Bukola Saraki on Tuesday urged the International Oil

Bukola Saraki on Tuesday urged the International Oil
Companies and Oil Producers Trade Section not to
induce lawmakers during consideration of PIB
- Saraki made it clear to all lawmakers involved in the
process to live above board
- He also called on the leadership of the OIC/OPTS to
report any lawmaker who seeks any personal favour
when the process of passing the bills
President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola
Saraki on Tuesday, May 8, urged the
International Oil Companies and Oil Producers
Trade Section (IOC/OPTS) operating in the
country not to induce lawmakers during the
consideration of other sections of the Petroleum
Industry Bill.
The fiscal and host communities bills, a
components of the Petroleum Industry Bill is
currently before the national assembly for
consideration and passage.
Saraki who stated this when the leadership of the
IOC/OPTS visited him in Abuja.

According to a statement by his chief press
secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, he said that
the leadership of the 8th national assembly has
made it clear to all lawmakers involved in the
process to live above board.
He called on the leadership of the OIC/OPTS to
report any lawmaker who seeks any personal
favour when the process of passing the bills
commences this month of May.
"Let me also use these opportunity to just make some
ground rules clear. We as the 8th national assembly - I told
you at the beginning that the two houses will be on the
same position on the remaining Bills. I think we have
shown that on the first bill we passed.
Bukola Saraki @bukolasaraki 20h
Replying to @bukolasaraki
The National Assembly leadership
has made it clear to everyone
involved that  the passage of the
#PIB Fiscal and Host Community
Bills must be a transparent process.
We are not going to tolerate any
hanky-panky. pic.twitter.com/
lPQ2FLPNXV
Bukola Saraki
@bukolasaraki
We must ensure that everything is above board
because the Host Community Bill and the Fiscal
Responsibility Bills are laws that will impact the lives
of many generations of Nigerians. Therefore, we must
make sure that it is done properly in our time.
pic.twitter.com/FEX1zbvg8B
7:29 PM - May 8, 2018
57 48 people are talking about this
"I am confident that for these other bills too, we will do the
same. I want to assure you that it is in our own interest and
the leadership has made it clear to all the members
involved that this must be a transparent process.
"We are doing it in the interest of the country. Leadership is
not going to tolerate any hanky-panky. No favours. No gifts.
Nothing must be given to get this work done.
"And we want to mandate you that if you see any of these
you should be able to bring it to the attention of the
leadership. All we want to see is a Bill that is in the interest
of Nigeria and we have read the riot act to all our members
that nobody should approach anybody for any interest
towards any benefit and I want to make this very clear.
"This is the position of leadership on this issue. We must
ensure that everything is above board because this is not
just a Bill for today, but for future generations. We must
make sure that in our time it is done properly," he stated.
Saraki said that after the passage of the PIGB by
the national assembly which is now before now
before the presidency for assent, the process for
the passage of the fiscal and host communities
bills will soon commence - to pass a petroleum
bill that will be a "win-win" for all stakeholders.
He said: "This is where we are now and this is where it
concerns those of you who are operators to see that we can
pass a petroleum bill that is a win win for all.
"A petroleum bill that will be a win for Nigeria on the
revenue side, investment side and jobs creation; and it is
also a win for those who are investing in Nigeria. Because
we appreciate that it is a very competitive world out there
and we must make Nigeria competitive.
"The only way we can do that is through engagement. We
cannot do it by just passing a bill and just putting it at your
doorstep, because we are not the ones that will do the
investment. So, it has to be a bill that we all believe is in the
interest of all those who are involved," he said.
It would be recalled that the national assembly
commenced the process of passing the fiscal and
host communities components of the petroleum
industry bill after the passage of the Petroleum
Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) now before the
president for assent.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation of the IOC/
OPTS and managing director of Shell Nigeria
Limited, Mr Osagie Okunbo, said the visit is
essentially meant to assure the leadership of the
national assembly that the IOC/OPTS will make
its memorandum on the bills available to the
relevant committees of the national assembly
during the public hearing.
He said that it is important to ensure that the PIB
that will be passed is one that will essentially
promote investment.
"Our primary concern is that at the end of the day, we both
lay the years of uncertainty to rest, but even more
importantly, that a bill that is passed eventually is one that
we can all be proud of and the one that we can say will
encourage investments in all parts of the oil industry, "
Okunbo stated.
 had reported that Senate President
Bukola Saraki, affirmed that the passage of the
Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, (PIGB) by
the House of Representatives on Wednesday,
January 17, following the Senate’s passage of the
bill last May, represents a historic milestone in
Nigeria.

