The Senate has been urged to ensure speedy passage of the bill establishing the College of Geological and Cement Studies in Iselu, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The bill which passed First Reading at the Senate on October 5, was sponsored by the Senator representing Ogun West, Olamilekan Adeola.
According to reports, Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State is one of the areas with a large deposit of limestone and other natural resources.
The local government plays host to one of the cement factories owned by the Dangote Group in Ibese community.
This, newsmen learnt, had informed Adeola’s decision to sponsor a bill asking the Federal Government to establish the College of Ecological and Cement Studies in Iselu area of Yewa North.
Speaking, members of the Ketu Advancement Forum (KAF), on Monday urged Adeola to do all he could to ensure that both the Senate and the House of Representatives support the speedy passage of the bill.
“We fervently urge you to deploy all your legislative sagacity at mobilising members of both Chambers of the National Assembly to kindly support the speedy passage of the bill and the establishment of the College,” the group said in a statement signed by its Coordinator-General, Kunle Abiose and the Secretary-General, Dotun Adeleye.
The group commended Adeola, saying, “This is more fitting for Iselu and Ketu land with their preponderance of limestone deposit, which is one of the largest in Nigeria.”
Likewise, the Pro-Democracy Group, Alimosho, in an open letter, expressed appreciation that the Senate allowed the Bill to pass its First Reading on the floor of the Senate on Thursday.
According to the letter signed by its Convener, Sharafadeen Anifowoshe, the group, said this “clearly shows the desire of the National Assembly to facilitate the birth of a specialized institution that will be building and producing Engineers for the geological and cement industries of our dear country, Nigeria.”
He said, “The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has gotten approval from the President to commence the usage of cement/concrete roads across the country. This is sequel to the many benefits that concrete roads have over roads built with asphalts.
“This new roadmap will increase the demand for cement in the country; hence the need for Engineers who will be required in the massive cement industry.”
The Pro-Democracy Group appealed to the Senate to expedite actions on the passage of the Bill to pave the way for its assent by President Bola Tinubu.
“Once again, we would like to appreciate the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Sponsor of the Bill, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and other highly respected Senators for the interest shown in the Bill.
“We thank the Senate again in anticipation of a quick passage of the Bill that will support the Executive of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to diversify the economy from crude oil to other mineral resources for the betterment of our dear country, Nigeria,” it was stated.