SAN FRANCISCO, October 24, (THEWILL) – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Thursday, made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to sheathe their swords and resolve the lingering strike in the interest of education in the country.
Tambuwal, who made the appeal after receiving briefing from the Hon. Aminu Suleiman-led House Committee on Education, also assured that the House was willing to approve budget if the need arises in order to resolve the problems which, according to him, have lingered for too long.
“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to both the Executive arm and the authorities of ASUU to please quickly resolve the problem. And if there is need for any appropriation, the House will expeditiously assent to it in the interest of our students and the nation,” Tambuwal said.
Meanwhile, the House has mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Federal Road Safety, and Justice to investigate the desirability of the Biometric Central Motor Registration (BCMR) by the Nigerian Police.
This followed the adoption of a motion brought by Hon. Hassan Saleh (PDP, Benue) and 26 others expressing concern that the Nigeria Police was seeking to duplicate what the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) was already doing.
The House observed that the Police cannot use the claim to justify the scheme that it is seeking to implement, as the FRSC was already capturing the biometric data of all motorists in the country.
Saleh had, while introducing the motion, pointed out that “ordinarily, any measure that will enhance security of lives and property ought to be welcomed.” He however noted that the venture by the Nigeria Police was unnecessary, adding that government owes Nigerians the sacred duty to protect them from any form of exploitation.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Police last month announced the introduction of its new Biometric Central Motor Registration, BCRMR, which it claimed would help it fight terrorism, kidnapping and car theft. For this, motorists, tricycle and motorbike owners will be made to pay N3,500 into the coffers of the Nigeria Police.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja
