Today In Plenary: Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Tuesday 25th July, 2017.

It's a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu took the official prayer and led the chamber into today's proceedings.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate moved into an Executive Session.

Senate resumed from its Executive Session and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu Reported Progress that at the executive session Senate deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate and the National Assembly in general.

Senator John Enoh moved for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday 20th July, 2017. Senator Ademola Adeleke seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu read two (2) Letters from Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

1. Letter requesting for virement fund from various Federal Government agencies to fund some critical projects.

2. Senate Approval of FCT 2017 statutory proposal in line with section 1,2 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

PETITIONS

Senator Obinna Ogba raised a petition for wrongful dismissal of constituent member from the Nigerian Army.

Senators Andy Uba, Jide Omoworare, Dino Melaye and Chukwuka Utazi laid petitions regarding their constituent members.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu referred all petitions to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu welcomed staff and students who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu appealed to all Senators to ensure early arrival for tomorrow's Plenary so as to vote on the #ConstitutionReview.

POINT OF ORDER

Senator Rose Oko cited order 42 and spoke about the displacement of Indigenes of Cross Rivers State from Bakassi Peninsula by the Government of Cameroon.

Senate Leader cited order 43 and said there was a meeting between the Senate and House Committees on Police affairs with the IG of Police on the incessant kidnaping of Persons on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and said the National Assembly should pass the Police Trust fund bill to ensure appropriate funding of the Nigerian Police.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS -FIRST READING

1. Federal University of Technology Manchok (Est., Etc.) Bill 2017 (SB. 536) by Senator Danjuma La’ah.

2. Nigerian Customs Service Pension Board (Est., Etc.) Bill 2017 (SB. 538) by Senator Ali Wakili.

3. Petroleum Industry Administration Bill 2017 (SB. 540) by Senator Kabiru Marafa.

4. Nigeria Ports Authority Act CAP N126 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 541) by Senator Atai Aidoko.

5. Matrimonial Causes Act (Amendment) Bill 2017 (HB. 110) by Senator Ahmed Lawan.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Senate Committee on Education and UBEC. Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 307 and 374) by Senator Aliyu M. Wamakko.

2. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
A. Petition from ASP Anthony Igwe Mgbeojirikwe against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for Unlawful Suspension from duty by the Force.
B. Petition from Sergeant Biyo Ladong against the Nigeria Police Force  (NPF) for Unlawful Verbal Suspension from duty by the Force.
C. Petition from PC Celestine Williams against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for Unlawful Suspension from duty by the Force.
D. Petition from PC Ovuomariani Akpometeaho against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for Unlawful Suspension from duty by the Force.

E. Petition from Comrade Princewill Okorie on behalf of the Association for Public Policy Analysis against the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri over the crisis between the Hospital Management led by Dr. Angela Uwakwem and the Hospital Staff Union which crippled service delivery at the Centre.

3. Report of the Committee on Special Duties on the Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379) by Senator Abdul Aziz M. Nyako.

4. Report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan by Senator Shehu Sani.

5. Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Planned Concession of the Port-Harcourt Refinery to AGIP/ENI  and OANDO by Senator Abubakar Kyari.

The Reports were LAID.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS - SECOND READING

1. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency as the central body in Nigeria responsible for receiving, requesting, analysing and disseminating financial intelligence reports and other information to law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies and other relevant authorities, 2017 (SB. 535) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

Senator Na' Allah seconded and urged his colleagues to do the needful and support the Bill. He says its a straight forward Bill. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Anti Corruption and Financial crimes to report back tomorrow.

2. A Bill for an Act to facilitate the development of Nigeria's Capital Market by enabling the conversion and re-registration of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from a company limited by guarantee to a public company limited by shares, 2017 (SB. 531) by Senator Foster Ogola.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa seconded and said moving the company from private to public is good so people can invest in the Nigerian stock exchange. Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Capital Market to report back in 4 weeks.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters by Senator David Umaru.

Senator George Sekibo seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the issues surrounding the adoption of the Conference Committee report on Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) (Est., Etc.) Bill 2017 (SB. 173 and 183).

2. Conference Committee Report. Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) Bill, 2017 (SB. 173 and 183) by Senator Bayero U. Nafada.

Senator James Manager seconded that the Senate do consider the Conference Committee Report on the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) (Establishment, etc.) Bill 2017 (SB. 173 and 183).

The Report on the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) (Est., Etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB. 173 and 183) was approved and the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill passed.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said this has been one long journey and stated that we finally got to the Promise land. Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked all his colleagues.

3. Report of the Committee on #ConstitutionReview by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on #ConstitutionReview on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended (Alteration) Bill.

Senator Atai Aidoko seconded that Senate do consider the report of the Committee on #ConstitutionReview on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended (Alteration) Bill.

Senate Leader Senator Ahmed Lawan congratulated the chairman and his colleagues for a job well done.

Senator Olusola Adeyeye said he appreciates the work that has been put in by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on the #ConstitutionReview.

Senator Adamu Aliero said that his constituent is happy and that he is in support of local government autonomy. Senator Dino Melaye said the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) should conduct local government elections, also said he is happy that former Governors in the Senate are in support of Local Government autonomy. Senate President Bukola Saraki said he is in support of this motion but it needs to go through both houses so as to ensure due process.

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi commended the Committee for a job well done and reiterated support for 35% percent quota of women as Public office holders.

Senator Foster Ogola said the Senate should consider proper administrative restructuring to include federalism to ensure everybody can control his resources, he also stated that the way we considered the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), we should resolve to include economic restructuring in the process.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked those who contributed to the debate particularly the chairman, thanked him for keeping the promise. He stated that this Bill will review the budget process, strengthen democracy at the state level, Provide savings for the nation and will encourage younger people to take up offices. Senate President Bukola Saraki said the issue of election will need further consultation from the House of Representatives. He further said Senators should ensure they come to Plenary early for the E-voting of the #ConstitutionReview.

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan moved that Plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 26th July, 2017.

#GavelBangs

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