Senate leader speaks on approval of new minimum wage bill, budget before 2019 election

The Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, says the National Assembly
will prioritise the consideration of the 2019 budget and the passage
of minimum wage bill upon resumption.

Lawan, who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said
the lawmakers would not hesitate in attending to the bills, NAN
reports.

He said that though they would be constrained by time in view of
preparations for the 2019 general elections, they would work
extensively on the bills within the available time.

"We should be able to work hard to pass those bills that are
fundamental and central to revamping the economy.

"Bills that are central to re-engineering and reorientating the social
environment, and generally making Nigeria a stable and safe country;
we are determined to do that.

"The 2019 budget, for instance, is central even though we have to
break at a point; shortly after resumption, say two weeks, maximum
three weeks.

"It is my judgment that we will be doing ourselves some good if we
take second reading of the budget.

"That is, we will take the debate and general principles of the bill
and then refer it to the committees on appropriation of the two
chambers at least before we go," he said.

The leader of the senate further said it was important for the
National Assembly to consider the minimum wage bill as soon as it is
presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the legislature.

He stressed that passing the bill would help bring succour to workers.

"It is crucial that we pass the bill on national minimum wage. I
believe that the Executive has played its part.

"I have no idea what it is at the moment, but I believe that it is one
of those bills we should expedite legislative process on to get it
passed to ensure that there is stability in the workforce.

"The workforce is what we rely on for the implementation of our
various programmes and projects as a government.

"I believe that when the bill comes, we should be able to do justice
to it within the period we will be around.

"We should be able to slate it for first, second reading at least, and
maybe immediately we resume we will pass it through third reading.

"This is to ensure that the workers get a fair deal," he added.