By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Two days into the new legislative week, the House of Representatives chamber appeared scanty as the Deputy Speaker presided over the plenary session.
During the proceedings, lawmakers focused on key national issues, notably the abandoned $35 million modular refinery project in Brass, Bayelsa State, four years after substantial financial commitments were made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB),
The House mandated the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream and Downstream) and Legislative Compliance to investigate the circumstances surrounding the $35 million expenditure, noting the absence of any visible progress to justify such an investment.
The House also considered and adopted a motion sponsored by Hon. David Zakaria, calling for the creation of a specific budget line for the Occupational Safety and Health Programme across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
In another development, lawmakers urged the stoppage and mitigation of risks associated with the use of hazardous pesticides across the country.
The House further approved a motion on the flagrant abuse of due process, violation of local content laws, disobedience to the Petroleum Industry Act, and non-compliance with tax regulations by oil and gas companies operating in Imo State.
Meanwhile, the House approved the report on a Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Police Force Pension Board, which will be responsible for administering the pension scheme for officers and personnel of the Force, and exempting the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme under the Pension Reform Act, 2014.
