Senate Approves Science, Tech Varsity for FCT

* Steps down debate on electoral amendment bill

* Confirms Durnnguwa as NPC commissioner

By Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate on Thursday approved the establishment of a Science and Technology University for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It equally stood down the consideration of the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the INEC Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Senate’s approval of the Science and Technology University for the FCT is coming 17 months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had at one of its weekly meetings in May 2017 approved the establishment of the specialised university in Abaji.

Presenting the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND at plenary for the establishment of the university , its Chairman, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), urged the Senate to receive and consider the report of the committee for the establishment of FCT University of Science and Technology (Est, etc) Bill, 2018.

He urged his colleagues to approve the establishment of the university because the location is central and will generate employment opportunities for the residents of Abaji and its environ.

Senator Philip Aduda (PDP FCT), who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university, told newsmen after plenary that all was set for the take-off of the university by next academic session.

He disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get similar passage in the House of Representatives for the required presidential assent.

According to him, 500 hectares of land had already been provided for the university in Abaji Area Council of the FCT aside blocks of classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCTA.

“As the senator representing FCT and the sponsor of this bill, I’m very elated with its passage today in the Senate and happy to inform you that required concurrence from the House of Representatives will be carried out soonest for the awaiting presidential assent being a project conceived and approved by the federal government in May last year.

“FCT needs a university of its own outside the University of Abuja established in 1988 to cater for more and more people seeking for university education within the territory and in Nigeria at large,” he said.

Also Thursday, the Senate stood down
the consideration of its Committee on INEC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said the Senate had to defer debate on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to another day so as to give the committee headed by Senator Suleiman Nazif ( PDP Bauchi North) enough time to do a thorough legislative work on the Bill.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in agreeing with Lawan, then said the committee’s report will be stood down till next Tuesday.

Saraki said: “The Electoral Act Amendment Bill will now be presented at plenary by INEC committee on Tuesday.”

The Senate after a heated debate also Thursday confirmed the appointment of Dr. Abdulmalik Durnnguwa as the Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC).

Some senators had faulted the presentation of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (PDP Kaduna North), about the credentials of Durnnguwa while presenting him for confirmation.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujinmi, wondered how the nominee can obtain his primary school leaving certificate at the age of 10.

The Senate President quickly interjected and said: “We have passed that stage, let’s do the needful as the committee has done its work.”

He thereafter put the nominee’s name into voice vote and the ‘ayes’ had it.

Earlier, the Senate had gone into a close-door session upon resumption of plenary immediately after Saraki said the opening prayer at 11.45 am.

At the end of the session that lasted for only 15 minutes, Saraki said the session discussed issues of national importance as it affects the National Assembly in general and Senate in particular.