PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 31ST MAY, 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 11:16am.

Senator Andy Uba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 30th May, 2018. Senator Peter Nwaoboshi seconded.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Dino Melaye cited Order 14, stated that Mr. President through Channels and AIT insulted the National Assembly saying he does not know what they are doing and many of us have been here for over 10 years yet, have nothing to show for it.

“This statement is demeaning to the National Assembly. I call on Mr. President to apologize on the statement issued by him to the National Assembly.”- Senator Dino Melaye.

“The Comptroller-General of customs is the chairman of the Buhari campaign organisation, the Comptroller-General is a rank and shouldn’t lead a campaign organization.”-Senator Dino Melaye

“First of all, I do not believe that Mr President wants to be misquoted by the National Assembly. As such, we should not rush to come to this conclusion and in so doing make contributions that might be of concern.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“At the same time, we all agree that this institution is an institution that we must all protect at any given time. The agencies that continue to participate in politics as well, we must call them to order. These institutions have a role to play and as such they must not in any way be seen to be doing things like that.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Kabir Marafa cited Order 43 and brought to the notice of the Senate the killings of about 80 people in Zamfara State in the past one week.

“It is my intention to lead a delegation of our colleagues. We have been saying it for a while, the issues, and I think it is something that we need to really take a closer look and see what we can do to really address it because one of the presentations we heard, in some of the other states a lot of people are coming right from the forests.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We must address the issue in Zamfara state and see what we can do to help both humanitarian support and security support. We also have to opportunity today, the NSA will be briefing us, we have an opportunity to find out whether there is any way we can address this terrible situation in Zamfara state.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1087) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1087) was read the First Time.

Architects (Registration, etc) CAP A19 LFN 2004 Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 254) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Architects (Registration, etc) CAP A19 LFN 2004 Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 254) was read the First Time.

Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 684) by Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso.

Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 684) was read the First Time.

Credit Control Bill, 2018 (SB. 685) by Senator Umaru Kurfi.

Credit Control Bill, 2018 (SB. 685) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters I’m respect of a motion on the plight of retired judges of State High Courts and the need to harmonize the process of paying the retirement benefits of all judges of Superior Courts of record in Nigeria by Senator David Umaru.

Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in respect of a motion on the plight of retired judges of State High Courts and the need to harmonize the process of paying the retirement benefits of all judges of Superior Courts of record in Nigeria.

The Report was LAID.

Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Local Content in respect of a motion on the legislative investigation of local content elements and cost variation relating to Egina Oil Field and other related projects by Senator Adeola Solomon.

Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate do receive the Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Local Content in respect of a motion on the legislative investigation of local content elements and cost variation relating to Egina Oil Field and other related projects.

The Report was LAID.

Report of the Committee on INEC on the INEC Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 231 & 234) (HB. 165, 174, 220, 429, 468, 484, 809, 966) by Senator Suleiman Nazif.

Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on INEC on the INEC Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 231 & 234) (HB. 165, 174, 220, 429, 468, 484, 809, 966).

The Report was LAID.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Confirmation of nomination by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
-That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the confirmation of the nomination of Attahiru Garba Madami for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a replacement for Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Niger State in accordance with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the executive communication on the confirmation of nomination of Attahiru Garba Madami for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC to the Committee on INEC to report back next week.

MOTIONS
Referral of Climate Change Bill, 2018 and Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill, 2018 by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Senator Philip Aduda seconded the motion raised by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Senate resolved to:
That the Bills be referred to the respective Conference Committees (Conference Committee on the Climate Change and Conference Committee on the Petroleum Industry and Governance respectively) that had earlier worked on them to consider the observations raised by the Directorate of Legal Services and report back to the Senate within one week.

“The Chairmen Senate Committee on Petroleum and Climate Change should look into it and report back by next week.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Need to provide and distribute relief packages to victims of flood/ rainstorm in Modibi, Sabin Gari Wayo, Shinkafir, Kukar Geza and Ambadada in Katsina Local Government Area of Katsina State by Senator Umaru Kurfi.

