The two chambers of the National Assembly will resume plenary today (Tuesday), to deliberate on pending national issues, top among these being the COVID-19 pandemic and the response packages of the Federal Government.
The Senate and House of Representatives in separate guidelines released in Abuja on Monday said it was mandatory for the legislators to wear face masks, maintain social distancing and subject themselves to temperature checks at the gates of the National Assembly as part of measures advised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The House of Representatives particularly noted that subsequently, it would hold sessions on Tuesday, every week, to provide legislative support for the country’s fight against COVID-19.
The Senate Clerk, Mr Nelson Ayewoh, said in a memo on Monday, “This is to inform distinguished senators that the Senate will resume in plenary on Tuesday, April 28. Distinguished senators are by this notice expected to sit in plenary by 10am prompt. Staff and senator’s aides are to work from home and they will be notified when needed in the office for any special assignment.”
The two chambers had gone on a recess on March 24 and slated April 7 for resumption.
However, the resumption date was eventually shifted as President Muhammadu Buhari declared a 14-day mandatory lockdown initially on March 30 in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states.
The House of Representatives on Monday in its guidelines said the resumption of plenary was to “attend to proposals before the legislature to assist the Federal Government confront the COVID-19 effectively considering the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens of Nigeria especially the lockdown and fall in crude oil prices.”