All Hope Not Lost on NTC Bill as NSC Boss Assures of President’s Assent Soon
*Says disputed areas in bill expunged
All hope is not yet lost on the assent of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr Hassan Bello said Thursday.
It would he recalled that the NTC bill was among the five bills returned to the National Assembly by President Buhari who refused assent on the excuse that it will cause distortions and bring about conflict among agencies of the government in the industry.
But Bello said the disputed areas are being worked on by the National Assembly for return to the President for assent.
Speaking on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary Lecture/ Awards and Patrons’ Investiture ceremony held in Lagos by members of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers, Bello explained that the President only directed that areas of conflict or duplications be removed from Bill.
He disclosed that following the return of the Bill to the National Assembly, the legislative body equally sent it back to the Ministry of Transport.
According to him, the Ministry of Transport and relevant bodies have eliminated the areas of conflict, including the issue of security and returned to the legislative body.
Bello also said that on returning the Bill to the National Assembly by the Ministry, the Senate has already re-passed it while the House of Representatives will soon follow in re-passing it.
He said that the President will soon assent the Bill.