Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Thursday, 24th January, 2019

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 11:05am.‬

‪Senator Shehu Sani moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 23rd January 2019. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.‬

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read a letter from Mr. President on the approval of new National Minimum Wage, amendment of the National Minimum Wage Bill, 2019.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read a letter from Mr. President on his Decision to decline assent to the Prohibition of Double Taxation Relief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Korea Domestication Agreement.

PETITION
Senator Andrew Uchendu raised a petition on behalf of Professor Frank against the University of Port-harcourt for the unlawful termination of his employment.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report within two weeks.

POINT OF ORDER
‪Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan cited Order 79 and requested that the Order be suspended, said that the Minimum Wage Bill should be taken for first and second reading today and referred to the relevant Committee due to the importance of this Bill.‬

Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi seconded the Order cited by Senate Leader.

National Minimum Wage Bill, 2019 was read the First Time.

“Let me congratulate the Federal Government, the 36 states of Nigeria and stakeholders on this Bill for the increase of the minimum wage from N18,000 to N27,000. Our Civil Servants will be excited about this. It may not be all they hoped, but it is still an improved situation. Nigeria cannot develop without the help of our Civil Servants.”- Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“It is important that we lend our voice to see to the realization of this Bill. Even though this may not be enough, productivity is sure to increase.”-Senator Shehu Sani.

“We will work hard, but it is important that this does not become another election gimmick. Let the people who should get paid, actually get paid.”-Senator Biodun Olujimi.

“Improving on the current minimum wage is important. There is no way we can develop without the contribution of our workers. They have to be encouraged to give their best.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.

“I support this important Bill.”- Senator Emmanuel Paulker.

“I appreciate this. These people have fought hard for years for an increase.”- Senator Sam Anyanwu.

“This increase, to me, is just a little scratch. I think the Federal Government should be able to pay N30,000 as opposed to N27,000. Let us accelerate the passage of this Bill, it should not be delayed any further.”- Senator Barnabas Gemade.

“We all need to ask ourselves how we can improve the productive capacity of the country. Let all salaries be adjusted.”- Senator Andrew Uchendu.

“Let me congratulate the NLC and all those who have brought this to this point. I would also like to thank my Distinguished Colleagues for the speedy consideration of this Bill. This will be the first time the 8th Senate is reading an Executive Communication and suspending our rules to take a First and Second Reading and assigning the Bill to a Committee, al in one day.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“This shows how committed we are. We will constitute an Ad-hoc Committee which will interface with the relevant stakeholders and provide a comprehensive report. I believe what we have been saying so far will suffice in guiding the Committee. Just to clarify, the new minimum wage brought to us is set at N27,000.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“There were news reports of N27,000 for states and N5000 for the Federal Government, but this is a single national minimum wage of N27,000. Another issue of concern is whether this affects organizations and establishments employing less than 25 persons.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“If this does not affect these people, it means a whole number of people are left outside the minimum wage and that is not right. In most countries, the minimum wage applies to all workers, regardless of the number of people in an establishment.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“I believe that at the public hearing, we will be able to clarify and sort it all out. We must try our best to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. We must make sacrifices to ensure that every Nigerian has the opportunity to afford basic needs. I thank my colleagues once more for their brilliant contributions.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

National Minimum Wage Bill, 2019 was read the Second Time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Ad-hoc Committee to be Chaired by Senator Olusola Adeyeye and Senators Abu Ibrahim (Committee on Labour), Shehu Sani (representing North West), Sam Egwu (representing South West), Suleiman Adokwe (representing North Central), Francis Alimikhena (representing South South) and Binta Masi Garba (representing North East) as members of the Committee to report within two weeks.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND by Senator Barau Jibrin.
-That the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the following Bills:

a. Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogbaru, Anambra State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 670);

b. Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 686);

c. Federal University of Education, Kontagora, Niger State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 689);and

d. School of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk, Adamawa State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 706).

‪Senator Shehu Sani seconded that the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the above Bills.‬

The Report was LAID.

CONSIDERATION OF A BILL- Second Reading

1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the enhancement and regulation of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, to protect persons with mental health needs and the establishment of National Commission for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the effective management of mental health in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2019 (SB. 720) by Senator Ahmadu Abubakar.

‪Senator Ahmadu Abubakar presented the Lead Debate on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Bill.‬

“The Bill and its message is very important, it mentions a lot. We have victims of mental health running round the streets. This Bill will address this fault.”-Senator Shehu Sani.

