Senate may review security architecture, says Lawan – TheNigerialawyer

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has hinted that the
upper legislative chamber might review the nation’s security
architecture to address emerging security challenges across the
country.

Lawan however said, the proposed review would be carried out in
collaboration with the executive arm of government, as he stressed
the urgent need for improvement in the nation’s security
situation.

The Senate President, however, did not elaborate on the scope
and sphere of the pending review. He spoke with journalists in
Abuja on Friday shortly after his arrival from a foreign trip.

Lawan said, “In the Eight Senate, we had an ad-hoc committee
that I was privileged to chair, to review the security architecture
of the country. We are going to look into that report, and of
course in addition, other contemporary issues that affect security
in the country.

“We intend to do those things that would ensure that the
security situation in the country improves, and this we would do
with the executive arm of government, as this cannot be done
alone”.

The Senate President disclosed that the National Assembly had
received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which he
said, was sent to by the executive while he was away.

“I have been informed that the executive arm of government has
sent the request for the MTEF to the Senate, and I am sure that
will be the first thing that would be looked into when we resume
next week.

“We hope to take on the MTEF within the first legislative
week.

Our committee on finance will be saddled with its first major
responsibility; that it works expeditiously on the FSP/MTEF request
of the executive arm of government, and thereafter the budget will
come after that”, Lawan said.

He also expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to
receive the 2020 Appropriation Bill anytime soon, saying that the
executive was working assiduously to ensure that the document is
presented to the legislature by month’s end.

“We are hopeful and optimistic, as well as hungry and thirsty,
to receive the 2020 appropriations bill. I am aware that the
executive arm of government is working assiduously to ensure that
the appropriation bill for the year 2020 is presented to the
National Assembly at the end of this month.

“The National Assembly will work so hard to ensure that the 2020
budget is passed before we go on Christmas break.

This is one issue that we hope to take head-on to ensure that we
reverse the undesirable tend of the budget.

“We believe this can be achieved, as doing so would make the
economy better and predictable. We also think an early passage of
the 2020 appropriations bill will have a desirable impact on
Nigerians”, he said.

On the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Lawan
said the Senate would look into the matter on resumption.

“You recall that this issue was reviewed before we went on
recess. The Senate felt as an institution, that our citizens’
diplomacy must be protected whereever they go in the world.

“The government must be there for them, and I am happy that
after the xenophobic crisis, the federal government was able to
take a position.

“We need to be much more resolute, whatever the situation is;
our citizens must be protected. If someone runs foul of the laws of
a country, there are processes and procedures on how such a person
can be prosecuted.

“Therefore, we must try to protect our citizens. I also think we
must be proactive to tell our citizens that if they choose to live
in any country, they must ensure they stay within the limits of the
laws of that country, just as we expect of foreigners in ours”.

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