Today In Plenary: Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Wednesday, 7th June, 2017

Its a new Legislative day in the Nigerian Senate. Senate President Bukola Saraki took the official prayer and led the Senate into today's proceedings.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 6th June, 2017. Senator Philip Gyunka seconded.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomed the staffs and Students who were present in the gallery to observe the Plenary.

POINT OF ORDER

Senator Ibrahim Danbaba cited orders 42 and 52 and spoke about the extortion of Hajj pilgrims by National Hajj Commission. He said that about #1,555,000 per Pilgrim is being extorted. Senator Ibrahim Danbaba stated that people pay for unnecessary charges in contradiction to the normal levy.

Senate resolved that the National Hajj Commission should review the 2017 fare and Committee on foreign affairs should investigate the circumstances surrounding the issue of the National Hajj Commission.

Senator Jibrin Barau said many connive with people in Saudi Arabia in charge of accommodation. He noted that we are talking of exploitation not appropriation.

Senator Mustapha Sani cited a personal explanation and said that a bridge at Gidan Mai in his constituency has been destroyed by flood.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Senate  will take necessary action and directed the chairman Senate Committee on National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to look into it.

Senator Dino Melaye spoke about the infraction and abuse of the Act (Political office holder amendment Act).

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Senate will look into it and take necessary action.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on Establisment and Public Service Matters. National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) Act Amendment Bill, 2017 (SB. 359) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
-That the Senate received the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service matters on National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) Act Amendment Bill, 2017 (SB. 359).

Senator Ali Wakilli seconded that the Senate received the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service matters on National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) Act Amendment Bill, 2017 (SB. 359).

2. Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters. Institute of Chartered Biochemist and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2017 (SB. 283)by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
-That the Senate received the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters on the Institute of Chartered Biochemist and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2017 (SB. 283).

Senator Abubakar Yusuf seconded that the Senate received the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters on the Institute of Chartered Biochemist and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2017 (SB. 283).

3. Report of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. National Research and innovation (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 239) by Senator Robert Boroffice.
-That the Senate received the report of the joint committee on Science and Technology and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the National Research and innovation (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 239).

Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate received the report of the joint committee on Science and Technology and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the National Research and innovation (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 239).

The Reports were LAID.

MOTIONS

1. The continued Voters Registration Exercise; Matters Arising by Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Senator Adeola Solomon said that @inecnigeria is not prepared, we shouldn't wait until 4 months to the election before running around.

Senator Theodore Orji said the Motion captures the ongoing issue.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked the Minority leader and said the issue will be looked into.

Senate resolved to:

1. Urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undertake the Continued Voters Registration (CVR) exercise on a continuing and permanent basis in the respective polling unit until all prospective registrants are registered,

2. Urge Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decentralize the registration exercise on ward basis and to further decentralize when the ward are large and,

3. Mandate the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise and report progress and challenges periodically to the Senate.

2. Trans-Sahara-Europe Migration Crisis by Senator Francis Alimikhena.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the Motion speaks about the harsh condition of Africa not just Nigeria.

Senate resolved to:

1. Set up Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to investigate the causes and proffer solutions to the problems of irregular migration across the Sahara/Mediterranean Sea to Europe and

2. Urge the Federal Government to strengthen the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) and the Nigerian Immigration Services to take effective measures towards preventing the trafficking in persons and illegal migration.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Motion is timely, we have a moral duty so we must intervene and profer solution to the crises.

3. Urgent need for completion of Bodo/Bonny Road; linking the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Complex by Senator George Sekibo.

Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu and Senator James Manager spoke about the Urgent need for the completion of Bodo/Bonny Road; linking the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas complex.

Senate resolved to:

1. Invite the Minister of Power, Works and Housing to brief the Senate Committee on Works on the circumstances surrounding the Federal Government's inability to partner with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas management to complete the Bodo/Bonny Road project or any other issue that had stood against the completion of the Bodo/Bonny Road within two weeks,

2. Direct the Committee on Works to carry out an independent comprehensive evaluation of the Bodo/Bonny Road project and brief the Senate within four weeks.

Senate President Bukola said the Motion is an important one, we must see to the completion. The chairman should take this up,not just Bonny but Nigerian as a whole.

4. Urgent need for the Senate to look into the Re-occurring Shortfall in allocation for Personnel Cost in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by Senator Tijjani Kaura.

"No institution that Government can fully take care of, there are means of getting revenue by this institutions".-Senator Jibrin Barau.

"We need to know if Integrated Payroll and Peronnel Information System is extended to our Tertiary institutions, if not there are things the Agencies tend to gain".-Senator John Enoh.

Senate resolved to:

1. Urge the Ministries of Budget, Finance and Education to take steps to correct these anomalies in the subsequent Appropriation Bills.

Senator Magnus Abe added that the Tertiary Institution Committee should investigate and report back in 6weeks.

Consideration Of Reports

1. Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Screening of 3 Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees,
 1. Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, Imo State,
 2. Joseph Olusola Iji, Ondo State,
3. Comodore Yusuf Jonga Hinna (Rtd), Gombe State
by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio seconded thats the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on Screening of Non-Career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

Committee Of The Whole

Senate dissolved into the committee of the whole to consider the screening of Non-career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senate reverted back to Plenary and reported Progress.

Senate confirmed the 3 Nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senate President Bukola Saraki congratulated the Non-career Ambassadors and wished them a healthy, successful, yield-full tenure.

Consideration Of Bills For Second Reading

1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, CAP C4 LFN, 2007 to ensure Transparency and Accountability in the operations of the Bank and it's intervention advances to the approval of the National Assembly, 2017 (SB. 64) by Senator Rose Oko.

Senate President Bukola Saraki put the question and the Bill was read the 2nd time and referred to Committee on Banking,Insurance and other financial institutions and to report back in 4weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Directorate of Employment Act CAP N28 LFN 2004 and to Establish the National Youth Employment and Development Agency to provide for Promotion, Coordination and the Employment of Youths throughout Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 144) by Senator Bassey Akpan.

"If we don't do something about the unemployment of the youth, it would be a time bomb as time is already ticking".-Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

The Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Directorate of Employment Act CAP N28 LFN 2004 and to Establish the National Youth Employment and Development Agency to provide for Promotion, Coordination and the Employment of Youths throughout Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 144) was read the 2nd time.

The Bill was referred to the Committee of Labour, Employment and Productivity and to report back in 4 weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Reporting, Managing and Enforving of Unclained Funds Regulatory Authority and the Unclaimed Funds Regulatory Trust Fund and other purposes connected, 2017 (SB. 195) by Senator Robert Boroffice.

Senator Adamu Aliero seconded the Bill for an Act to provide for the Reporting, Managing and Enforcing of Unclaimed Funds Regulatory Authority and the Unclaimed Funds Regulatory Trust Fund and other purposes connected, 2017 (SB. 195)

The Bill for an Act to provide for the Reporting, Managing and Enforcing of Unclained Funds Regulatory Authority and the Unclaimed Funds Regulatory Trust Fund and other purposes connected, 2017 (SB. 195) was read the 2nd time and was referred Committee on Capital Market and to report back in 4weeks.

4. A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Development Commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South East, 2017 (SB. 303) by Senator Stella Oduah and Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu supported the Bill.

A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Development Commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South East, 2017 (SB. 303) was read the 2nd time and refereed to Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters to report back in 4 weeks.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said in development and unity of a nation, the development goes beyond a Bill, we have the responsibility to bring down tension, bring unity. More work needs to be done, there are people we are leading and we have to play our role. We have only one country.

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan moved that other items on the Order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, June 8th, 2017.

#GavelBangs