A Bill for an Act to provide for the enhancement and regulation of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, to protect persons with mental health needs and the establishment of National Commission for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the effective management of mental health in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2019 (SB. 720) was read the Second Time.

“I believe every person in Nigeria, whether mentally ill or not, should be provided welfare. I hope that the Federal Government will be concerned enough to support those unfortunate to be mentally ill. I thank Senator Adamu Abubakar for this Bill.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

‪Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Secondary and Tertiary Health to report in two weeks.‬

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Conference Committee Report on the Institute of Chartered Biochemists and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2019 (SB. 283) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.

‪Senator Sonni Ogbuoji seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee Report on the Institute of Chartered Biochemists and Molecular Biologists of Nigeria Bill, 2019 (SB. 283).‬

Senator Emmanuel Paulker laid and presented the report.

The Report was approved.

2. Report of the Committee on Defence on the Defence Research and Development Bureau (establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 623) by Senator Abubakar Kyari.

‪Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on Defence on the Defence Research and Development Bureau (establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 623).‬

Senator Abubakar Kyari laid and presented the report.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate now dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Defence Research and Development Bureau (establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 623).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Defence Research and Development Bureau (establishment, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 623) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“I would like to thank and congratulate Senator Abubakar Kyari, the committee members and my Distinguished Colleagues on the passage of this Bill. This Bill should encourage our Armed Forces to be more coordinated and play a more prominent role. Once again I thank you all.”-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

3. Report of the Committee on Communications on the 2018 Budget Proposal for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by Senator Gilbert Nnaji.

‪Senator Sonni Ogbuoji seconded that the Senate do consider the Report of the Committee on Communications on the 2018 Budget Proposal for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).‬

Senator Gilbert Nnaji presented the report.

The Report was approved.

4. Report of the Committee on Communications on the 2018 Budget Proposal for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) by Senator Gilbert Nnaji.

‪Senator Sonni Ogbuoji seconded that the Senate do consider the Report of the Committee on Communications on the 2018 Budget Proposal for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).‬

Senator Gilbert Nnaji presented the report.

The Report was approved.

5. Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Bill, 2019 (SB. 512) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.

‪Senator Foster Ogola seconded that the Senate do consider the Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Bill, 2019 (SB. 512).‬

Senator Emmanuel Paulker presented the report.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate now dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Bill, 2019 (SB. 512).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Bill, 2019 (SB. 512) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“Distinguished Colleagues Let me thank you for your continuous dedication to ensuring justice for all and providing jobs for our teeming population. This is a good development.” - Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

6. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

-That the Senate do consider the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of:

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

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. Petition from Bekele 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.

e. 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.

f. Petition from Engr. Rasheedat Al-Bashir against Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for her unlawful dismissal from the service of the company.

g. Petition from Alhaji Kabiru Suleiman against the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) for alleged forced retirement from the Commission.

h. Petition from Eze O. Chukwuma against the Military Pensions Board and Fidelity Bank PLC for non-payment of his gratuity and Perpetuation of fraud in his bank account.

i. Petition from Ndu A. Nnanna against the National Population Commission (NPC) for denying him appointment to the post of Director, Administration and Human Resource Management or Secretary to the Commission.

j. Petition from O. J. Omoke against the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for alleged wrongful dismissal from the Academy.

Senate resolved that:
a. Tanzila Petroleum Company Limited should be paid a specified amount as subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit and the Committee on Petroleum Downstream should ensure compliance as to the payment.

b. Urge Chevron and Shell to comply with the directives of the port authority to review all payment.

c. Mr. Alfa David Ibrahim should be reinstated and paid all his entitlements.

d. i. SPDC should pay specified amounts as rent fees.

ii. SPDC should cancel all payments imposed on land owners.

iii. SPDC should make payments to specified pipelines.

iv. SPDC should respect the Power of Attorney from land owners to agents to negotiate on their behalf.

e. JECI International Limited should take the matter to the arbitration panel since the contract was initially binding by both parties.

f. Engr. Rashidat should stop all threats that clash with the AEDC rules and regulations.

g. Alhaji Kabiru Suleiman retire honorably and benefits be fully paid.

h. i. Senate unable to grant Eze O. Chukwuma his request as payment had already been to his account.

ii. Since there is proof that that his account with Fidelity bank was unlawfully used to perpetrate fraud, no action can be taken.

i. Denial of Mr. Ndu A. NnaNna’s appointment is sustained and should be paid his entitlement.

j. The decision of NDA is sustained because the withdrawal of O. J. Omoke followed due process.

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 Tuesday, 19th February, 2019.
#GavelBangs

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