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 10:35am.
Senator Ashiru Oyelola moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 12th February 2020. Senator Micheal Nnachi seconded.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Kashim Shettima cited Orders 42 and 52 and moved a motion regarding the Boko Haram attack on Auno Community in Borno State.
“We need to direct our security agencies to focus on security. we need to change our focus on security, we are being reactive. Intelligence gathering, technology driven security apparatus should be adopted in nipping this in the bud.”- Senator Hadejia Ibrahim.
“If we stand here for one minute for those who have died we would probably stand here for 28-29 days for those who have died.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“What has happened in Auno is the failure of the present security arrangement.”- Senator Aliyu Sabi.
“I think it is high time we approached this differently. We as elected representatives of our people must move beyond talking on the floor here.”- Senator Gabriel Suswam.
Senate resolved to:
- Condemn in strong terms the dastardly act perpetrated by these insurgents;
- Observe a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased and victims of the attacks;
- Urge the Federal Government to begin a process of rehabilitating the affected communities through the North East Development Commission;
- Urge the military authorities to establish a base in Auno to intensify their efforts in the fight against insurgency in the North East and instruct the Defence Headquarters to set up a panel to investigate what transpired at Auno and find measures to forestall future occurrence;
- Urge the Federal Government through NEMA and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to send relief materials to the families of those affected by the attacks; and
- Urge the military and all relevant agencies involved in the fight against Boko Haram to re-engineer and/or rejig their approach towards fighting insurgency in the North East and other parts of Nigeria.
“In a time like this, it is extremely essential that leaders come together regardless of their political platforms or beliefs. We have to continue to remain focused and united to ensure that we deal with this security challenge in our country. When we hold people responsible, they are likely to perform their job. We are talking about lives of the people that we represent. We should ensure there is proper training for the security personnels.”- Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
- Federal College of Education Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 269) by Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Federal College of Education Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 269) was read the First Time.
- Federal College of Education (Technical) Michika, Adamawa State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 312) by Senator Ishaku Elisha.
Federal College of Education (Technical) Michika, Adamawa State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 312) was read the First Time.
- Institute of Information and Communication Technology Billiri, Gombe State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 313) by Senator Amos Bulus.
Institute of Information and Communication Technology Billiri, Gombe State (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 313) was read the First Time.
- Prohibition of Discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diplomas Bill, 2020 (SB. 297) by Senator Ayo Akinyelure.
Prohibition of Discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diplomas Bill, 2020 (SB. 297) was read the First Time.
- Federal Medical Centre Kaura namoda (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 314) by Senator Alhaji Sahabi.
Federal Medical Centre Kaura namoda (Est etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 314) was read the First Time.
MOTION
- The need to mainstream the National Parks Service into the Nigeria security architecture by Senator Sadiq Suleiman.
“This motion is timely and apt.”- Senator Aliyu Sabi.
“This is a very important motion.”- Senator Uba Sani.
“We should take urgent steps with collaboration with other arms of government to build stronger institutions. It is a very conspicuous time for this motion to be given necessary consideration.”- Senator Abba Moro.
“This motion is apt and important especially now that we are considering the security architecture of Nigeria in general. If we do not protect our parks there is likelihood that we will not be able to generate money from tourism.”- Senator Ashiru Oyelola.
“It is good for the parks to be better managed from the security perspectives.”- Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
Senate resolved to:
- Mainstream the National Park service into the National security architecture in like with the resolution of the 12th National Council on Environment (FMENV/!@th/NCE/FED/IG?123);
- Give special training in fire arms and ballistics as well as surveillance and intelligence information gathering to park rangers;
- Conclude the tripartite consultation (Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Interior) on the presidential intervention; and
- Involve other security agencies in park protection and surveillance.
CONSIDERATION OF A BILL- Second Reading
- A Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act Cap. P19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and to enact the Nigeria Police Bill, 2019 to provide for the framework for the police service and ensure cooperation and partnership between the police and communities in maintaining peace and combating crime; and for related matters, 2020 (SB. 181) by Senator Jika Halliru.
“This Bill is very important, it has captured everything about community policing, it must be very holistic and everything we have been talking about is all in this Bill. Whatever the military can do the police force can certainly do, what is lacking is the necessary funding and deployment of equipment.”- Senator James Manager.
“This Bill should work and if it works this country will benefit from the structure. This Senate should assist the country by fast tracking the passage of this Bill and ensure it is passed into law.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“Effective policing must be community base. What we have at present was what was put in place by colonial masters and inherited by the military. This Bill will equally address the challenge of community policing that we are talking about. I think everyone should ensure that this Bill is passed.”- Senator Smart Adeyemi.
A Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act Cap. P19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and to enact the Nigeria Police Bill, 2019 to provide for the framework for the police service and ensure cooperation and partnership between the police and communities in maintaining peace and combating crime; and for related matters, 2020 (SB. 181) was read the Second Time.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON referred the Bill to the Committee on Police Affairs to report within four (4) weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day to enable Senators attend Committee meetings. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 18th February 2020.
Be the first to comment