Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 11:11am.
Senator Kabiru Gaya moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 28th May 2019. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read two (2) letters from Mr. President on his decision to decline Assent to to the following Bills:
I. Institute of Chartered Biochemists and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2019; and
II. Nigerian Maritime University (Est. etc) Bill, 2018.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read a letter from Mr. President on the confirmation of appointment of Honorable Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Sadeeq as the President Customary Court of Appeal , FCT, Abuja.
POINT OF ORDER
Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan cited Order 1(b) and stated that because the Senate is sitting for close to the last time, normal processes for confirmation cannot be followed.
“I thereby suspend all our processes and dissolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider the appointment.”
Senate Leader suspended Order 17 to allow into the Chamber the Senior Apecial Adviser to Mr. President and Hon. Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Sadeeq.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the confirmation of Hon. Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Sadeeq as President Customary Court of Appeal , FCT, Abuja.
“I say to you that the Judiciary is the last hope for the common man and I have hope in you.”- Senator Shehu Sani.
“As a judge, I have known him for most of his adult life.”- Senator David Umaru.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Hon. Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Sadeeq was confirmed as President Customary Court of Appeal , FCT, Abuja.
MOTIONS
1. Withholding of Assent by the Senate Leader.
-The Senate recall that the President C-in-C had signified the withholding of his assent on the Energy Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 pursuant to section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the above Bill.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
The Senate accordingly resolved to:
Rescind it’s decision on the affected clauses of the Bill at the Committee of the Whole and the Bill is PASSED.
- The threat to downgrade Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu by Senator Victor Umeh.
“ I really appreciate the fast response of the Minister for these past 4years. This airport is strategic in its location. I fully support this motion, the airport (Akanu Ibiam) should not be downgraded.”- Senator Shehu Sani.
“I rise to lend my voice to this critical motion. We must ensure that this airport is not downgraded.”-Senator Barnabas Gemade.
“I fully support this motion and I want us to know that Enugu is the center of the South East and I will recommend that a new standard Airport should be built.”-Senator Tayo Alasoadura.
“Urgent steps must be taken to make sure the airport is put in order”-Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
“Let me thank everyone for our usual patriotism. The airport is not just for the people of Enugu, but for everyone, it is a universal issue and we must take it seriously.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“This matter has been on for a long time and every day we just keep our fingers crossed and pray nothing bad happens. I am happy the Senate has brought it up and this should be looked into by the government to repair the Enugu runway.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“As it stands now, flights do not land at night in Enugu. The Federal Government needs to look at the landing lights so that lives can be saved.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Senate resolved to:
I. Urge the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Aviation not to consider downgrading Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a matter of urgency;
II. Urge the Federal Government to rehabilitate the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for the safety of passengers and aircrafts;
III. Urge the Federal Government to take steps to complete the new terminal building of the Enugu International Airport and put it to use by local and foreign airlines;
IV. Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and it’s agencies to develop a water source with the nearby Ekulu River for the use of the airport;
V. Appreciate the Enugu State Government for swiftly demolishing and ordering the relocation of Orie Emene Market, shutting down the nearby abattoir and ordering the immediate removal of the broadcasting mast and other illegal structures on the approach of the airport; and
VI. Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation to return the generator set moves to Port-Harcourt airport.
BILL FOR CONCURRENCE
1. Federal University of Education, Nsugbe (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1067) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Federal University of Education, Nsugbe (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1067) was read the Second Time.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Federal University of Education, Nsugbe (Est, etc) Bill, 2019.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Federal University of Education, Nsugbe (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1067) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu.
-That the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of:
a. Petition from Nze Fabian Okechukwu against the Nigerian Navy for alleged unjust dismissal from the Navy;
b. Petition from Mr. Kingsley Torru on behalf of Riverman Technologies Limited against the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for non-payment of the sum of N9,375,616,700.00 for contract executed;
c. Petition from Igbinedion O. Peter against First Bank of Nigerian Plc for alleged unlawful termination of his appointment by the bank; and
d. Petition from Prince Engr. Ernest Onwudi on behalf of Ebocha Youths Association against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited for neglect and deprivation of the rights of the community by the company.
Senator Jonah Jang seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect to the above petitions.
Senate resolved:
a.That the decision of the Navy is sustained because the dismissal of Nze Fabian Okechukwu followed due process.
b. That the DPR should ensure adequate payment to Riverman Technologies Limited and the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream be mandated to ensure compliance.
c. The termination of Igbinedion O. Peter should be reversed as he did not commit any offense and First Bank should pay him a reasonable sum as compensation for his loss of income since the termination.
d. That awarding of money contracts be granted to enable the Ebocha Youths participate and the MOU be negotiated.
“Thank you Senator Sam Anyanwu for the report and your commitment in this Senate. Thank you for bringing the petitions with reasonable recommendations. I also thank the members of the Committee for the work well done.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
- Report of the Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector on the Promissory Note Programme and a Bond Issuance to settle Inherited Local Debts and Contractual obligations to Petroleum Marketers by Senator Kabir Marafa.
Senator Barau Jibrin seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector on the Promissory Note Programme and a Bond Issuance to settle Inherited Local Debts and Contractual obligations to Petroleum Marketers.
Senator Kabir Marafa presented the report.
“What has happened to those who defrauded the nation? I believe that the 9th Senate will do justice to know what has happened to this money.”-Senator Barnabas Gemade.
“I submit totally to this initiative as this will add value to the Petroleum sector.”-Senator Bassey Akpan.
“It is very sad for the country that the crude that we use to drive our cars are not manufactured in Nigeria and the cash spent on this is outrageous.”-Senator Victor Umeh.
“If we continue to hope that one day this subsidy will end, we are deceiving ourselves. What would Nigerians face after this payment of arrears?”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“People in government have refused to face the problem. Everyone is depending on oil revenue and yet no functional refineries have been set in place.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“The government should be able to plan to build 5 refineries, why can’t we use the money we get from sale of our crude to build refineries? The government should give us a programme to enable us have 4 functional refineries in 5 years. Exchange rates are not the problem, but our inability to do what others are doing is the main issue.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“Government should be serious in their policies and not be directionless in executing these policies.”- Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
“Let me thank Sen. Marafa and his colleagues for the painstaking work they have done in respect of this report.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“Distinguished Colleagues, I want us to note that we are coming to a closure on this as parliamentarians, I hope we can close the books in respect of that and think of the best way to deal with the subsidy issues. The factory aspect of it is what Senator Yusuf told us; the issue of subsidy is now a first line charge on oil drilling which is extremely dangerous.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“I hope that the next Assembly will be able to sit with the Executive to address this issue and resolve it without creating unnecessary tension. The NNPC needs to also caution themselves so that they do not encroach on the appropriation responsibility of the National Assembly.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“Having said this, I would like to thank all of us for looking into this report and trying to find lasting solutions. I hope that those who are owing are able to pay back the banks and get back to their businesses while we find lasting solutions to the issue of subsidy. We need to do something about provisions of refineries in our country – it is not rocket science. Even if it does not resolve the issue of subsidy, we would have gone a long way in addressing it.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Plenary is adjourned for fifteen (15) minutes and the Senate would reconvene by 2:00pm.
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 2:00pm.
Senator Binta Masi Garba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings I of Thursday, 30th May, 2019. Senator Foster Ogola seconded.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved for adjournment after concluding all the items on the Order Paper. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 6th June, 2019.
By GavelBangs
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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