Senate will wipe out terrorism –Mark

Category: News Published on Thursday, 17 January 2013 06:00 Written by Isiaka Wakili

The Senate will do everything within its powers to wipe out terrorism, Senate President David Mark has said.

Addressing senators yesterday at the resumption of the Senate from the Christmas and New Year vacation, Mark said internal security operations could benefit from imaginative legislative efforts aimed at deterring potential terrorists and making the task of the security forces less hazardous.

Mark, who said the Senate would enhance the capability of the security agencies to detect and nip these pernicious crimes in the bud as well as make stiffer penalties for their commission, reiterated his earlier calls for capital punishment for “this category of offences” (terrorism). He added that continued vigilance and greater sacrifice were still needed for terror and insecurity to be totally routed.

On the 2013 budget, Mark noted that apart from passing it in good time, the National Assembly had prudently and constructively made inputs that would help give vent to the administration’s economic and social vision.

He assured that the legislature would deploy the mechanism of oversight to ensure full implementation of the budget when signed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He called on the nation’s leadership to resist the temptation to sacrifice good governance on the altar of politics ahead of 2015 general elections.

He warned ministries, departments and agencies against smacking of disrespect and contumacy towards the Senate.