Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Thursday, 12th October, 2017

Welcome to 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 Chambers into today’s proceedings at 10.59am.


Senator Biodun Olujimi moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 10th of October 2017. Senator Abu Ibrahim seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read a letter from President Mohammadu Buhari for the confirmation of appointment of Mrs. Aisha Ahmad as Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read another letter from President Mohammadu Buhari for the confirmation of appointment of members of monetary policy committee of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Approval of External Loan
-That the senate do consider the Request of Mr President, Commander in Chief for the approval of External Loans for:
i. Issuance of USD 2.5 billion to Finance the 2017 Appropriation Act; and
ii. USD 3 billion to re-finance domestic debts


Senator Emmanuel Bwacha seconded that the Senate do consider the request of the President for the approval of external loans.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the request to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to report back in 4 weeks.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu welcomed people who were present to observe Plenary.

PETITIONS
1. Senator Atai Aidoko raises two petitions;
a. For unlawful termination of a Department of Petroleum Resources staff and,
b. An officer of the Nigerian Police Force.

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

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Emmanuel Paulker cited order 53(c) and spoke about the decision of the conference committee report on National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) establishment and public service committee.

Senate resolved to: Constitute a Conference Committee comprising of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives who would alternate as Chairman and six members of the senate and House of Representatives and four members from each geo-political zone.

MOTIONS
Senator Monsurat Sumonu raised a motion on the international day of the girl child and said ‘the senate should ensure that the implementation of the girl child Act in some states where it is yet to be implemented’.

Senator Rose Oko went on to say that “We should ensure the girl child is protected and educated’.


The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said ‘I congratulate the girls on their day, this Senate supports policies and programs that favour and support the girl child’. He also said
‘We can not only prepare girls for marriage but note that they are future leaders and should be trained as such’.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development by Senator Barnabas Gemade.
-That the Senate do receive the report of Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the 2017 Budget of Federal Mortgage Bank.

Senator Bukar Abba Seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the 2017 Budget of Federal Mortgage Bank.

The Report of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development was LAID.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
-That the senate do consider the report of the senate committee on information and communication technology (ICT) on the 2017 Budget of Corporations and Agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

i. Committee: Information and National Orientation.
Government Owned Enterprises: National Broadcasting Commission, and
Nigerian Television Authority.

Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi said ‘We have a responsibility to look up the expenditure profile as compared to their revenue profile’.

The Reports of the National Broadcasting Commission and National Television Authority was approved.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said ‘it’s good the chairman admits the need for improvement and is willing to scrutinize these agencies’.

2. Report of the Committee on Special Duties.
Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379) by Senator Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako.
-That the senate do consider the Report of the Committee on Special Duties on the Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379).

Senator Biodun Olijimi seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379).

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate now dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379).

Senate reverted back to Plenary and reported progress.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said ‘We hope the President will be inaugurated in the presence of National Assembly members as this is also in accordance with other democracies’.

The Presidential Inauguration Bill, 2017 (SB. 379) was read the 3rd time and passed.


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

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 17th October, 2017.

#GavelBangs.

Signed:
Digital Communications Department,
Office of The President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria.