -East).

Others are, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Nigeria Establishment Bill by Sen.Ibrahim Oloriebe (APC Kwara- Central) among others.

It also received the report of the Committee on Power on addressing Nigerian’s Power Problems.

The report, which was laid by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Gabriel Suswam (PDP-Benue North-East) would be considered by the Senate March 24.