Conference Hall’ – Senators Complain Over Poor Quality of Reconstructed Senate Chamber

Senators today expressed anger over the condition of the reconstructed Chamber, which they described as a ‘mere conference room’.

Controversy has trailed the refurbished Senate Chambers since plenary resumed in the facility last week.

Last Tuesday’s plenary was trailed by confusion as some Senators quarreled over sitting arrangements in the renovated chamber.

During plenary on Tuesday, complaints over the standard of the Chambers led to a rowdy session which lasted for about 15 minutes and eventually forced the Senate into executive session.

The Chief Whip of the Senate and lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who raised the issues through Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, said, “What is supposed to be a Chamber, has been turned into a Conference Hall”, a development which he said is not acceptable.

Agreeing with Ndume’s observations, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his response, however explained to Ndume that it is not a National Assembly contract but that of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA