The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, over the weekend insisted that the National Assembly would give legislative backing to several bilateral agreements entered into recently between Nigeria and Morocco.
A statement dated March 19, 2017 and signed by Saraki’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, quoted Saraki as saying that ‘’during the recent state visit by the King of Morocco to Nigeria, several bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries in areas of agriculture, energy and gas, trans-African gas pipeline project and many more.”
The Senate President said that he had also assured the President of Moroccan House of Councilors (equivalent of the Nigerian Senate), Mr. Abdelhakim Benchamach and President of the House of Representatives of Morocco, Mr. Habib El Malki at the weekend in Rabat; that those agreements shall be given legislative backing.
“Those agreements, particularly the trans African gas pipeline, if it comes to effects would boast economic wellbeing of both countries as well as other African countries.” As legislators, we have a great role to play by giving legislative support to initiative of our leaders in order for the agreements to become binding and implementable’’
Saraki said the Senate, and the National Assembly in general, has resolved to give such legislations the required urgency for immediate take off and implementation of agreements that would benefit the nation’s economy and strengthen co-operation with other African nations.
“The foundation for strengthening the historical relationship between the two countries has been laid by the two leaders, and it is now our responsibility as lawmakers to begin the process of giving it legislative backing for the benefit of our people and Africa in general.
“It is good to note that both President Muhammadu Buhari and King Muhammad VI have developed a close relationship which is a new chapter in the history of our countries, and it is our duty to support them to achieve the desired result,” he said