from Leadership 19th may.

Allegations of N5 billion appropriation for a non-existent Maritime Security Agency dogged the bill for Act to establish the Maritime Security Agency which was meant to promote maritime security and other related purposes.

The bill was eventually withdrawn on the strength that its provisions clash with other agencies in the armed forces.

The Senate yesterday also passed the National Health Amendment Bill, even as the bill to establish the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, which is meant to provide technical training to personnels of the Nigerian Air Force and other services of the Nigerian Armed Forces, scaled the crucial second reading.

The N5 billion controversy was sequel to an allegation leveled by Senator Lee Meaba (PDP, Rivers).He alleged that N5 billion was appropriated in the 2010 budget for the Maritime Security Agency, even when the law to set it up was yet to be passed by the National Assembly.

He questioned the propriety why an agency that is yet to be established would be appropriated for in the budget, and promised to produce a document in the legislative sitting date to prove his allegation.

The allegation elicited questions from the Senate President, David Mark, who asked the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Transport, Senator Umaru Abubakar Argungu (PDP, Kebbi) if the agency has been established for it to be allocated N5 billion.

Senator Argungu admitted that the agency was yet to be established but could not clear the air on the allegation. They had wanted him to give a straight answer. However, the Senate president assured that the Senate would look into the matter

Earlier, the Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, who presented the executive bill, said the bill is a deliberate attempt by the federal government to establish a Maritime Security Agency which will be charged with the responsibility of providing security, safety, information and communication facilities for all categories of users of the Nigerian Maritime Industry.

Meanwhile, the National Health Bill, which was passed, sought to amend the National Health Bill 2009 which is to provide for the proper management and effectiveness of the national health system.

The bill amended Section 39(3) and 40(1) of the principal bill. The section is substituted for the Section 39(3), which states that "the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) shall determine the safety, propriety, effectiveness, and potency of drugs, chemicals and food manufactured, produced or imported in accordance with the provisions of the Act."

Section 40(1) "The National Health Insurance Scheme shall apply to all health facilities and services under this Act."