PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2018.
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10.52am.
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday 23rd January, 2018. Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari for the passage of the 2017 budget estimate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Bill.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced Senators Shehu Sani, Biodun Olujimi, Hope Uzodinma, Dino Melaye, Peter Nwaoboshi as members of the Senate conference committee on National Electoral offenses Commission and Senator Suleiman Nazif as the chairman of the committee and requested that they meet with the House committee on National Electoral offenses Commission.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa cited order 43 and thanked Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget read,said that there are 2 or 3 states not represented in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board and pleaded with the Senate to allow the committee to proceed with the resolution in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
“We need to pass the resolution on this matter, we’ll look at it to see whether the exercise itself started before the resolution.”-Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
2017 FCT Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 598) by Senate Leader.
Senate leader moved that the Nigerian Senate do suspend order 79 to fast track the passage of the Bill.
The 2017 FCT Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 598) was read the first and Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on FCT to report back on Tuesday.
Fire (hazard, prevention and safe guard) Bill, 2018 (SB. 568) by Senator Gershom H. Bassey.
Fire (hazard, prevention and safe guard) Bill, 2018 (SB. 568) was read the First Time.
Federal Polytechnic Orogun, Delta State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 549) by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Federal Polytechnic Orogun, Delta State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 549) was read the First Time.
Federal College of Education Usugbenu, Irrua, Edo State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 554) by Senator Clifford Ordia.
Federal College of Education Usugbenu, Irrua, Edo State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 554) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
Report of the committee on Communications on the Nigeria Postal Services Act CAP N127 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 106 & 437) by Senator Gilbert Nnaji.
Senator Tijjani Kaura seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Communications on the Nigeria Postal Services Act CAP N127 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 106 & 437).
The Report was LAID.
Report of the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University, Gashua (establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 459) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University, Gashua (establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 459).
The Report was LAID.
Report of the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 504) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Mohammed Hassan seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 504).
The Report was LAID.
MOTION
1. Monumental corruption at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by Senator Dino Melaye.
“We’ve been looking into this matter since last year, the name of the account is Brass LNG, which has the presidential assent and we are still investigating this matter.”- Senator Akpan Bassey.
Senate resolves to:
Mandate the committee on public accounts and committee on oil and gas to carry out a holistic investigation into the activities of the Brass LNG and the complicity therein as well as the level of corruption that has taken place and report back within 4 weeks.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS-Second Reading
A Bill for an act to provide for the amendment of the National Institute of Sports Act CAP N52 LFN 2004 to provide for the decentralization of the institute and for other related matters, 2018 (SB. 75) by Senator Shehu Sani.
“I support the Bill as it is important to the country. There will be zonal offices in all geo-political zone and this will bring the sporting activities to the people, enhance the development of sport in the country and take the status of sports to a higher level.”-Senator Barau Jibrin.
“I also agree that sport serves as a unifying and engaging activity of employment to the unemployed, if decentralized it will help the people.”- Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
The Bill for an act to provide for the amendment of the National Institute of Sports Act CAP N52 LFN 2004 to provide for the decentralization of the institute and for other related matters, 2018 (SB. 75) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Sports to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to prescribe punishment for acts and conduct that are undemocratic by elected officials and or person(s) and other matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB. 51) by Senator Bala Na’allah.
“The only way to punish officials that are undemocratic is to make sure they never come back into power.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
The Bill for an act to prescribe punishment for acts and conduct that are undemocratic by elected officials and or person(s) and other matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB. 51) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human rights and Legal matters to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 581) by Senator Dino Melaye.
“I support the Bill. it is desirable with the situation in the country in fighting crimes like corruption and very useful in regulating the activities of accountants. You cannot find crime successfully without the help of forensic accountants, let us move with what is trending and invoke around the world.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Tayo Alasoadura said I do not support this Bill because of the following reasons:
-Let us improve on the standard of the accountants in the country because if any accountant fails in his duties he/she can go to court to defend his work;
-Let us promote the standard rather than water down the standard of the profession.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir supported Senator Tayo Alasoadura’s view by saying that accounting has many branches like cost accounting, accounting management e.t.c
The Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 581) was read the Second Time.
Senate President,Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to establish the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria and for related matters 2018 (SB. 289) by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.
Senator Joshua Lidani supported the Bill as it is a recent happening around the world in terms of communications and logistics. Thus, it will help the standard of communication and logistics and also provide guidelines to foreigners and the citizens in general.
“Transportation is a major source of internally generated revenue in Uk, US and other countries, a Bill like this promotes economic integration and social welfare of the people.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
The Bill for an act to establish the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria and for related matters 2018 (SB. 289) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Land Transport to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to amend the National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency Act 2006 and for other related matters, 2018 (SB. 557) by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“We should formidably support this Bill, it’s a well thought-out bill which will reduce environmental degradation and foster the National Oil spill detection response agency to respond with alacrity wherever the issue of oil spill occurs.”-Senator Na’allah.
The Bill for an act to amend the National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency Act 2006 and for other related matters, 2018 (SB. 557) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Environment to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to make provision for the prevention, protection and provision of assistance to internally displaced persons and affected communities in Nigeria and give effect to the African Union Convention for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 491) by Senator David Umaru.
“I support the Bill as this seeks the protection of lives. For instance, the killing & raping of IDP members across the 6 geopolitican zone, this bill is humanitarian in nature & every Senator should embrace this bill to be passed for the purpose of protecting lives.”-Sen. Barau Jibrin.
The Bill for an act to make provision for the prevention, protection and provision of assistance to internally displaced persons and affected communities in Nigeria and give effect to the African Union Convention for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 491) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Special duties to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an act to establish the Correction, Reformation and Re-integration Centre to provide support services for prisons in the area of reformation, re-integration and youthful offender programming, 2018 (SB. 308) by Senator Gershom H. Bassey.
“The Bill is very important because the condition is very terrible and over time criminals have been convicted into prisons for petty theft and remain there for one year where they meet criminals with worst crimes. The reformation is important and this will help prisoners to be productive and engage in diverse ways and also add value to the society when returning from prison.”- Senator Ben Murray Bruce.
Senator Andrew Uchendu supported the Bill and said it’s time for the Nigerian Senate to reform and amend the bill.
The Bill for an act to establish the Correction, Reformation and Re-integration Centre to provide support services for prisons in the area of reformation, re-integration and youthful offender programming, 2018 (SB. 308) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Interior to report back in 4 weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 25th January, 2018.
#GavelBangs.
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.