The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Sen. Ita Enang, said the Senate had resolved to give priority attention to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) immediately it resumed from the Christmas and New Year Break.

Enang gave the hint on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the Senate from September to December 2012, and activities in focus from Jan. 15.

"You will see this priority and commitment as soon as we publish the PIB because a Bill sees the light of the day when it is listed on the floor of the Senate to be considered.

"So, the contributions that would be made by senators is intended to heighten interest in the bill and enlighten the public more on the content of the PIB.

"All these we will take account of when considering the Bill for second reading in taking decisions on it, "Enang said.

He said out of the 163 Bills presented and considered, 32 were read for the second time and referred to the relevant committees while five were passed during the period.

"They are the 2013 Appropriation Bill, the Money Laundering Act (Amendment) Bill, the Terrorism Act (Amendment) Bill, the Prisons Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill and the National Automotive Council Bill.

"During the same period, the Senate had passed 15 resolutions 'bordering on the plights of Nigerian citizens, the environment, economy, national security and the demise of prominent Nigerians.

"With the passage of these Bills, the Senate has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the critical sectors of the economy, the security of lives and properties of its citizens as well as prisons decongestion."

Enang said that priority consideration would be given to the budget of the 43 Federal Government-owned corporations as annexture to the 2013 budget as submitted by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

"The president submitted the national budget along with the budget of the statutory corporations to the National Assembly.

"This budget of the statutory corporations is one of the things we will give priority to as we resume."

The lawmaker added that reports of the petroleum subsidy probe and the crash of Dana and Allied airlines would also be considered once the Senate resumed from the end of the year break.