TodayInSenatePlenary: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 22ND MAY, 2019
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 22ND MAY, 2019
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 11:05am.
Senator Yusuf Yusuf moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 21st May 2019. Senator Joshua Lidani seconded.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Shehu Sani cited Order 43 and informed the Senate that gunmen stormed a church on the outskirts of Kaduna State.
“Pastors and some worshipers were taken away from the church.”
Senator Ibrahim Gobir cited Order 43 and informed the Senate on kidnappers terrorizing eight (8) local governments in Sokoto State. As a result of these attacks, men no longer sleep in their houses and not a day passes by without women being kidnapped.
“Thank you for bringing that to our notice. As you know the government, particularly the police are doing their best to address the security situation particularly in the North West.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“I think what we need to do is bring this to the attention of the Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs so that special attention can be given as it affects Sokoto State.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
- FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill, 2019 (HB. 1279) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill, 2019 (HB. 1279) was read the First Time.
- University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and Veterinary Specialist Hospital Abuja (Constitution of Boards) Bill, 2019 (HB. 568) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and Veterinary Specialist Hospital Abuja (Constitution of Boards) Bill, 2019 (HB. 568) was read the First Time.
- National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1578) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1578) was read the First Time.
- Defence Intelligence Agency Civillian Pension Board (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1557) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Defence Intelligence Agency Civillian Pension Board (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1557) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF A REPORT
- Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 615) 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 College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 615).
The Report was LAID.
MOTIONS
- Withholding of Assent by Senate Leader.
The Senate recalls that the President C-in-C had signified the withholding of his assent on the following Bills pursuant to section 58(4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended); - Avoidance of Double Taxation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Korea;
- Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria Bill, 2019; and
- Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (FIN) (Establishment) Bill, 2019.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the above Bills.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Senate accordingly resolved to:
Rescind it’s decision on the affected Clauses of the Bills at the Committee of the Whole and the Bills were PASSED.
- Frightening killings in Rivers State by Senator Andrew Uchendu.
“I second this motion. We must never protect our own when they are wrong. We must take a decisive decision. I am totally in support of the prayers.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“Let’s call a spade a spade, let’s look back to understand the causes of this situation before we start proffering solutions.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.
“I sympathize with the people of Rivers State, this crime continues to happen because we have not done anything about it. If we don’t find the people who do these things, parade and punish them, others will still do the same thing.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
Senate resolved to:
- Urge the Rivers State Government to immediately liaise with the security agencies in Rivers State to stop the incessant killings and kidnapping of innocent citizens in Rivers State;
- Urge the Federal and the Fivers State Government to develop workable strategies that would stop the rising cases of killings in the state; and
- Appeal to all sons and daughters of the state to work towards finding a lasting peace in the beleaguered state.
“Let me thank Senator Uchendu for bringing this motion, I think as we all said, the security situation in the country is a matter of concern to all of us. We should never allow or put down issues of criminality, they must be dealt with decisively.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“The issue of Rivers State will be addressed, it is important for both the State Government and the Federal Government to work very closely together in resolving this problem.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
- Conference Committee Report on the Nigeria Football Federation (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 154) by Senator Shehu Sani.
Senator James Manager seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee Report on the Nigeria Football Federation (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 154).
Senator Shehu Sani presented the report.
The report was Approved.
“Thank you very much Senator Shehu Sani, let me once again congratulate our colleagues for a landmark Bill that has been passed here. In trying to put the administration of football in this country in line with best practices has always been stampeded and prevented for different reasons.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“I am happy that under this 8th Senate we have finally passed it. This Bill will make the administration much better and continue to put us in a better place. I thank all those in the Sport Committee both in the House of Representatives and the Senate for passing a Bill that has taken soo long.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“I am sure that lovers of football and lovers of this country will be delighted for this achievement.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
- Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 736) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
Senator Abu Kyari seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 736).
Senator Emmanuel Paulker laid and presented the report.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 736).
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 736) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
- Report of the Committre on Public Accounts on the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2019 (SB. 742) by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committre on Public Accounts on the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2019 (SB. 742).
Senator Matthew Urhoghide laid and presented the report.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2019 (SB. 742).
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Federal Audit Service Bill, 2019 (SB. 742) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
“Let me thank the Chairman of the Public Accounts and our colleagues. This bill is a very important Bill in the fight against corruption; truly it is a bedrock.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“There is no way we can say we would make any progress in the fight against corruption if we still have over 200 – 300 of our agencies not audited and do not send audit reports. It is through this Bill that we will begin to tackle those issues.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“I want us to commend all those who have done this and I hope Mr. President this time around would assent to this Bill because this is a Bill that will go a long way in helping the government fight corruption.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“As long as the agencies are not audited and do not provide audit reports, we are just paying lip service to the fight against corruption.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“The fight against corruption is through institutions – you must strengthen the institutions that will do it and this is a Bill that will do that. We hope this time around we would be successful and get the assent of Mr. President.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
- Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria Bill, 2019 (HB. 623) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
- Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1258) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
- Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, 2019 (HB. 1571) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
- Corporate Bodies (Members Emolument) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2019 (HB. 669) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
- National Institute for Brackish Water Fisheries Research, Ngo-Andoni (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1310) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
- Nigeria Council for Management Development Bill, 2019 (HB. 461) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
- Traffic Warden Service Bill, 2019 (HB.596) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
- The Nigeria Road Safety Commission Bill, 2019 (HB. 1328) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
All eight (8) Bills for Concurrence were read the Second Time.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the above Bills for Concurrence.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria Bill, 2019 (HB. 623) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1258) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, 2019 (HB. 1571) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Corporate Bodies (Members Emolument) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2019 (HB. 669) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
National Institute for Brackish Water Fisheries Research, Ngo-Andoni (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 1310) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Nigeria Council for Management Development Bill, 2019 (HB. 461) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Traffic Warden Service Bill, 2019 (HB.596) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
The Nigeria Road Safety Commission Bill, 2019 (HB. 1328) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved for adjournment after concluding all the items on the Order Paper. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 23rd May, 2019.