The Senate has input ‘Death penalty’ as punishment for those involved in the manufacture, processing and trafficking of dangerous and hard drugs in the country.

The Senate has also approved fifteen years imprisonment without the option of fine for those who consume the hard drugs in view of the havoc being created by substance and drug abuse in the country.

This development is to aid the hard drugs situation to be nipped in the bud as neglecting it has always had the potential of destroying the future of the country.

Approvals by the Upper Chamber was sequel to the consideration of Report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics on the amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB. 472) presented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North.

According to the Senate, the amendment became very imperative because it is the majority of the youth that are engaged in the drug and substance abuse.

Prior to the passage, the senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for a clause by clause consideration of the report.

During the review process of the Committee ‘s recommendations and especially with regard to issue of the penalty provisions towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South and the Deputy Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, APC, Ebonyi North under clause 11.

When the matter was put to a voice vote, it appeared the nays had it, however when the question was put for a second vote, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North who presided ruled in favour of the I’s.

Some workers’ unions have commenced a protest over the sack of workers of the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC) by the state government.

On Wednesday, the workers commenced the protest rally at the Ikeja under-bridge while heading towards the Lagos house of assembly complex in Alausa.

Workers under the aegis of the Amalgamated Unions of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and other unions are at the protest.

In April, the Lagos government announced the disengagement of 391 LWC workers “as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and meeting the evolving demands of the organisation”.

The state government said the corporation has been battling “financial and operational challenges, struggling to generate adequate revenue to meet its obligations”.

In December 2023, the state government also sacked 450 casual workers of the corporation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that fuel subsidy was removed to save Nigeria from going bankrupt.
In as much as the hardship in the country has taken a toll on both the rich and the poor, Especially the poor, President Tinubu has justification for the decision he took on fuel subsidy removal.

Speaking as one of the panelists at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, April 28, Tinubu said he was convinced it was in the best interest of the people.

He said;

“For Nigeria, we are immensely consistent with belief that the economic collaboration and inclusiveness are necessary to engender stability in the rest of the world.

“Concerning the question of the subsidy removal, there is no doubt that it was a necessary action for my country not to go bankrupt, to reset the economy and pathway to growth.

“It is going to be difficult, but the hallmark of leadership is taking difficult decisions at the time it ought to be taken decisively. That was necessary for the country.

“Yes, there will be blowback, there is expectation that the difficulty in it will be felt by greater number of the people, but once I believe it is their interest that is the focus of the government, it is easier to manage and explain the difficulties.

“Along the line, there is a parallel arrangement to really cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the vulnerable population of the country. We share the pain across board, we cannot but include those who are vulnerable.

“Luckily, we have a very vibrant youthful population interested in discoveries by themselves and they are highly ready for technology, good education committed to growth.

“We are able to manage that and partition the economic drawback and the fallout of subsidy removal.”

As a Nigerian citizen, what do you think about the Government’s decision to avert bankruptcy by removing fuel subsidy?