Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON led the Principal Officers into the Chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:37am.
Senator Degi-Eremienyo Biobarakuma moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 12th December, 2019. Senator Binos Yaroe seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON read a letter from Mr. President on the confirmation of two (2) additional nominees as members of the National Hajj Commission namely: Bala Muhammad as the representative of Jama’atul Nasril Islam; and Yusuf Chinedozi Nwoha as representative of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON read a letter from Mr. President on the appointment of Chairman and members of the National Assembly Service Commission as follows:
Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, Chairman (Yobe, North East); Babagana Modu, Member (Borno, North East); Abubakar Tutare (Taraba, North East); Hakeem Akamo (Lagos, South West); Tunrayo Akintomide (Ondo, South West); Atanomeyorwi Francis (Delta, South South).
Others are: Bassey Etuk (Akwa-Ibom); Bailyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi (Zamfara, North West); Sani Saidu Kazaure (Jigawa, North West); Julius Ucha (Ebonyi, South East); Nnamdi Anyaechie (Imo, South East); Auwalu Aliyu Ohindase (Kogi, North Central); and Muazu Is’haq (Nasarawa, North Central).
2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan
-That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan in accordance with Sections 21 and 27 of the Debt Management Office (Est, etc) Act by Senate Leader.
Minority Leader seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan in accordance with Sections 21 and 27 of the Debt Management Office (Est, etc) Act.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON referred the executive communication to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to report in two (2) weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi cited Orders 42 & 52 and moved a motion on the urgent need to seek domestication of the African Continentental Free Trade Agreement by Act of the National Assembly.
“I rise to second this motion.”- Senator Basiru Ajibola.
“I join my very good friend to support that this policy be domesticated. We want to support Senator Adetunmbi on this particular motion so that we domesticate it. We want to make sure that we take care of our citizens before we start taking care of the whole of Africa.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“We must legislate on the policy before it is implemented. Let them bring the Immigration Act to amend so as to put this into consideration. The motion is in order and the President should send the Immigration Act for us to amend.”- Senator Gabriel Suswam.
“What this motion is trying to do is just to perfect what Mr. President has done. Since we have signed the AfCFTA, I think the next thing to do is to domesticate it. I want to strongly support that we ask the Executive to bring a Bill so that we can support what they want to do.”- Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
“All that needs to be done in terms of legislation should be done. It is a commendable policy while we make sure we put a legislation in place.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.
“I think it is necessary for us to state here that when International agreement are entered into by Nigeria, they should be properly domesticated. I support this need for domestication. What we are debating here is free entry visa for Africans and it needs an Act of the National Assembly to back it up.”- Senator Abba Moro.
Senate resolved to:
Invite the Minister of Interior to appear before the Senate Committees on Interior, Judiciary and Legal Matters to inform the Senate on the technical, logistics, legal and constitutional issues that are available and required for compliance before implementation of the said visa-on-arrival policy.
“There are other treaties and agreements that we have signed, the Attorney General of Federal and Minister of Justice should forward those agreement to the National Assembly for us to ratify them.”- Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
- Agricultural Processing Zones (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 258) by Senator Francis Alimikhena.
Agricultural Processing Zones (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 258) was read the First Time.
- Nigerian Peace Corps (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 271) by Senator Ali Ndume.
Nigerian Peace Corps (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 271) was read the First Time.
- Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 272) by Senator James Manager.
Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 272) was read the First Time.
- NDDC Act No. 6 2000 (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 273) by Senator Solomon Adeola.
NDDC Act No. 6 2000 (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 273) was read the First Time.
- Federal Orthopedic Hospital Kuta (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 279) by Senator Sani Musa.
Federal Orthopedic Hospital Kuta (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 279) was read the First Time.
- Federal College of Education, Illa Orangun Bill, 2019 (SB. 300) by Senator Basiru Ajibola.
Federal College of Education, Illa Orangun Bill, 2019 (SB. 300) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF A REPORT
Report of the Joint Committee on Navy, Marine Transport and Finance on the investigation of Illegal security activities by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) at the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) of Lagos Ports by Senator George Sekibo.
