Nigerian senate on Tuesday advanced moves to whittle down Presidential powers on the appointment and removal of the Chairman, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
The moves became evident, after a bill seeking to amend the EFCC Act of 2004, was read for the second time, and referred to the committee on anti-corruption for further legislative work.
The bill is seeking to subject the termination of the appointment of the EFCC Chairman to the confirmation of the senate of the National Assembly, to guarantee the security of tenure for the anti-graft Agency Boss.
Senate thereafter, mandated its committee on anti-corruption to conclude further legislative work on the bill, and report back in four weeks.
In a similar development, Senate also on Tuesday mandated its committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, to submit within one week, the report of the screening and confirmation of the chairman and members of the commission.
The Chairman designate is Mrs. Lauretta Onochie from Delta state, while the Managing Director is chief Samuel Ogbuku who hails from Bayelsa state. Others are, Major General Charles Airhiavbere from Edo state, who is to serve as the Executive Director of finance, while the Executive Director in charge of projects is Mr. Charles Ogunmola from Ondo state.
According to the confirmation request letter submitted to the senate by President Buhari, the NDDC Board has eight (8) state representatives, and three (3) zonal representatives.
Meanwhile, Senate has passed a bill establishing the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, which would be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, after the House of Representatives has concurred with the senate.
Senate also approved the 2023 budget proposals of the Nigerian communications commission and that of the Universal Service Provision Fund.