Today In Plenary: Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Thursday, 27th July, 2017

Welcome to a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senate President Bukola Saraki takes the official prayer and led the chamber into today's proceedings.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate moved into an Executive Session at 10:55am.

Senate resumed from its Executive session at 11.06am

At the Executive Session, the Senate deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate and the National Assembly in general.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday 26th July, 2017. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomed staff and students who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Clifford Ordia cited order 42 & 52 and sought a Motion regarding the death of Former Senator John O. from Edo State.

Senate resolves to:
I) Observe a minute silence and
II) Send high power delegation to condole with the family and people of Edo State.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS - FIRST READING

1. Report of the Committee on Trade and Investment
 Counterfeit Goods Bill, 2017 (SB. 117) by Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki
 -That the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Trade and Investment on the Counterfeit Goods 2017 (SB. 117)

Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded that the Senate received the report on the Committee on Trade and Investment on Counterfeit Goods Bill, 2017 (SB. 117).

2. Report of the Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy Hydro-Electricity Power Areas Development Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 89) by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe
That the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy on the Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 89)

Sen. Kabiru Marafa seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy on the Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 89)

MOTIONS
1. The need for Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to discharge it's constitutional functions under paragraph 32 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution by Senator Adamu Aliero.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide seconded the motion and said our state and local government must stand up to the revenue generation and usage.

Senate accordingly resolves to:
I) Urge the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission to discharge its constitutional duties and function

II) Direct the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to Review, the Praent Revenue Allocation formula, to reflect the present and changing economic realities of our country; and

III) Urge the Federal Government to table the Proposed Revenue collection formula before the National Assembly for deliberation and passage into law.

2. Re: Bakassi Indigenes in Diaspora in the Cameroons by Sen. Rose Oko

Senator Godswill Akpabio seconded the motion and said the issue of Bakassi has become a turning point in this Nation.

Senator Godswill Akpabio said Bakassi Peninsula has become a den for criminals and it is important that we see to it, the Federal Government should call on all authorities to honour all agreements.

Senate accordingly resolves to;
I) Condemn in strong terms the actions of the Cameroonian gendarmes gendarmes against  Nigerians in the Bakassi Peninsula

II) Call on the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on the protection of her Indigenes in the Diaspora especially those that live within the ambit of the law;

III) Call on the Cameroonian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respect the provisions of the Green Tree Agreement;

IV) Investigate the recent harassment of Bakassi Indigenes in the Cameroons that led to the death of some of them and their mass return;

V) Call on National Emergency Management Agency to immediately send relief to the returnees to reach them directly; and

VI) Refer the matter to the Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to report back within 2 weeks.

Senator Gershom Bassey added a prayer that the Ministry of foreign affairs should forward the treaty (military agreement) for ratification by the parliament.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for Framework relating to Petroleum Producing Host Community's participation, 2017 (SB. 404) by Sen. Kabir Marafa.

Senate President Bukola said when the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill we made a promise that the Host Community Bill will follow".

Senator James Manager seconded the motion and said the Bill will create great harmony between all stake holders, excessive investment and proper transformation of oil sector.

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Petroleum upstream, downstream and Gas to report back in 4 weeks.

2.A Bill for an Act to Establish a Fiscal Framework that encourages investments in the Petroleum Industry whilst increasing accruable revenues to the Federal Government of Nigeria and for other connected matters, 2017 (SB.472) by Senator Tayo Alasoadura

Senator Gershom Bassey seconded the Bill and said countries like Mexico and Columbia have achieved significant increase in their Petroleum Industry with a similar Bill.

Senate President @Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Petroleum upstream, downstream and Gas to report back in 4 weeks.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked all Distinguished Senators on their comments and said at the Committee level kindly ensure that we involve all stakeholders. The principle must be a Win-Win for Government and stakeholders". He said we cannot be in isolation, it's a Bill that will bring investments into the Country".

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Petroleum upstream, downstream and Gas to report back in 4 weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to provide for the administrative framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other connected matters, 2017 (SB. 540) by Senator Bassey Akpan.

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Petroleum upstream, downstream and Gas to report back in 4 weeks

4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act 2000,  and for other connected matters therewith, 2017 (SB. 544) by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

Senator Gbenga Asafa seconded the Bill and stated that in list of States mentioned Lagos was missing and would like it to be included in the amendment.

