Saraki promises laws to reform oil sector, create jobs, improve security

Sen. Bukola Saraki on Tuesday pledged the commitment of the Upper House to making

laws that would boost the economy, following his unanimous election as the President of the 8th Senate.

Making the pledge while delivering his acceptance shortly after he was sworn in, Saraki said that the 8th senate would make laws that would create more job opportunities and reposition major sectors of the economy, particularly the oil sector.

While thanking his colleagues for electing him, the president promised to be just, equitable and fair.
He said his election had demonstrated that Nigerians were now more interested in entrenching the tenets of democracy rather than clinching to political parties.

“I am most honoured and privileged to be elected to serve as President of the Senate. I accept with humility and respect the honour you have conferred upon me today.

“I want to thank all members of the National Assembly for the maturity and patriotism in the exercise we have just concluded in electing the leadership of the 8th Senate.

“As the President of the 8th Senate, I shall be guided by the enormity of the responsibilities that this moment imposes on all of us.

“This new senate must make laws that will make doing business in Nigeria more competitive.”

Saraki thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for remaining steadfast in his defence of the right of the National Assembly to choose its own leaders.

He added that Buhari’s position had laid a solid foundation for the stability of the 8th National Assembly.

He said that this was the time for the Nigerian people to enjoy the change that they had voted for.

“The change that our people voted for is a change from a life of poverty and misery to a life of prosperity, happiness, security and comfort, accountability and respect for democracy.

“This is a change that all of us in the National Assembly must strive to justify as Nigerians want to see a proactive National Assembly.

“It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislature in the overall interest of our democracy.”

Our quest for autonomy must not lead us into pursuing adverse relations with other arms of government.

“In the coming days, we shall be converging to hammer out an agenda that will help us focus and deliver on the minimum expectations,” he said.

He thanked former Senate President David Mark for the uncommon leadership he had provided in the past eight years, which led to the stability of the Upper House.

Saraki charged the legislators to defend the confidence reposed in them by Nigerians in their service to the nation.

The Senate, thereafter, adjourned to Wednesday.

NAN reports that Saraki elected unopposed with 57 senators adopting him, while other senators were said to be attending a meeting of the APC. (NAN)