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The
House of Representatives yesterday condemned at the high volume of
importation and production of the sub-standard iron-bars and other
building materials in the country. Consequently, it passed a resolution
urging the government to set in motion the process of reviewing the
legal and regulatory framework for the control and management of steel
importation and production in the country and report back within two
weeks.

It also asked the
executive arm to set up an inter-ministerial committee to accelerate
the development of the iron and steel sector while the Standard
Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other relevant organization are to
take up their responsibilities seriously. The decisions were sequel to
a motion brought by Mayor Eze (PDP, Imo), who noted that the iron-bars
and rods constitute the most important element in all construction
works in the country. Mr Eze said he was aware that Nigeria is
abundantly blessed with the steel deposits which could serve as a
veritable tool for technological growth and national development. He,
however, expressed worry about the volume of importation and production
of sub-standard iron materials in the country.

The lawmaker also
regretted the consequences occasioned by the use of the items, saying
it has resulted in incessant collapse of buildings and bridges across
the country leading to the loss of lives and properties. Mr Eze,
however, appreciated the efforts made by the SON, Nigeria Society of
Engineers (NSE), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in
Nigeria (COREN) to stop the usage of the sub-standard building
materials in the country. The chairman of the House Committee on Steel,
Aminu Shagari, said the use of the substandard building materials in
the country has become worrisome. He, then, proposed an amendment that
an inter-ministerial committee should be set up to develop the steel
sector. Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) also brought amendment asking the
House to urge relevant organization to wake up to their
responsibilities. Other amendments proposed were, however, defeated.

Honouring Babangida

Also on Thursday,
the House read for the second time a bill seeking to rename the
National Centre for Women Development, Abuja after the late First Lady,
Maryam Babangida, who died last December. The bill, sponsored by Fatima
Raji Rasaki (PDP, Ekiti) is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the
National Centre for Women Development (Establishment) Act, Cap. N15,
Laws of the Federation, 2004 to Enhance the Functions of the Centre and
Rename the Centre after Dr Maryam Babangida, and Other Matters
Incidental, 2010.” Mrs Rasaki, while leading the debate on the bill,
said Mrs Babangida touched the lives of Nigeria women in the country
through her pet project, Better Life for Rural Women, adding that it
would not be too much to name the centre after her.

Abike Dabiri (AC, Lagos) said while working as a journalist, she
reported the activities of the late First Lady for almost four years,
stressing that she (Maryam) successfully executed her pet project.
Others who spoke in support of the bill include Juliet Akano (PDP,
Imo), Peace Nnaji (PDP, Enugu), Sada Patricia Etteh, Chuka Ike-Nwuwa,
and Soli Jibia (PDP, Katsina), some of who praised Mrs Babangida.
Messrs Nwuwa and Maduabum, however, called on women to focus more on
the home front in order to have stability in the family, an argument
which Mrs Etteh faulted. The former speaker said men and women ought to
take care of the home together.