Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Tuesday, 10th July, 2018

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings ‪at 10:51am‬.

‪Senator Nafada Bayero moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 5th July, 2018. Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi seconded.‬


POINT OF ORDER
Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited Order 42 and informed the Senate on the Akanu Ibiam International Airport runway, Enugu State that has been declared the worst in the country.

Senator Mohammed Hassan cited Order 42 and informed the Senate that this country has suffered a great loss on the death of Elder Stateman in the person of Mallam Adamu Ciroma.

Senate resolved that the point of Orders come as a motion on another Legislative day.

PRESENTATION OF A BILL- First Reading
Auctioneers Registration Council (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 693) by Senator Umaru Kurfi.

Auctioneers Registration Council (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 693) was read the First Time.


EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Confirmation of Nomination by Senate Leader.
-That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the confirmation of the nomination of Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi for appointment as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(1)(2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (Establishment) Act 2007.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Executive Communication to the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions for further legislative action and to report back in 2 weeks.

BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
Chartered Institute of Training and Development (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401) by Senate Leader.

‪Chartered Institute of Training and Development (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401) was read the Second Time.‬

Extradition Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1187) by Senate Leader.

Extradition Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1187) was read the Second Time.

Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 726 & 727) by Senate Leader.

Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 726 & 727) was read the Second Time.

Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 542) by Senate Leader.

Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 542) was read the Second Time.

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 951, 992, 1043) by Senate Leader.

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 951, 992, 1043) was read the Second Time.

National Institute of Credit Administration (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425) by Senate Leader.

National Institute of Credit Administration (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425) was read the Second Time.

National Broadcasting Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 168) by Senate Leader.

National Broadcasting Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 168) was read the Second Time.

Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Jos Bill, 2018 (HB. 770) by Senate Leader.

Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Jos Bill, 2018 (HB. 770) was read the Second Time.

Nigerian Film Commission Bill, 2018 (HB. 584) by Senate Leader.

Nigerian Film Commission Bill, 2018 (HB. 584) was read the Second Time.

Maritime Security Operations Coordinating Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1056) by Senate Leader.

Maritime Security Operations Coordinating Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1056) was read the Second Time.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 1131 & 1178) by Senate Leader.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 1131 & 1178) was read the Second Time.

Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 529) by Senate Leader.

Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 529) 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 above Bills for concurrence.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

‪Chartered Institute of Training and Development (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.‬

Extradition Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1187) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 726 & 727) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 542) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 951, 992, 1043) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

National Institute of Credit Administration (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

National Broadcasting Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 168) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Jos Bill, 2018 (HB. 770) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Nigerian Film Commission Bill, 2018 (HB. 584) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Maritime Security Operations Coordinating Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1056) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 1131 & 1178) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.


Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 529) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“My distinguished colleagues, I’ll like to thank all of us for our commitment to the service of this country especially when it comes to our function as public heads. I believe that we respond to the dynamism of society because the society is dynamic, we try as much as possible to update our laws to meet with this dynamism to be able to serve our people better.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“That is exactly what we have done today and I want to thank you for living up to this expectation and our responsibilities. I have to add that we will continue to work with the House of Representatives in matters such as this to ensure easy passage of bills that will serve the best interest of our people.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“We expect the House of Representatives will on their own respond and also reciprocate the gesture of the Senate to ensure that there will be easy and early passage of bills, especially those that touch the lives of Nigerians so that they can see that we are indeed committed to serving our country.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“Once more I want to thank those who contributed to the preparation and the processing of these bills which have now been passed this afternoon. Congratulations and thank you for your cooperation.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

CONSIDERATION OF A BILL- Second Reading
A Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act CAP P18 LFN 2004 and enact the police reform and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 682) by Senator Bala Na’allah.


“The police force can not withstand the security issues in the country which forces the military to come into action and it is not their fundamental duty. Even if we create State police, we still need to restructure the Federal police because it will still stand to oversee the State police.”- Senator James Manager.

“The police force has gone berserk especially on the issue of human rights, we’ve had cases where innocent Nigerians have been killed by the police, they need to be held accountable for their actions.”- Senator Joshua Lidani.

“The head of the police force has consistently been found wanting, the IGP has constantly not appeared when summoned for security issues, even after the killing that took place January 1st in Benue. There is no doubt the Nigerian police needs reform and restructuring.”- Senator Barnabas Gemade.

“The police officers today cannot even act on information, they cannot properly interrogate suspects, some cannot write and they are the same people that handle rifle to protect lives and properties.”- Senator Francis Alimikhena.

“Here in the Senate, we have committed to finding a solution to the Policing problem that we have in Nigeria.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“Presently, we have decided to address the issue of State and Community Police, and I am happy to announce that we have done sufficient work through the Committee on Constitutional Amendments where we will look at the final draft of the Bill later.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“While we are doing that, it is also absolutely necessary to provide this ‘First Aid’ to this troubled situation. Therefore, I believe that this would help to keep things going until we are able to find a  permanent and world class solution that will provide the security that is predictable and efficient for the people of our country.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“I want to thank you for this intervention, and I hope that it provides the necessary First Aid until we are able to provide the solution through a Constitutional Amendment that will ensure that every life and property is protected.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“Until we do that, we cannot say that we have performed our duty to our people — because as government our primary responsibility will be the protection of lives and properties and the provision of welfare for our people.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“As I said, while the Constitutional Amendment for State and Community Policing will be going on, this will help to provide some succor in terms of making the institution of the police more efficient.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

A Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act CAP P18 LFN 2004 and enact the police reform and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 682) was read the Second Time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Police Affairs to report back in 4 weeks.

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 Wednesday, 11th July, 2018

#GavelBangs

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