By Oladisun Amosun
The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Honours Act, 2004 and Nigerian National Merit Award Act, 2004 and Enact the Nigerian National Honours and Merit Award Commission.
The Bill co-sponsored by the House Speaker, The Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency Lagos State seeks to provide for the Establishment of a Commission to Regulate Matters Related to National Honours and Merit Award in Nigeria and for Related Matters.
Speaking further while at plenary, Hon. Benson explained that the amendment is to make the award really merit-based.
Meanwhile, the House has urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to activate the process of resumption of work at the site of the Agbado–Isoye Water Scheme.
It further mandated the Committee on Water Resources to investigate the cause of the abandoned Agbado–Isoye Water Scheme.
These resolutions are sequel to the adoption of a motion raised at plenary by Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, member representing Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency.
Raising the motion, Hon. Ibrahim noted that the Agbado -Isoye Water Scheme as a regional water project conceptualized to compensate the people of Agbado; Oke-Aro Ibaragun, Akute Aj uwon, Isheri- Ojodu Wards in Ifo Local Government
Area of Ogun State from the World Bank assisted Lagos State Government Iju and Oke-Aro Water supply projects, both of which are sited and located in four Wards of the constituency.
According to him, the Agbado Isoye water scheme was captured in 2006 Appropriation uncontroverted and awarded same year to Messrs O. Hara Construction Company Ltd, for the sum of N560, 000, 000, the project proceeded smoothly with the construction of massive industrial boreholes and ground water storage tanks but was abandoned by the Federal Government at 54.37% completion stage.