Saraki visits EFCC's new headquarters in Abuja

The new headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja has been
described by Bukola Saraki as a remarkable
achievement
- He also described the building as impressive and
commendable especially the fact that it was designed
by an indigenous architect
- During a visit to the place, he vowed to continue to
support efforts to build and strengthen the nation's
institutions irrespective of any differences
Senate president, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday,
May 8, inspected the new headquarters building
of the EFCC, and said he will continue to support
efforts to build and strengthen the nation's
institutions irrespective of any differences.
Saraki who spoke to journalists after a tour of
the facility, said he was particularly impressed
by the quality of work done and the fact the the
building was designed by a Nigerian architect.
He said he is duty bound to visit the completed
project as part of his oversight functions in view
of the contributions of the National Assembly to
its realization. He said that the nation must
continue to build institutions as well as
strengthen existing ones to realize its dream of
becoming a great democratic country.
EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Maguw as on hand to welcome the
Senate President during his inspection of the edifice. Photo
credit: SP media office

On the import of his visit to the project site,
Saraki said: “I think the most important thing as far as
we are concerned is that I have always said that we must
always continue to build institutions and that is what is
important and we must continue to support in building
these institutions.
“If we are going to build a better society in our country,
one of the main things we must tackle is the issue of
corruption and how we can do that is by strengthening
these institutions.
“My presence here is to say that whatever we do in our job,
the most important thing is that we all represent
institutions and we must work and see that it is in the
interest of the country.
The Senate President was taken round the EFCC's new
headquarters in Abuja. Photo credit: SP media office
“So my presence here is, after a building like this where the
National Assembly has played a great role, it must be my
responsibility to see how the money was spent and I can see
that that has been done properly and we should continue to
work together to see that that goes well for the entire
country.
“If you look at most projects in Abuja, I don't think any
project like this has been well-funded and that shows that
despite all the noise you will hear, the National Assembly
has supported where it matters because this is where it
matters and I think we have done that.
“If you look at what has been achieved in the last two and
half years in putting this building up and bringing it to
completion, I think it is a remarkable achievement.”
The Senate president said he paid a visit to the
facility because he will be engaged officially next
week when the edifice will be officially opened.
He described the building as impressive and
commendable especially the fact that it was
designed by an indigenous architect.
He said: “I must say that I am very impressed. Very
commendable structure, I like the fact that the architect is
local; Nigerian and the quality of work done by Julius
Berger is very impressive and it is a building that we should
be proud of.
“I think it goes to show the importance of institutional
building, making institutions stronger and it makes
institutions stronger. So, it is very impressive. The details
and planning is very commendable. I would commend all
those who have worked towards the actualization of the
structure.
“From those who started it to the builder. Let me also
commend members of the National Assembly that provided
the funding to make it a reality. I am very impressed. It is
well kept secret but it is very good.
“Having a Nigerian that designed this, the details are very
impressive - the clinic and all the facilities - and the fact
that it has gone through three different administrations;
and the fact that the National Assembly has played its role
and brought it to completion, I think that it is a lot of plus.”
 reported ly earlier that a
former chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, Farida Waziri, expressed joy
at the completion of the N24 billion office of the
commission in Abuja.
Waziri who initiated the project during her
tenure said on Saturday, May 5, that she was
pleasantly shocked by the ability of the acting
chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu
to bring the plan to fruition.

IG Idris was first summoned on April 25

IG Idris was first summoned on April 25 to answer
questions on the arrest of senator Dino Melaye, and
killings across the country
- The lawmakers are currently deliberating on next
line of action
Ibrahim Idris, the inspector-general of police has
failed to honour an invitation to appear before
the Senate for the third time.
The police boss who was first summoned on
April 25 was invited to answer questions on the
arrest of senator Dino Melaye, and killings across
the country.

Recall that Idris accompanied President
Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi state the first
time he was invited to appear before the
lawmakers and the second time, he went to Birin
Gwari, Kaduna state, on a working visit.
Premium Times reports that Senate president
Saraki announced his non-appearance after some
minutes of wait to allow him into the chamber.
“I’ve just been informed that the IG or any member of his
team are not here,” he said.
The news outlet reports further that the
lawmakers are currently deliberating on next
line of action.
 had reported that the
Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum
Idris, on Wednesday, May 2, snubbed the
Nigerian Senate yet again .

The police boss is currently in Kaduna state. The
Senate had summoned IGP Idris to appear before
it over the recent killings and security situation
across the country.

Senate declares IGP Idris 'enemy of democracy'

The Nigerian Senate has declared the Inspector-
General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, an enemy of
democracy following his refusal to honour an
invitation to appear before the upper chamber for a
third time.
The lawmakers during plenary on Wednesday,
May 9, said Idris is not fit to hold public office in
Nigeria and abroad.
Premium Times reports that the Senate
president, Bukola Saraki, made the declaration
after the Senate emerged from a closed door
session where it deliberated on the non-
appearance of the police boss.

“The Senate in a closed session deliberated on the non-
appearance of the IGP to the senate to the plenary after a
series of invitation. The Senate noted that this has been a
gross disrespect to our constituted authority and to also
know that his earlier refusal to appear before investigative
committee was overruled by competent court of jurisdiction
just in April this year.
“The Senate therefore views this persistent refusal is a
great danger to our democracy and hence the Senate
resolved to declare IGP as an enemy of democracy and not
fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria. The
leader of the Senate would also mandate to look into the
matter for further necessary action ,” Saraki said.
Read tweets from the plenary below:
The Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate2h
Replying to @NGRSenate
"What is happening today in Nigeria
shows that democracy is dying bit by
bit and also shows the abuse of power
and office by the IG. What the IG is
doing in the eyes of the world, shows
that there is no respect for the law."-
Senator Enyinaya Abaribe.
The Nigerian Senate
@NGRSenate
"During the executive session the Senate deliberated on
the non-appearance of the IGP to the Senate in plenary
after a series of invitations."- Senate President,
@bukolasaraki
1:50 PM - May 9, 2018
The Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate2h
Replying to @NGRSenate
"During the executive session the
Senate deliberated on the non-
appearance of the IGP to the Senate
in plenary after a series of
invitations."- Senate President,
@bukolasaraki
The Nigerian Senate
@NGRSenate
"The Senate noted this as disrespectful to the institution
and constitutional authority..." -Senate President,
@bukolasaraki
1:55 PM - May 9, 2018

The Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate2h
Replying to @NGRSenate
"The Senate noted this as
disrespectful to the institution and
constitutional authority..." -Senate
President, @bukolasaraki
The Nigerian Senate
@NGRSenate
"...And that the refusal of the IG to appear before an
investigative committee as also ruled by a court of
competent jurisdiction  is a great danger to our
democracy..." - Senate President, @bukolasaraki
1:58 PM - May 9, 2018
17 23 people are talking about this
The Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate1h
Replying to @NGRSenate
"...And that the refusal of the IG to
appear before an investigative
committee as also ruled by a court of
competent jurisdiction  is a great
danger to our democracy..." - Senate
President, @bukolasaraki
The Nigerian Senate
@NGRSenate
"Therefore the Senate resolves to declare the IGP as an
enemy of democracy and not fit to hold any public
office within and outside Nigeria."- Senate President,
@bukolasaraki
2:04 PM - May 9, 2018
The Senate President
@SPNigeria
UPDATE: Today, the Senate resolved that the
Inspector General (IG) of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is unfit
to hold public office. The Senate noted that the IG’s
refusal to appear before it, after several invitations
makes him a persistent threat and enemy of the
nation’s democracy.
1:59 PM - May 9, 2018
116 200 people are talking about this
NAIJ.com had earlier reported that Ibrahim Idris,
the inspector-general of police failed to honour
an invitation to appear before the Senate for the
third time.
The police boss who was first summoned on
April 25 was invited to answer questions on the
arrest of senator Dino Melaye, and killings across
the country.
Recall that Idris accompanied President
Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi state the first
time he was invited to appear before the
lawmakers and the second time, he went to Birin
Gwari, Kaduna state, on a working visit.
Premium Times reports that Senate president
Saraki announced his non-appearance after some
minutes of wait to allow him into the chamber