COVID-19: After approving Buhari’s N850bn loan, Senate adjourns plenary indefinitely

The Nigerian Senate after sitting on Tuesday (today) for the first time since over one month, has again adjourned its plenary indefinitely.

The adjournment came after the federal lawmakers received, considered and approved, during the Tuesday sitting, President Muhammadu Buhari’s N850 billion loan request to fund the 2020 budget.

Other things the Senate did before adjourning include its recommendation that the Federal Government rejig the strategy and structures for the response to the COVID19 pandemic to ensure a better coordination between federal, state, and local governments as well as the private sector.

They also urged the executive to fast track the submission of the revised MTEF, FSP, and 2020 budget to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.

The Senate had been on break since March 24 following COVID-19 outbreak and measures put in place to curtail its spread.

The Senate, however, resumed sitting today but adjourned indefinitely again over the dreaded virus.

Announcing the adjournment, Senate President Ahmed Lawan told the lawmakers that the Upper Chamber would reconvene in an event there were urgent matters to be legislated upon.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, which also sat for the first time since March 24, resolved to hold plenary at least once every week until the COVID-19 lockdown order got lifted.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Evidence shows many needy Nigerians yet to get any form of palliative —Gbajabiamila

The resolution followed a motion entitled “Regulating Plenary Sittings in the Period of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown” sponsored by Abubakar Fulata.

He moved the motion pursuant to Order One, Rule 1 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House.

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