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Niger Delta to report back in 4 weeks.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT
1. Conference Committee Report by Sen. Obinna Ogba
-That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to amend the National Lottery Act 2005 to make Consequential Provisions for effective operation of Lottery in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2017.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to amend the National Lottery Act 2005 to make Consequential Provisions for effective operation of Lottery in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2017.

Senator Dino Melaye said that this Bill has been Vetoed by the House of Representatives because the Executive refused to sign the bill on the ground that there is a court case regarding the issue. He urged the Senate to Veto this so as to be on the same page with the House of Representatives.

The National Lottery Act 2005 to make Consequential Provisions for effective operation of Lottery in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2017 is read the third time and passed.

2. Report of the Committee on Anti Corruption and Financial Crimes
Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB. 535) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Anti- Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, etc)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the report on the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB. 535)

Senate Leader moved that Senate suspends order 13 to enable the Senate sit beyond 2 o'clock. Minority Leader seconded.

Senate reverted back to plenary and reported progress.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB. 535) is read the third time and passed.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said he hopes the International Community will see us as serious for passing this Bill and this will also enhance our fight against corruption. He also hopes that the EGMONT Group of Financial Intelligence Unit will lift the suspension of Nigeria, He said I think we have taken the right step.

3. Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Planned Concession of the Port-Harcourt Refinery to AGIP/ENI and OANDO by Senator Abubakar Kyari
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Planned Concession

Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola seconded that the Senate considers the report on the Planned Concession of the Port-Harcourt Refinery to AGIP/ENI and OANDO.

4. Report of the Senate Committee on Education, Primary and Secondary
Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act  (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 307 and 374) by Senator Aliyu Wamakko
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Education, Primary and Secondary on the Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 307 & 374).

Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate considers the report on the Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act  (Amendment) Bill, 2017. (SB. 307 & 374)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the report on the Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act  (Amendment) Bill, 2017. (SB. 307 & 374)

Senate reverted back to plenary and reported progress.

The Compulsory Universal Basic Education Act  (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 307 and 374) is read the third time and passed.

5. Report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions by Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim Motion on the Unscrupulous Violation of Foreign Exchange (Monitoring & Miscellaneous) Act by MTN Nigeria and others

Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded that the Senate receives the report in respect of a Motion on the Unscrupulous Violation of Foreign Exchange  (Monitoring & Miscellaneous) Act by MTN Nigeria and others

Senate resolved that the report be withdrawn for further consultation and brought back on another Legislative day.

6. The 2016-2018 External Borrowing(Rolling) Plan&the Pipeline Projects for 2016-2018 Medium Term External Borrowing Plan by Senator Shehu Sani

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the passage of the loan of the railways is good, I hope contractors keep to the completion date. He also hopes that the Exim China Bank would play their due role".

7. Conference Committee report Procurement Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 232) by Senator Joshua Dariye.
-That the Senate do consider the Conference Committee report on the Procurement Act 2007(Amendment) Bill, 2016 (SB. 232)

8. Report on the Confirmation of the Appointment of Abdullahi Oteh as Chairman FCT Internal Revenue Service Board by Senator Dino Melaye

Senator Bassey Akpan seconded that the Senate receives and considers the report on the Confirmation of the Appointment of Abdullahi Oteh as Chairman Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service Board.

Senate reverted back to plenary and reported progress.

Mr. Abdullahi Oteh is confirmed as Chairman FCT Internal Revenue Service Board.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Obinna Ogba cited order 42 & sought the indulgence of the Senate to consider the Ebonyi Road from the $80m  African Development Bank Loan

Senate Leader moved that the Senate suspend order 42 and 52 to allow Senator Obinna Ogba lay his explanation.

Senate President Bukola Saraki put the question and Senate approved the Ebonyi Road from the $80m African Development Bank Loan.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan moved that Plenary be adjourned to 4:30pm for the approval of Votes and Proceedings(II). Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to 4:30pm.

#GavelBangs

Senate resumed Plenary at 4:54pm.

Senator Binta Garba Masi moved for the approval of votes and proceedings (I). Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.

Senate President named Senate delegation to Edo state to commiserate with the family of the late former Senator John. O.

Delegation includes Senator Stella Oduah, Senator Duro Faseyi, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Sani Mustapha, Senator Philip Gyunka, led by Sen.James Manager.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that Plenary be adjourned to the next Legislative Day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, September 19th, 2017.

#GavelBangs