The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presiding.
After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker examined and approved the votes and proceedings for Thursday, July 15th, 2021
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ADMITTANCE INTO THE CHAMBER
Admittance into the Chamber:
Rep. Garba Alhassan Ado:
“That the House, pursuant to Order 21, Rule 8 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to brief the House on Electronic Transmission of Votes”.
QUESTIONING OF NIGERIA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NCC)
Rep. Akeem Adeyemi who is the chairman, House Committee on Communications asked the NCC representatives if there has been any time they captured the data of the majority of Nigerians, and if the NCC has the capacity to undertake electronic transmission of elections nationwide without the possibility of hacking?
Rep. Idem Unyime sought to find out if is it possible to create a platform for offline transmission of election results where there is no internet service as banks do till the network resumes, so all the data can drop later where a network is available?
Rep. Kingsley Chinda asked if NICOMSAT is still functioning and under the Ministry of Communication, and if Nigeria still has an active satellite and if yes if the satellite is of any use in the electronic transmission of collated results? He also sought to know if the kind of communication network employed by rural dwellers to transact their businesses could be used for the electronic transmission of results. In addition, the lawmaker asked how long will it take the agency to fix any network problems associated with the electronic transmission of results?
Rep. Chawai asked if the network coverage of the country could be broken down to State or regional basis?
Rep. Ndudi Elumelu asked if the NCC Act of 2003 which established the Universal Service Provision Fund (USFP) to facilitate access to universal data services and information to rural and underserved areas is still operational as this service was especially meant to provide data to such rural and underserved areas.
NCC:
The data to capture Nigerians by state and regions are available whether on 2G or 3G depending on availability in the different states of regions. There was an analysis of network coverage done before the earlier elections and it was found that out of
According to a 2018 analysis, Nigeria has 119,000 polling units, and of the number, only about 109,000 could be covered. About half of the polling units (50 percent) were covered with 2G and 3G coverage while about 49% had only 2G while 1 percent had no coverage at all.
WIth more polling units created by INEC since then, coverage might be more than 50 percent or less
Speaker: For transmission of votes, can the exercise be done by 2G? Can the combination of both 2G and 3G be possible nationwide?
NCC: Only 3G can adequately transmit such data.
On hacking. no system is 100 percent hackproof, citing a previous election in the United States of America (US) reported to be allegedly hacked. That is a major reason for continuous investment to safeguard and protect sensitive data.
The NCC cannot comment on NigComSat and the availability or functionality of the Nigerian satellite.
The offline storage and transmission service is not as effective as direct transmission.
On problem fixing, the time it takes to solve network problems depends on the nature and severity of the problem. It can take between a few hours or a few days.
In response to Rep. Elumelu’s earlier question, the NCC answered in the affirmative, that the USPF is operational to reach underserved areas.
The Speaker thanked his colleagues for their dedication to duty while noting that the members were better equipped to vote on the controversial clause with the explanations offered by the NCC.
He also cautioned that electronic voting should not be confused with electronic transmission of election results as voting electronically doesn’t happen anywhere.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY) Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila chairing:
1. Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management:
Rep. Ahmed Dayyabu Safana
“That the House do consider the Interim Report of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the Proposed 2018-2020 external borrowing (Rolling) plan and approve the Recommendations therein” – Committee of Supply Laid: 15/7/2021).
(i)approve the under listed ongoing negotiation of external borrowing of $8,325,526,537 (Eight Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Five Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Seven United States Dollars) and €490,000,000 (Four Hundred and Ninety Million Euro) under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan;
Funding Agency
USD ($)
Euro(€)
A.
World Bank (WB)
796,000,000
B.
China EXIM Bank
2,901,026,509
C.
Industrial Commercial Bank of China
2,484,555,304
D.
Africa Development Bank (AFDB)
104,200,000
E.
Africa Growing together Fund (AGTF)
20,000,000
F.
French Development Agency (AFD)
240,000,000
G.
European Investment Bank
250,000,000
H.
European ECA/KFW/IPEX/AFC
1,959,744,724
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
I.
