Jonathan Names Chairman, Members Of Federal Civil Service Commission

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

 ... As Senate Steps down Motion For Standardization of Airports.
 
ABUJA, February 08, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday named Deaconess, Johanna Olatosin as the new chairman of the federal Civil Service Commission.

Her name alongside seven other federal commissioners designate were forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

The returning Senate also stood down a motion seeking for the expansion, provision of facilities and the standardization of the Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt International Airports.

Other nominees for the commission include; Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed; Dr Garuba Guwa; Alhaji Saidu Zakari; Alhaji Yahaya Yusuf; Alhaji Y Y Suleiman; Amidu Makawa; and Alhaji Rufai Babtunde Tinubu.

However, citing lack of statistical depth advanced in the lead debate, the senators opted to step down debate on the motion, instead it was referred to Senate committee on Aviation to work out a detailed plan.

Earlier, the lead sponsor of the bill, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) lamented the deplorable conditions of the airports despite the huge funds being expended on them over the years.

He also expressed concern that “all our airports are without required facilities and other necessary equipments for their operations. The toilets are not functioning well because there is no water. The baggage claim areas are so tiny and compacted without room for easy movement.”

But signs that the bill would hit a brick wall emerged when the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who though agreed with the letters of the motion, but complained that picking four out all international airports would only amount to a disservice to others.

Faulting the motion on grounds of insufficient data, he nonetheless acknowledged that the present administration and the Minister of Aviation is performing very well and should be encouraged.

“As such the motion should be stood down for the sponsor to have a rethink on the bill”, he said.

Meanwhile, the report of the Senator Matthew Nwagwu-led committee on Foreign Affairs, on the screening of eighty eight ambassadorial nominees was also stood down during plenary.

In his explanation, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the report was stood down due to some technical issues, adding that it would be looked into on another legislative day.”

However, two bills seeking to establish federal universities in Dutse and Wukari passed second reading on the floor.

The senate adopted the arguments in the passage of the bill for eight universities last week, for those establishing the universities of Dutse and Wukari.