Senate President David Mark Tuesday said the North Eastern part of Nigeria is under siege, charging the Armed Forces to intensify efforts to rescue the over 200 Chibok girls abducted last year by Boko Haram insurgents.
Addressing the Senate on resumption from a long break, Mark lamented, “The truth is that the North Eastern part of our country is under siege.
“We must support our armed forces and other security operatives to stop this evil.
“The armed forces and government must intensify efforts to rescue our young innocent Chibok girls.
“Government must do all it can to end this insurgency. This is a war that we must win and we will win!
“I commend the Senate and the entire National Assembly for their active roles in the fight against terrorism. I commend the relevant committees that have engaged various stakeholders.
“In particular, I commend members of the armed forces and other security agencies who risk their lives daily to protect our liberty, freedom and security,” he said.
Mark commended the Senators for demonstrating exemplary conduct, patriotism, maturity and commitment in the face of various daunting challenges.
However, he reminded his colleagues that there are many outstanding issues that must be addressed before the termination of the 7th Assembly.
“These include, passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the phenomenal fall in oil prices and its impact on our budgetary commitments, ensuring a free, fair, transparent and credible election, favourably resolving the insurgency in the North East, the consideration of the reports of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the management, welfare and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons as well as the welfare of families of deceased members of the armed forces.
“As we resume this last lap of the 7th Senate, we shall endeavour to pass the lingering Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). We are conscious of the concerns of various stakeholders (Nigerians and foreigners). It has taken long but we should do all we can to pass it.
On the passage of 2015 budget, he had this to say, “The National Assembly is committed to the passage of the 2015 Budget. Before we do that however, we must allow for a deliberate, meticulous and exhaustive debate of the estimates.
“This is an important process which affords us the opportunity to make inputs for the common good of the people. I must emphasize that this is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly”.
Mark, also counselled politicians to desist from making provocative and inciting utterances.
“We may be in different political parties but we are not enemies. We must educate, caution and guide our supporters and followers. Election should be an asset to democracy but where it leads to violence or acrimony, it becomes a liability,” he said.