Development (IFAD)
60,000,000
Grand Total
$8,325,526,537
€490,000,000
(as more Particularly Described in the Attached Schedule of Approved Projects)
SCHEDULE OF APPROVED PROJECTS
2018-2020 EXTERNAL BORROWING ROLLING PLAN
A.WORLD BANK-SUPPORTED PROJECTS APPROVED
Second Africa Higher Education Centre’s of Excellence for Development Impact Project (Second ACE Impact)
$75,000,000
Sustainable Procurement, Environment and Social Standards Enhancement project (SPESSE)
$80,000,000
Nigeria Digital Identity for Development Project
$115,000,000
Multi-Sectoral Crises Recovery Project for the North East – Additional funding
$176,000,000
Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project
$200,000,000
Edo Basic Education Sector and Skills Transformation Operation (EDO BEST)
$70,000,000
Ogun State Economic Transformation Project
$250,000,000
B.CHINA EXIM BANK-SUPPORTED PROJECTS APPROVED
Construction of Lafia Bypass Road and the Dualization of 9th Mile (Enugu) –Otukpo-Makurdi Road Project (Keffi PhaseII)
$845,753,419
Construction of Akwanga Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Carriageway Project
$1,333,000,000
Four (4) Airport Terminal Expansion Projects (Phase II)
$208,905,162
Ancillary Works on Four (4) Airport Expansion Projects
$183,621,057
Supply of Rolling Stock and Depot Equipment’s for Abuja Light Rail Project
$157,001,050
e-Border Solution
$172,745,821
C.Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Supported Projects Approved
Port Harcourt to Maiduguri with Branches to Yola and Damaturu Railway Lines (1,408km)
$2,484,555,304
D.Africa Development Bank
Nigeria Urban Water Reform and Akure Water Sanitation Project
$104,200,000
E.Africa Growing Together Fund
Nigeria Urban Water Reform and Akure Water Sanitation Project
$20,000,000
F.French Development Agency
Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project
€200,000,000
Second Africa Higher Education Centre’s of Excellence for Development Impact Project (Second ACE Impact)
€40,000,000
G.European Investment Bank
Nigeria Digital Identity for Development Project
€250,000,000
H.European ECA/KWF/IPEX/AFC
Kano-Maradi SGR with Branch to Dutse
$1,959,744,724
I.International Fund for Agricultural Development
Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Project
$60,000,000
(ii) That the terms and conditions of the loan from the funding agencies, be forwarded to the National Assembly prior to the execution of same for concurrence and proper documentation.
Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted and adopted: 1 & 2
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HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of Supply following a motion by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by Rep. Mukhtar Betara
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase Chairing:
2. Committee on Electoral Matters
Rep. Aisha Dukku:
“That the House do Resume consideration of the Report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 and Enact the Electoral Act, 2021 to Regulate the Conduct of Elections in the Federal, State and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory; and for Related Matters (HB. 981) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid:14/7/2021 Adjourned consideration).
Resumption of the consideration of the Electoral Act matters report:
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted and carried: 55-86, 88-112, 114, 115, 117-158
Clauses amended and carried: 87, 113, 116, Long Title
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HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the whole following a motion by the leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by Rep. Herman Hembe.
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PRESENTATION OF REPORT
3. Report of the Conference Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill:
Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno:
‘That the House do receive the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Provide Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Fiscal Framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the Development of Host Communities and for Related Matters”
The report was then laid following a motion moved by Rep. Mohammed Monguno and seconded by the leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase chairing:
4. Report of the Conference Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill:
Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno:
‘That the House do consider the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Provide Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Fiscal Framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the Development of Host Communities and; for Related Matters and approve the recommendations therein”
Debate
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila clarified that the Chairman of the Committee on PIB, Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno was mandated to go back and confer with the Senate on a need for harmonization. Unfortunately, the Senate had voted on the report and laid their report. As a result, the House was left with no option other than to lay its own as provided by the House Rules, to prevent the unfortunate fate the PIB had suffered over the years. He however pointed out that any area of contention will be amended later. This is so that the business of the day can go on.
Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha pleaded for unity among members across political parties and geographical divide. She pleaded with the House to still liaise with the Senate and maintain its stand on the House version of the report. She was however ruled out of order by the Chairman.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 9, 29, 21, 47 97 140, 310, 315, 317
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HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the reports of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by the leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason
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Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the suspension of the rules of the House to allow for the third reading of the 2 Bills and it was seconded by Rep. Yusuf Buba
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Nasiru Maigari.
The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
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Rep. Abubakar Fulata again moved for the suspension of the relevant rules of the House so it can adopt the votes and proceedings for the day and it was seconded by Rep. James Faleke
The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa then moved for the adoption of the votes and proceedings of the day and it was seconded the Deputy Leader of the House, by Rep. Peter Akpatason
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Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila then thanked members for availing themselves to come and sit for plenary on a Friday which is most unusual but done for the sake of patriotism and the good of Nigeria. The clarification on clause 52 of the Electoral Act as put forward by representatives from the NCC means it is in the hands of INEC to conduct how the elections are transmitted, and as long as nobody is disenfranchised, then democracy has won as every vote must count. He also noted that the issue of hacking and the outcome of the elections should be treated with levity.
According to him, the House of Representatives is the House of the Nigerian people and that is why the laying of the PIB report work has to be concluded on it.
The wished members a restful recess and constructive deliberation with their constituents.
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Adjournment:
The House at 13:01 adjourned plenary till Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Umar Abdulkadir, Rep. Wole Oke and Rep. Shehu (Niger state).
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
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