We will confirm ministerial nominees without delay –Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday assured Nigerians that there would be no delay in the confirmation of ministerial nominees once the list is sent to the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saraki while receiving the French ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gaver, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, reiterated that the upper chamber of the National Assembly would resume plenary when there is any urgent matter of national importance.

The National Assembly is on recess until July 21.

Responding to the comments by the French envoy, the Senate President said that though the Senate is currently on break but “we are working and we are ready to reconvene any time to attend to any national assignment, including the confirmation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees.”

He also pledged the cooperation of the National Assembly with the executive arm of government in accomplishing the programmes of the administration.

The Senate President said bills from the executive arm of government would be treated with dispatch, as part of efforts to support the president to effect the positive change expected from his administration by Nigerians.

He told the French delegation that the Senate has commenced work by setting up an 18-man committee to formulate a realistic and progressive Legislative Agenda, which,, he said, would address issues like poverty alleviation, law enforcement, national security, commercial disputes, eradication of corruption and investments in the petroleum sector.

Saraki further said the National Assembly would partner with the French National Assembly in the area of capacity building for legislators, strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and ensuring that more French investments flow into Nigeria.

He specifically solicited the cooperation of the French government in tackling the security problems in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly as Nigeria shares borders with French speaking countries.

Earlier, the French envoy, who described the leadership tussle at the National Assembly as part of democracy, solicited for cooperation between the National Assembly and the President Buhari-led executive arm of government.

He said that the expectation of the international community on Nigeria is high

He also called for cooperation between the private sector in Nigeria and its counterpart in France.

On security, Gaver said France is encouraging her former colonies in West Africa to cooperate with Nigeria in the onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgency.