President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki who hinted this said the bills are such that if considered and passed would provide adequate legislative instruments to fast-track the necessary change and reforms expected in all critical sectors of the country. According to him, the bills when passed would give backing to necessary reforms in the nation’s security agencies, judiciary, anti-corruption crusade, agriculture, transportation, taxation, poverty eradication and the creation of business-friendly environment for investors, among others. Chief press secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Sanni Onogu noted in a statement that Saraki stated this at a meeting with his key aides as part of preparations for the commencement of legislative session in the new year. He listed some of the priority bills now awaiting Senate debate to include Police Reform Bill, Justice Reform Bill, Criminal Procedure Law Amendment Bill, Whistleblower Protection Bill, Budget Reform Bill, Ecological Funds Utilisation and Management Bill and the Excess Crude Account Management Bill. Others are Executive Bodies Independence Protection Law, National Assembly Budget & Research Office Bill, the Institutional Restructuring of the NNPC Bill in place of the PIB, the E-Commerce Protection Law Bill, Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, Market Competition Bill, Credit Bureau and Referencing Bill, Agricultural Credit and Loan Scheme Bill, Private Sector Infrastructure Investment Protection and Regulation Bill and the Road Sector Reform Bill. Also included are the Railway Sector Reform Bill, Ports and Habour Reforms Bill, Regulatory Impact Assessment Bill, Climate Change Bill, Tax and Revenue Bill, Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, The Fertiliser Bill, The Government Performance and Result Act (GPRA) and The National Poverty Eradication Commission (Establishment) Bill. The Senate President said the priority bills are meant to drastically change the business environment and promote inclusive growth especially in the real sector. Onogu quoted Saraki as saying: “It is the belief of the National Assembly that diversification of the economy will not happen unless regulatory and legal framework for doing business in Nigeria are substantially reformed and deregulated to allow the private sector participate in the infrastructure market which is a key area for creating jobs and priority national productivity. “It is a known fact that the economic artery for delivering goods and services in Nigeria has mainly been the road network. But this has been severely limited by the level of degradation and lack of investment. The impact has been increase in carnage, deaths and the penetration of goods to markets has been severely limited. “With the priority bills being proposed by the National Assembly, private sector participation in railways, road construction and other transport infrastructure that will stimulate job creation will become a reality.]]>