Senator Gershom Bassey
President Tinubu needs to sign 3 Bills to address efficient infrastructure – Sen. Bassey
By Our Admin
Senator Gershom Bassey has identified three Bills and urged the Executive led by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to enact legislation to help lay the foundation for an efficient infrastructure system in the Country.
Senator Bassey who represented Cross River Southern district in the 9th Senate offered his suggestions in his address made available to newsmen after the valedictory session of the 9th Senate at the Weekend.
“It is important for the Executive to enact legislation like the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, the National Roads Fund Bill, and the Federal Roads Authority Bill, which will lay the foundation for an efficient infrastructure system and promote public-private cooperation that will meet the needs of our growing population”, he suggested.
He noted that legislative reforms within the 9th national assembly have had a profound impact on various sectors of the nation.
His words, “Among our successes are the passage of the Electricity Bill, 2022 and the enactment of Constitution Amendment Bills. In addition, the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 stands out as a major accomplishment. We also further democratized the electoral process through the Electoral Act, 2022, with measures aimed at ensuring freer and fairer elections and to ensure the seamless delivery of justice in the courts and tribunals. Landmark corporate regulatory reforms were made with the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, reducing compliance burdens and fostering a more business-friendly climate.”
“Recognizing the importance of the technology sector, we enacted the Nigeria Start-up Act, 2022, promoting a vibrant start-up ecosystem. We also improved the ease of doing business for MSMEs with the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.”
Taking a projection into the 10th National Assembly, Senator Bassey said the Assembly “has a unique opportunity to lead alongside an Executive Branch headed by peers. The President, Vice President, and First Lady, SGF, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are all Senators.”
“This presents a unique opportunity for exemplary leadership, strategic foresight, efficient policy-making and cooperation between the arms of government, to deliver the country Nigerians have been yearning for.”
He expressed confidence in the capabilities of his successor in the 10th Senate saying, “the baton is being passed to capable hands, and I have full confidence in my successor to work tirelessly” for the district, the State and the Country.
He maintained that being a senator was a responsibility he took seriously. Adding, “Leadership is a privilege, and serving the people is a gift. During my two-term tenure from 2015 to 2023, I am proud of the 35 bills and 55 motions I sponsored and/or co-sponsored, demonstrating my commitment to legislative excellence.”
“Among the motions I sponsored, were the need for value-addition and domestication strategies for sustainable economic growth; the deplorable state of Nigeria’s federal roads and the necessity of combating illicit financial flows through a legal framework and tax amnesty review for voluntary repatriation of funds to Nigeria.”
“I introduced landmark bills such as the Federal Road Authority Bill, aimed at providing a solution to the deplorable condition of our federal roads and improving the management and maintenance of federal roads. There was the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill. A version of this Bill is still awaiting assent. Mr. President please sign this Bill. I advocated for and continue to advocate for at least 70% of FERMA’s budget to be allocated to recurrent expenditure until the FRA Bill becomes law.”