“I second and support this motion and I appeal to my colleagues to do same.”- Senator Abu Ibrahim

Senate resolved to:
I. Observe one minute silence in honour of the deceased; and

II. Direct the National Emergeny Management Agency (NEMA( to provide relief to the victims in the affected areas to facilitate their relocation, resettlement and continuous survival.

Destruction of property in Gumel, Jigawa State: need for urgent action by Senator Abdullahi Gumel.

Senator Shehu Sani seconded and supported the motion.

Senate resolved to:
I. Call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene through provision of relief materials to the victims of the natural disaster and to help in the rebuilding of their homes, worship places and schools; and

II. Call on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and other relevant government agencies to be more proactive in predicting and giving early warning signals of natural disasters so that people can be warned and precautionary measures taken to minimize the disastrous effects of such natural disasters.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
Conference Committee report on the Demutualization Bill, 2018 (SB. 531) by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

Senator Barau Jibrin seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee report on the Demutualization Bill, 2018 (SB. 531).

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa presented the report.

Senate approved the Conference Committee report on the Demutualization Bill, 2018 (SB. 531).

“I want to thank the members of the capital market particularly in doing this, we also remember our colleague Senator Bukar Mustapha who worked really hard in seeing this Demutualisation Bill passed.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“Unfortunately by the wish of the Almighty Allah, he is not with us here to see, but I think his hard work was doing this. This bill has been ongoing now for I think 15 years when the stock exchange had been trying to pass this bill.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

”It was in his time that he started the process and this bill will definitely put Nigeria again amongst best places for investment. All global economies today have gone in this direction.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

”So again, I’ll want to thank everybody in the 8th Senate and National Assembly for this giant step we are taking to really position this country for investment and put us among best global practices and particularly this one is in memory of our former colleague.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim on screening for confirmation of the following persons as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

1. Professor Ummu Ahmed Jalingo;
2. Professor Justitia Odinakachukwu;
3. Nnabuko, Professor Mike I. Obadan;
4. Dr. Abdu Abubakar; and
5. Adeola Adetunji.

Senator Clifford Ordia seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on screening for confirmation of the above persons as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim presented the report.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committeeof the Whole for the clause by clause consideration on screening for confirmation of the above persons as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Nomination of Professor Ummu Ahmed Jalingo was confirmed as Non- Exective Director of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nomination of Professor Justitia Odinakachukwu was confirmed as Non- Exective Director of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nomination of Nnabuko, Professor Mike I. Obadan was confirmed as Non- Exective Director of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nomination of Adeola Adetunji was confirmed as Non- Exective Director of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the confirmation of Dr. Abdu Abubakar as Non-Executive Director of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria to the Committee on Banking for further legislative action.

“Let me congratulate these new members of the Board of Central Bank and charge them to their responsibilities and continue to work and  continue to support the growth of our economy.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

SECURITY BRIEFING
Security briefing on the proliferation of dangerous firearms, spate of killings by terrorists and kidnapping by hoodlums across the country by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
-That the Senate do receive the National Security Adviser to brief this Distinguished Senate on the proliferation of dangerous firearms, spate of killings by terrorists and kidnapping by hoodlums across the country.

Senate Leader cited Order 17 for the Senate to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole and to admit the National Security Adviser into the Chamber.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate moved into an executive session at 12:39pm and resumes at 3:13.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki reports that at the Executive Session the Senate discussed on the Proliferation of dangerous firearms, spate of killings by terrorists and kidnapping by hoodlums across the country.

“He answered questions from Distinguished Senators bordering on security insurgence, terrorism, kidnapping, coordination of the security agencies and the general killings in the country.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“Thereafter we directed that he submits a funding request similar to other Head of security agencies that have come before us and also submit consideration for where relevant amendments to existing laws involving security agencies needs consideration.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

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 Tuesday, 5th June, 2018

#GavelBangs

Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.