COVID-19: Why Senate reconvened, by Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, said that the upper chamber decided to reconvene to sustain its work on finding lasting solution to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawan said this while welcoming his colleagues back to plenary session from their five weeks break.

He noted that while the task before the National Assembly is imperative, “the responsibility of the legislator is even more important because of our closeness to the people.”

Lawan said: “Distinguished Colleagues, it is a great pleasure to welcome you back to this hallowed chamber.

“The world has been on lockdown in the last couple of months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has unsettled economies, affected the way we relate to each other and disrupted calendars of activities across different sectors.

“Government has responded well under the recommendations of scientists and experts.

“Our sessions have been interrupted, but we have sustained our interventions and collaborations with other arms and agencies of government in the concerted bid to mitigate the damage from the pandemic.

“We will continue in our efforts in the interest of our good health, the well-being of our people and the sustainable development of our nation.

“The Senate has convened today to enable us to sustain work on solutions and to ensure that the health crisis does not create further problems that might be much more difficult to deal with.”

He said that the pandemic has affected the 2020 budget due to falling oil prices and reduction in economic activities.

He expressed confidence that the country would soon triumph over the pandemic just like it did to previous health challenges.

He added: “The pandemic has affected our budget for this year, not just because of falling oil prices, but also because it has forced a reduction in economic activities, leading to an enormous loss of revenue.

“We have been working with the executive on areas of adjustments for a more realistic implementation, and our resumption today will lead to a quicker resolution of some of our decisions.

“We are confident that we shall soon overcome this crisis, like previous health emergencies.

“All hands will however have to be on deck to register a quicker and more resounding success.”

He lamented that the COVID-19 has killed thousands of people across the world, including the Chief of Staff to the President, late Mallam Abba Kyari.

“This pandemic has killed thousands of citizens across the world. We have also lost many of our dear compatriots.

“One of them is the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mallam Abba Kyari.

“We condole with President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on this painful loss, just as we mourn other citizens who have died because of the disease.

“We pray the Almighty Allah will give their families the fortitude to bear the loss and grant them Aljana Fidaus.

“It is our additional prayers that we shall be able to mitigate the continuous spread of the virus, so we can regain our normal life and stay with the onerous business of nation building.”

He commended Senators for their collective and individual efforts in supporting Nigerians during these uncertain times.

He added: “Your counsels and gifts during this period are well documented.

“Kindly continue with this support, while educating them on the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene, and to avoid large gatherings.

“Citizens need to comply with measures like use of facial mask and reduction in movements until the virus is gone.

“It is also important we educate them on the guidelines and protocols of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on reporting suspected cases.”