The House of Representatives has endorsed a harmonized report on a bill for an act to repeal the Prisons Act 2004, to make comprehensive provisions for the administration and reforms of prisons in Nigeria.
The amendment to the Prisons Act, when signed into law, would enhance the administration of the criminal justice system and the efficient management of the Prisons Service.
The House also passed for a second reading, a bill for an act to establish a Constituency Development Fund which seeks to ensure even development of all constituencies in the federation especially in the rural areas.
Sponsor of the bill, Ben Nwankwo, argued that with 70 percent of Nigerians residing in the rural area the bill would ensure good governance reaches the crucial areas.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Environment met with Shell Petroleum and Ministries, Departments and Agencies supervising the petroleum industry to find out why the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report and recommendations on Ogoni land have not been implemented 4 years after it was submitted to the President.
Chairman of the Committee, Uche Ekwunife, said that the indigenes of Ogoni land were running out of patience and the implementation of the 76 recommendations of that report must commence so they are not frustrated into taking the laws into their hands.