Why Senate Resumed Plenary Despite COVID-19 – Ahmad Lawan

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, explained why the upper legislative chamber had to resume plenary despite rising cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The upper legislative chamber had adjourned plenary on March 24 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and was scheduled to resume on April 7 but deferred the resumption until April 28.

Lawan said the federal lawmakers had to resume sitting to ensure the health crisis brought about by COVID-19 did not degenerate and affect other sectors of the economy.

The Senate President stated these in a speech he delivered to welcome the lawmakers back from the recess.

Lawan said the lawmakers reconvened, “to enable us (Senate) to sustain work on solutions and to ensure that the health crisis does not create further problems that might be much more difficult to deal with.”

He expressed concern that “the pandemic has affected our budget for this year, not just because of falling oil prices, but also because it has forced a reduction in economic activities, leading to an enormous loss of revenue.

“We are confident that we shall soon overcome this crisis, like previous health emergencies. All hands will however have to be on deck to register a quicker and more resounding success,” the Senate President assured.

Lawan also condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, as well as others who have lost their loved ones to the virus.

“We have also lost many of our dear compatriots. One of them is the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mallam Abba Kyari. We condole with President Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR) on this painful loss, just as we mourn other citizens who have died because of the disease.”

He added that, “Citizens need to comply with measures like use of facial mask and reduction in movements until the virus is gone.

“It is also important we educate them on the guidelines and protocols of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on reporting suspected cases.

“The task before us is imperative and the responsibility of the legislator is even more important because of our closeness to the people.”

Meanwhile, on resumption, the Senate speedily approved President Buhari’s request to borrow N850 billion from the domestic capital market to fund some prohects in the 2020 budget.