Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Wednesday, 23rd January, 2019

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 10:51am.‬

‪Senator Barnabas Gemade moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, January 2019. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.‬

ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate president, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced members of the Committee on the Institute of Chartered Biochemists and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria as Senators Suleiman Nazif, Gbenga Ashafa, Ademola Adeleke, Nelson Effiong, George Akume and Senator Emmanuel Paulker as Chairman of the Committee.

PETITION
Senator Andrew Uchendu raised a petition on behalf of certain professors from the Federal University, Otuoke, who were unlawfully demoted by the new Vice Chancellor of the University.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report in two weeks.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Olusola Adeyeye cited Order 43 and informed the Senate on a matter of urgent public importance and made a sad observation, said more often than not, aircrafts within the country run on substandard maintenance.

“I was on an Arik aircraft on three different occasions and the air conditioning did not work. Aircrafts take off without being properly serviced or serviced on time and this is unfair to Nigerian citizens.”- Senator Olusola Adeyeye.

‪“Thank you Senator Olusola. Anything that has to do with the lives of our people should be looked into. I ask that the Chairman of the Committee on Aviation take this matter up and report back to us within a week. Let us find out what the issues are.”- S‬enate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

PRESENTATION OF A BILL- First Reading
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, 2019 (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 720) by Senator Ahmadu Abubakar.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, 2019 (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 720) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

That the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of:
a. Petition from Suswan Ogbole & Co. on behalf of Mr. Alfa David Ibrahim against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for illegal termination of his appointment by the agency.

b. Petition from Chief John Chukwu against the Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd for alleged breach of contract between JECI International Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited.

c. Petition from Berkeley Jones and Associates on behalf of Parsley Consults Limited and Emagu Nigeria Limited against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) for Non-payment if accumulated rentals and expired leases, and discriminatory payments for land re-acquisition and rentals in the Niger-Delta.

d. Petition from John O. Agu of J.M. Jai & Co. against Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) for preventing Matreach Logistics Limited from providing Stevedoring Services at Bonga On/Offshore Terminal and Chevron Jetty, Warri; and

e. Petition from Tanzila Petroleum Company Limited against Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for non-payment of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Imported.

Senator Abu Kyari seconded that the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above.

The Report was LAID.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Confirmation of nominations as Career Ambassadors-Designate by Senate Leader.
-That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the confirmation of nominations of the following persons for appointment as Career Ambassadors-Designate in accordance with Section 171 (1) (c) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
1. Mr. Christopher C. Chejina- Delta State.
2. Mr. Bukar Kolo- Yobe State.
3. Mr. M.A. Mabdul- Benue State.

Minority Leader seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-n-C on the confirmation of nominations of the above persons for appointment as Career Ambassadors-Designate in accordance with Section 171 (1) (c) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Executive Communication to the Committe on Foreign Affairs to report in two weeks.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Conference Committee Report on the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill, 2019 (SB. 242) by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

‪Senator Clifford Ordia seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee Report on the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill, 2019 (SB. 242).‬

Senator Gbenga Ashafa laid and presented the report.

The Report was approved.

“Thank you Senator Gbenga Ashafa and all members of your Committee.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

2. Conference Committee Report on promissory note programme and a bond issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations by Senator Francis Alimikhena.

‪Senator Philip Gyunka seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee Report on promissory note programme and a bond issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations.‬

Senator Francis Alimikhena laid and presented the report.

The Report was approved.

3. Conference Committee Report on the National Inland Waterways Authority Act CAP N47 2004 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 240) by Senator Clifford Ordia.

‪Senator Lanre Tejuoso seconded that the Senate do consider the Conference Committee Report on the National Inland Waterways Authority Act CAP N47 2004 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 240).‬

Senator Clifford Ordia laid and presented the report.

The Report was approved.

4. Conference Committee Report on the Agency for National Ethics and Values (Est. etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 519) by Senator Suleiman Adokwe.

‪Senator Barau Jibrin seconded that the Senate do consider the Conference Committee Report on the Agency for National Ethics and Values (Est. etc) Bill, 2019 (HB. 519).‬

Senator Suleiman Adokwe presented the report.

The Report was approved.

5. Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the confirmation of the nomination of Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur for appointment as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

‪Senator Baba Kaka Bashir seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the confirmation of the nomination of Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur for appointment as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.‬

Senator Chukwuka Utazi laid and presented the report.

“Let me compliment the Committee for creating an avenue for the screening of the candidate, they were very thorough. Since the nominee was able to answer all the questions put before him, I request that approval be given.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.

“I would like to advise the nominee that he must remain neutral and professional. He must remember that his tenure will end and he will account to everyone, including himself. What he will do while in this position is what counts. He must remain neutral and independent.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
‪Senate now dissolves into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the confirmation of Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur for appointment as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.‬

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

‪Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur was confirmed as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.‬

“Let me on behalf of my distinguished colleagues congratulate Modibbo R. Hamman on his appointment as the first Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit; the first of its kind in this country.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“In the Senate, we moved for the independence of the NFIU which will help in the fight against corruption. I thank you all who participated in the creation of this unit.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“As has been said by some of our colleagues like the DSP, This is a very important unit. We must ensure the neutrality, professionalism and independence of this unit because whatever it does reflects on the country in the fight against corruption.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We hope that he does his work properly and makes us proud of what he will do.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 24th January, 2019.
#GavelBangs

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