Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Wednesday, 6th June, 2018

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu and Senator David Mark pictured at the plenary session today.

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 11:08am.

Senator Shaaba Lafiagi moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 5th June, 2018. Senator Gershom Bassey seconded.


‪EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION ‬
‪Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on the consideration and passage of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (Amendment) Bill, 2018.‬

ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced Senators: David Umaru, Jide Omoworare, Abu Kyari, Jeremiah Useni, Binta Masi Garba, Stella oduah and Senator Ben Murray Bruce as members of the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the report by Amnesty International on the in-humane treatment of women and children in the IDP camps.

PETITIONS
Senator Chukwuka Utazi raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member who has been working for the National Population Commission for several years and has been denied promotion

Senator Jeremiah Useni raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member on non payment after completion of gas plant for NNPC.

Senator Bassey Akpan also raised a petition in behalf of a constituency member.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petitions raised to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Barnabas Gemade cited Orders 42 &52, spoke on the security of our country. “It is a matter that needs medicine because the sickness is not over.”

“7 people were killed, many wounded and several homes burnt in my Senatorial District.The Minister of Defense made a statement that the killings in Benue State and Taraba State is because of the enactment of anti-grazing law. This statement should be withdrawn by the Minister.”- Senator Barnabas Gemade.


“Yesterday 5 people in my constituency were killed on their way to the farm. This is in humane and terrible for the Minister of Defense to consider these killings as a result of the enactment of the anti-grazing law.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha

Senate resolved to:
I. Observe a minute silence for the people who were killed; and

II. Advice the Ministry of Defense to withdraw its statement on anti-grazing law as the law was enacted under the law of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Senator Shehu Sani cited Order 42, spoke on a report that has been circulating by Amnesty International on the in-humane treatment of women and children in the IDP camps, this is as a result of concurrent terrorist attacks and killings across the nation. “This is really painting a bad image for the country.”

Senate resolved to:
I. Investigate the report with the view of getting to the root and veracity of the report; and

II. Constitute an Ad-hoc Committee that will comprise of relevant Committees.

PRESENTATION OF A REPORT
Report of the Committee on Special Duties on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Bill, 2018 (SB. 335) by Senator Abdul Aziz Nyako.


Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Bill, 2018 (SB. 335).

The Report was LAID.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
Request from Mr. President on the confirmation of Hon. Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court by Senate Leader.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the request to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back as soon as possible.

Report of the Committee on INEC by Senator Suleiman Nazif on the screening of the following nominees for Confirmation for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

1. Elder Monday Udo Tom - Akwa Ibom (New appointment).
2. Attahiru Garba Madami - Niger (Replacement).
3. Barr. Festus Okoye - South-East Geo political zone (New appointment).
4. Ahmed Bello Mahmud -Zamfara State (New Appointment).

Senator Rose Oko seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on INEC on the screening of the above nominees for confirmation for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Senator Suleiman Nazif laid and presented the report of the Committee on INEC.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the report of the Committee on INEC on the screening of the above nominees for confirmation for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

‪The appointment of Elder Monday Udo Tom (Akwa Ibom State) as Resident Electoral Commissioner was confirmed.‬

The appointment Attahiru Garba Madami (Niger State) as Resident Electoral Commissioner was confirmed.

The appointment  Barr. Festus Okoye (South-East Geo political zone) as Resident Electoral Commissioner was confirmed.

The appointment Ahmed Bello Mahmud (Zamfara State) as Resident Electoral Commissioner was confirmed.

Conference Committee report on National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 242) by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee report on National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 242).


Senator Gbenga Ashafa laid and presented the Conference Committee report on National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 242).

The Report was approved by the Senate.

Conference Committee report on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2018 (SB. 237) by Senator Tayo Alasoadura.

Senator Ben Mrray Bruce seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee report on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2018 (SB. 237).

Senator Tayo Alasoadura laid and presented the Conference Committee report on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2018 (SB. 237).

The Report was approved by the Senate.

Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Local Content in respect of a motion on the investigation of local content elements and cost variations relating to Egina Oil Field and other related projects by Senator Adeola Solomon.

Senator Sam Egwu seconded that the Senate do receive the Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Local Content in respect of a motion on the investigation of local content elements and cost variations relating to Egina Oil Field and other related projects.

Senator Adeola Solomon presented the Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Local Content.

“Distinguished colleagues, these jobs are very technical and they need professionals that truly understand it. It’s a pity, you would have thought that NNPC should have that kind of report ready. The chairman briefed me that they really could not go anywhere else to find the detailed technical report and financial report.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“There is no option for us — we have to find the resources to be able to fund and get the right kind of internationally recognised and competent consultants that know this business that would be able to give us the right kind of recommendations.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I would prefer that before we pass any comment, we should approve the appointment of reputable consultants that can do a competent, independent, technical and financial review. We will find the resources to pay for this consultant, whatever it is going to cost so that we can get the right kind of recommendation and also findings that will definitely help us — not only as regards to Egina but for future kinds of projects like this.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“A lot of times people say “Total made an investment when many were not ready to invest.” We appreciate that but, I think that does not also provide an excuse to say that because that investment was done it should not have been done properly.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“This is not a witch hunt, but I think that as a country, a serious country we must see that things are done right. There are companies that specialise in these kind of things. I have seen reports from other countries as well where companies like this have gone and brought projects like this to the attention of their governments. They have made huge savings for their countries.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We should start this investigation immediately. I am sure this is an exercise that will not take us long. The most important thing is to ensure that we have a reputable and competent report that is adjudged by world best practices in this sector that nobody can dispute whatever conclusion they come up with. This will be key.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

MOTIONS
The need to provide urgent relief materials to the victims of rainstorm/ windstorm and fire outbreak in Argungu Local Government Area, Kebbi State by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

“I second the motion and urge my colleagues to support the motion.”- Senator Umaru Kurfi.

“It is our tradition to always come to the aid of one another when such arises. I support the motion and urge my colleagues to do same.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.

Senate resolved to:
Call on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene by providing relief materials, including food, clothing and building materials to the victims of these disasters in order to assist them in rebuilding their lives, houses, shops and businesses.

World Environmental Day 2018 by Senator Rose Oko.

“I congratulate Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Rose Oko and all other Senators that co-sponsored this motion.”- Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“Poverty is a major impact on degradation of our environment, we should have action plans to reduce oil spillage in the South. For us here in this chamber we need to extend our hands to the executive so show that we have something to work on with them to bring the degradation to an end.”- Senator Ahmad Lawan


“I want to congratulate Senator Tinubu and my Distinguished colleagues on this motion, environmental degradation devouring all parts of the country, oil spillage, acid rain and crises all around the country are contributing factors. We need an action plan in place to curb this degradation.”- Senator Godswill Akpabio

“Federal Government should include environmental studies in their curriculum to imbibe the culture of waste disposal.”- Senator Foster Ogola.

Senate resolved to:
I. Urge all States of the federation to participate in creation and review of policies; and shedding light on our environmental issues;

II. Urge the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to ensure sensitization, particularly of young ones, on these environmental issues;

III. Enact and enforce legislation on adequate waste disposal and recycling system;

IV. Urge the introduction of eco-friendly reusable bags;

V. Urge an increase in tax payable on single use plastic bags and bottles to discourage use; and

VI. Urge the Federal Government to increase funding for the environment and environmental issues.

“Let me join all others to wish us a pleasant World Environmental Day which was yesterday but we are still celebrating it.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I think this celebration is a reminder to all of us that we have a lot to do in addressing the environmental challenges of our country  —which unfortunately affects every part of the country, from erosion to oil spillages, to desert encroachment e.t.c and also things like plastic pollution which require a national policy to guide us right direction.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I am sure we are prepared here at the 8th Senate to work closely with all stakeholders and the executive for us to see how we can make some progress in the coming years ahead. This is an issue we must address and we must address it now.”- 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 Thursday, 7th June, 2018

#GavelBangs

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