Senator James Manager seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Joint Committee on Navy, Marine Transport and Finance on the investigation of Illegal security activities by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) at the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) of Lagos ports.
The report was LAID.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS- Second Reading
- A Bill for an Act to provide the Legal Framework to establish the Federal Medical Centre Rigasa, Kaduna State and for related matters, 2019 (SB. 169) by Senator Uba Sani.
“Virtually across the nation today, health care facilities are overstretched and there is need to establish new ones. I urge my colleagues to join hands to support this Bill for the benefit of Nigerians.”- Senator Yakubu Oseni.
“This is a very good initiative particularly given the condition of Rigasa. I believe the establishment of this Medical Centre will raise the standard of living in the area. I want to support this Bill with the entirety of my constituency.”- Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
A Bill for an Act to provide the Legal Framework to establish the Federal Medical Centre Rigasa, Kaduna State and for related matters, 2019 (SB. 169) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON referred the Bill to the Committee on Health to report within four (4) weeks.
- A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Oil Palm Industrial Park and for matters connected therewith, 2019 (SB. 171) by Senator Micheal Nnachi.
“The idea behind this Bill is a welcomed one and it sits very squarely on diversification and job employment. I second that this Bill be read the second time.”- Senator Aliyu Sabi.
A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Oil Palm Industrial Park and for matters connected therewith, 2019 (SB. 171) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON referred the Bill to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to report within four (4) weeks.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
- Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Ayo Akinyelure in respect of:
a. Petition from Rex Onyekachi Uzoegbu, Esq. on Behalf of Chief Ezekiel Ariaye and Chief James Wege Against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited for Alleged Inhumanity, Cruelty, Servitude, Fragrant Disobedience to Law of Equity, Social Justice, Bad Conscience And Deliberate Continuous Refusal to Adequately Compensate Chief Ezekiel Ariaye and Chief James Wege for Their Life-threatening, Great Bodily Harm By NAOC;
b. Petition from Alhaji Aminu Ja’afar and Three (3) Others against the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, For the Unjust Withdrawal of Four (4) Cadets From the Academy on Academic Grounds;
c. Petition from Nwachukwu A. Ndukwe Against the Hon. Minister of Water Resources for Delaying His Appointment as Executive Director in Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority; and
d. Petition from M.S. Chado, Esq. on Behalf of Mr. Isah Ndagi Maiyaki Against the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for Unlawful Termination of His Appointment Over Alleged Forgery by the Agency.
Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above petitions.
Senator Ayo Akinyelure presented the report.
A. Petition from Rex Onyekachi Uzoegbu, Esq. on Behalf of Chief Ezekiel Ariaye and Chief James Wege Against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited for Alleged Inhumanity, Cruelty, Servitude, Fragrant Disobedience to Law of Equity, Social Justice, Bad Conscience And Deliberate Continuous Refusal to Adequately Compensate Chief Ezekiel Ariaye and Chief James Wege for Their Life-threatening, Great Bodily Harm By NAOC.
Senate resolved to:
- That the Senate do commend the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited for accepting the advice of the Senate through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Peritions and for issuing certified bank Cheques in settlement of the agreed sum of N40,000,000 to both petitioners, Chief Ezekiel Ariaye and Chief James Wege at the rate of N20,000,000 each as compensation for all that they suffered, thereby resolving the age long matter arising from the petition amicably and permanently; and
- That the Senate do direct that the management of NAOC should comply with the mutual agreement reached with the petitioners to award reasonable contracts to the petitioners soonest for empowerment needed to sustain their continued existence and to maintain good relationship with the host community and the petitioners in particular henceforth.
B. Petition from Alhaji Aminu Ja’afar and Three (3) Others against the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, For the Unjust Withdrawal of Four (4) Cadets From the Academy on Academic Grounds.
Senate resolved to:
That the Senate finds the inability of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to relegate and withdraw Cadet Aminu Ja’afar after two academic sessions according to its own rules, unacceptable and unjust and accordingly demands that justice be restored and Cadet Aminu Ja’afar be reinstated to complete his degree programme in Geography Department.
