Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Thursday, 1st March, 2018

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 10:55am.


Senator Andy Uba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 28th February, 2018. Senator Chukwuka Utazi seconded.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announces that at 4.30pm today, the Conference of Speakers of State Parliaments will transmit resolutions on Constitutional Amendments.

POINT OF ORDER:
Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited order 43 and said the Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit Bill has been passed in the Senate and is still awaiting concurrence of the Bill, stressed that the next meeting of the EGMONT Group is holding on 11th March 2018, and if the Bill is not passed in the House, Nigeria will face expulsion.

“This matter has been taken up at the Joint Leadership level of the National Assembly, hence, I am surprised that the concurrence has not taken place.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I will be seeing the Speaker later today to remind him of the position that we took so that we can direct the Chairmen of the relevant committees to take action, so that we can transmit this to Mr. President before the deadline — which is the next meeting of the EGMONT Group.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“It is in the interest of this country that we do not get suspended. This is noted, and we will take action on it.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
Patent and Design Act CAP P2 LFN 2004 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 630) by Senator Andy Uba.

Patent and Design Act CAP P2 LFN 2004 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 630) was read the First Time.


Counseling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 634) by Senator Isah Misau.

Counseling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 634) was read the First Time.

Criminal Code Act CAP C38 LFN 2004 (amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 633) by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

Criminal Code Act CAP C38 LFN 2004 (amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 633) was read the First Time.

Judiciary Officers (administration of pension) Bill, 2018 (SB. 632) by Senator Utazi Chukwuka.

Judiciary Officers (administration of pension) Bill, 2018 (SB. 632) was read the First Time.

National Planning Commission (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 637) by Senator Rose Oko.

National Planning Commission (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 637) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
Report of the joint committee on Education (basic and secondary) and Health in respect of a motion on the poor living conditions in Queens College, Lagos and the deaths of three students by Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the joint committee on Education (basic and secondary) and Health in respect of a motion on the poor living conditions in Queens College, Lagos and the deaths of three students.

The Report was LAID.

Report the committee on Education (basic and secondary) in respect of a motion on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and remittances of National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to the Consolidated Revenue Fund by Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Senator Jeremiah Useni seconded that the Senate do receive the report the committee on Education (basic and secondary) in respect of a motion on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and remittances of National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The Report was LAID.

CONSIDERATION OF A BILL- Second Reading
A Bill for an Act to repeal the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 1988 and establish the medical and dental council of Nigeria for the registration of medical practitioners and dental surgeons and to provide for a disciplinary tribunal for the discipline of members and related matters thereto, 2018 (SB. 497) by Senator Adamu Aliero.

A Bill for an Act to repeal the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 1988 and establish the medical and dental council of Nigeria for the registration of medical practitioners and dental surgeons and to provide for a disciplinary tribunal for the discipline of members and related matters thereto, 2018 (SB. 497) was read the Second Time.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Health to report back in 4 weeks.

BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE:
Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022) by Senate Leader.

Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022) was read the Second Time.

Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 519) by Senate Leader.


Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 519) was read the Second Time.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 519) to the committee on Information to report back in 4 weeks.

Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139) by Senate Leader.

Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139) was read the Second Time.

National Biotechnology Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) by Senate Leader.

National Biotechnology Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) was read the Second Time.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the following Bills for concurrence:
Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022);

Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139); and

National Biotechnology Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

National Biotechnology Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT
Report of the committee on Public Accounts on the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 ( HB. 107) by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the committee on Public Accounts on the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 ( HB. 107).

“I commend the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the Chairman of the Committee.”- Senator Abdullahi Yahaya.

“I quote that this Bill will cover wide range of other agencies in the country, it will enable agencies like CBN and NNPC to submit their book to the office of the Auditor-General.”- Senator Adeola Solomon.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 ( HB. 107).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 ( HB. 107) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“Today is a landmark achievement in the fight against corruption. This is will bring accountability and probity in the finances of the government and the fight against corruption.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I must commend all the members of the National Assembly, both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This will go a long way in ensuring the independence of the office of the Auditor-General and will ensure that the Auditor-General has access to different parastatal agencies.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We truly have to block all the various leakages. We have to ensure that we get this to Mr. President to get his assent. We have gone a long way in this administration in our fight against corruption, and it is commendable that the National Assembly are the sponsors and movers of this very important Bill, which we can see has been outdated for many years.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We will continue to play our part in this fight against corruption for the sake our country.”- 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, 6th March, 2018.

#GavelBangs.

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