The Senate, on Tuesday, passed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Establishment) Bill, 2021.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The passage of the bill was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Aviation.
The chamber, midway through consideration of the Committee’s report on the bill last week, stepped it down due to a “mix-up” observed by the lawmakers during plenary.
However, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), in his presentation on Tuesday, said the bill seeks to provide an effective and institutional framework for the prevention, regulation and administration of safety investigation of transportation occurrences in Nigeria, and anywhere Nigerian interest is involved or the transportation vehicle is a Nigerian carrier.
“Also, the purpose of the bill is to enable investigative activities and promote safety through the conduct of transparent, independent and objective investigations in all cases of accident involving any of the current mode of transport in the country”, Adeyemi said.
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He noted that the bill’s passage and assent into law would, amongst others, facilitate quick investigation of accidents, create much safer environment and reduce death rates across the country.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Establishment) Bill, 2021, was passed after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
The Senate same day, also passed the Chatered Institute of Forensic and Fraud Examiners of Nigeria bill and three others for concurrence.
The bills were passed moments before the upper chamber adjourned plenary.
The four bills for concurrence were sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).
The other bills include: Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2022; National Orientation Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and Nigerian Institute of Chartered Foresters Bill, 2021.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, in his lead debate on the bills, recalled that the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Fraud Examiners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1220) was read for the first time on Wednesday, 1st December, 2021.
According to him, the “Bill seeks to establish the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Examiners of Nigeria to provide for the control of its membership and promote the practice of Forensic and Fraud Examinations in Nigeria.”
“Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 14) was read the first time on Thursday, 30th January, 2020.
“This Bill seeks to Repeal the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act and Re-Enact the Nigerian Law Reform Act, 2019 in order to facilitate the effective implementation of the Commission’s Law Reform proposals and enhance its operational performance.