C. Petition from Nwachukwu A. Ndukwe Against the Hon. Minister of Water Resources for Delaying His Appointment as Executive Director in Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority.
Senate resolved to:
- That since vacancies would occur between now and the first quarter of 2020, the Minister should honour his word and give Abia State priority over the other constituent states in the appointment of new Executive Directors into the Board of Anambra / Imo River Basin Development Authority; and
- Appoint the Abia State nominee as an Executive Director in line with Federal Character principle of engagement into public service of the Federation.
D. Petition from M.S. Chado, Esq. on Behalf of Mr. Isah Ndagi Maiyaki Against the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for Unlawful Termination of His Appointment Over Alleged Forgery by the Agency.
Senate resolved to:
- That the Senate directs that Mr. Isah Ndagi Maiyaki be reinstated by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and be paid all his entitlements as his indictment; investigation and termination of his appointment were not holistic and crystal clear, and therefore, sounded more like victimization as there was no visible evidence to justify his disengagement from service; and
- That NAFDAC should liaise with the Nigeria Police Force to conduct further investigation by arresting and interrogating Mr. Suleiman Haruna, a staff of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and principal suspect to the crime to unearth his involvement in the crime and subsequent punishment in line with the provisions of relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
MOTIONS
- The need to investigate alleged ill treatment and injustices suffered by Nigerian traders and businesses in Ghana by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“I second this motion.”- Senator Binos Yaroe.
“I support the intentment of the motion. However, I differ from the procedure.”- Senator Yusuf Yusuf.
“I agree with the mover of this motion. The intentment of this motion is the protection of our citizens living in Africa. I think we should let this motion seek to make sure that we call attention to what is happening.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“What this honorable chamber should do is liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an on the spot assessment on what is going on.”- Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa.
“What this discussion throws back to us is the necessity to do our country good. We should investigate to know exactly what the situation is. Every responsible country must protect its citizens, culture and economy.”- Senator Sandy Onor.
“The Senate should constitute a small committee to find out what went wrong and what can be done to make enabling environment in Nigeria as conducive as that of Ghana so they can come back to invest here. I urge my colleagues to support the motion so that we can do something as an intervention by the Senate.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
Senate resolved to:
Delegate the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Trade and investment to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the status of Nigerian businesses in Ghana and report in four (4) weeks.
“The time has come for Nigerian authorities to engage with Ghanian authorities to know what is happening and find a solution to this.”- Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON.
- The Gridlock on the Calabar – Itu Federal Highway by Senator Sandy Onor.
“This is a major Trunk A road that leads to seven states. The major problem I see is not the contractor, it is on the release of funds. This is a very important and urgent motion.”- Senator Eyakenyi Akon.
Senate resolved to:
- Urge the Federal Government to immediately mandate Julius Berger to, as a matter of economic emergency, resume the rehabilitation and dualization of the Calabar – Itu Federal Highway;
- Fund the project in a meaningful manner as to accelerate commitment on the part of Julius Berger and ensure speedy completion of the project; and
- Observe a minute silence in honour of those who have already lost their lives in the Ocean pathway of Calabar and Oron.
- Urgent Need for Rehabilitation of Itobe – Ajaokuta Road, in Kogi State by Senator Isah Jibrin.
“I rise to support this motion and to say that the road is a Federal Government road and more importantly a Trunk A road. It is a road that is important towards the acceleration of economic activities in our country. It is a very important road and the time has come for us to look at federal government roads holistically and take a major step in involving Public Private Partnership (PPP) to maintain these roads.”- Senator Smart Adeyemi.
“In support of this motion, I want to plead this Senate to kindly help us particularly in this period of festive period to make sure the little portion that are motorable and barricaded by the construction company be removed to ensure smooth ride for commuters pending the time palliative works are done on the road.”- Senator Yakubu Oseni.
Senate resolved to:
Call on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to commence immediate palliative work on the road.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that plenary be adjourned to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 18th December, 2019.
GavelBangs
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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