Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, March 10th, 2022

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presided.

After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Deputy Speaker approved the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

1. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase reminded the relevant Chairmen of the concerned House Committees and other relevant stakeholders of the interactive meeting with the leadership of the House holding today, Thursday, March 10th by 3:00 PM following the motion on the skyrocketing increase in the price of aviation fuel moved by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.

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Administration of Oath of National Allegiance, as well as Membership of the House of Representatives on Members, elect:

1. Rep. Mayuwa Alade (Akure North/South, Ondo State. APC) and

2. Rep. Musa Agah Avia (Jos North, Bassa, Plateau State. PDP)

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MATTER OF PRIVILEGE

1. Rep. Femi Adebanjo rose on a matter of privilege on the need to relax the rules of wearing face masks during plenary since the Covid-19 pandemic has been contained. He complained that the compulsory masking is uncomfortable and affects respiration.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase while noting the point of order, stated that the National Center for Disease Control will be in the best place to relax the Covid-19 protocols and communicate the same to all Nigerians.

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PETITIONS

1. Rep. Mukhtar Ahmed laid 5 petitions on behalf of different complainants on diverse issues of varying degrees of human rights violations and deprivations.

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MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

1. Rep. Benjamin Mzondu moved a motion on the need to stop the renewed and increased terrorist attacks by armed herdsmen in communities of Benue State and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Nalaraba.

Rep. Mzondu in leading the debate expressed gross concern on the resumption and increased spate of attacks in diverse communities in Benue state. He further expressed worry that if the renewed onslaught of violence is not duly contained, it could lead to the breakdown of law and order. This he stated is since complicity by the security forces has been alleged because the attacks take place for prolonged periods without any intervention by the security agencies. Considering that the security of lives and properties of Nigerians is the principal responsibility of the government, Rep. Mzondu called on the armed forces to clamp down on the activities of the bandits in the Northwestern and North-Central regions of the country. He further called on the National Emergency Management Agency to extend relief to the victims, and that the relevant committees of the House should ensure compliance.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

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PRESENTATION OF REPORT

Ad-hoc Committee on the Need to Intervene in the Diplomatic Row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates:

Rep. Yusuf Buba Yakub:

“That the House do receive the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Need to Intervene in the Diplomatic Row between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (HR. 118/11/2021). (Referred: 16/11/2021).

The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Yusuf Yakub and seconded by Rep. Beni Lar.

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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Act, Cap. C9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Provide for Establishment of Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments; and for Related Matters (HB. 1858) (Rep. Babangida Ibrahim) – Second Reading.

Debate

Rep. Babangida Ibrahim moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Boniface Emerengwa.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions.

2. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of National Public Safety Board; and for Related Matters (HB.1767) (Rep. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi) – Second Reading.

Debate

Rep. Gaza Gbwefi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Lawan Shettima Alli.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Safety Standards.

3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the National Center for Research and Production of Snake Vaccines, Kaltungo; and for Related Matters (HB. 1836) (Rep. Karu Simon Elisha) – Second Reading.

Debate

Rep. Karu Elisha moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Musa Mohammed.

Rep. Nicholas Ossai stated that there is already an existing law backing the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research to carry out such functions. He called for the suspension of the Bill until it is verified if the Bill contravenes the functions of the Institute.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Wase wondered why the observation wasn’t brought up before now as it had been on notice before now. He called for the Bill to be allowed until it is verified that the Bill which is specific on snakebites in Kaltungo contravenes any such laws.

Rep. Nkem Abonta while understanding the spirit of the Bill, wondered if the approval of such a Bill will not increase the overburdened cost of governance if everyone is let to ask for such establishments in every area where there are any form of venomous attacks of reptiles. He applauded the spirit but questioned its procedural application.

The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa pleaded with Honorable members to allow for the approval of the Bill, and that all concerns can be addressed at the Committee level.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.

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MOTIONS

4. Urgent Need to Re-construct Jama’are-Azare Roundabout Along Kano-Bauchi-Maiduguri Expressway:

Rep. Bashir Uba Mashema:

The House:

Notes that security and welfare of citizens is the primary purpose of government;

Also notes that the Jama’are roundabout in Bauchi State links Yobe and Borno States making it a very busy and essential route for the transportation of goods and services within and outside Bauchi State;

Further notes that in 2006, the Federal Government awarded a contract for dualization of 600km road to ease the movement of people and goods;

Concerned that lack of a well-constructed roundabout at Jama’are, which links to Azare, has resulted in incessant accidents around the spot;

Also concerned that the topography of the area around Jama’are roundabout is so low that motorists are unable to see the river ahead until it becomes too late to avert disaster;

Cognizant of the need to find a lasting solution to save lives of commuters plying the Kano-Bauchi-Maiduguri road, particularly around Jama’are;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to reconstruct the Roundabout at Jama’ Are-Azare along Kano-Bauchi-Maiduguri Expressway to avert further accidents and needless loss of lives in the area;

(ii) mandate the Committee on Works to ensure compliance.

Debate

Rep. Bashir Mashema moved the motion on the urgent need to reconstruct Jama’are-Azare roundabout along Kano-Bauchi-Maiduguri expressway and it was seconded by Rep. Shehu Ahmed.

Rep. Ganiyu Johnson proposed an amendment to introduce the construction of the roundabout as an addendum to the main existing contract for its execution to be expedited.

The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.

5. Call to Encourage the Importation and Use of Low Energy Consuming Appliances:

Rep. Rotimi Agunsoye:

The House:

Notes that energy-efficient appliances help prevent greenhouse emissions and protect the environment as most households use appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, sound systems, computers, ovens, bulbs, air conditioners, and washing machines;

Also notes that countries across the world are using energy-efficient appliances, which is critical to economic development as well as environmental sustainability;

Concerned that households in Nigeria still use incandescent bulbs with high voltage, which are very expensive and generate too much heat;

Aware that in some households the incandescent bulbs have been replaced with light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs, which are up to ninety percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs;

Observes that the crisis in the country’s power sector will persist if a decisive approach is not employed at controlling domestic, commercial and industrial usage through adopting more efficient means to reduce energy consumption;

Cognizant that using energy-efficient appliances and equipment minimizes the exploitation of natural resources such as natural gas, coal, water, diesel, petrol, etc., and serves to enhance the conservation of these resources as a way of achieving sustainable development;

Disturbed that as other countries have stopped the use of high consuming appliances and equipment, Nigeria has become a dumping ground for such items which come at a considerably cheap price;

Cognizant that the continued importation of non-energy efficient products will impact negatively on the economic stability of the country;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Power and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to immediately establish a sustainable policy aimed at phasing out non-energy efficient appliances or equipment for domestic, commercial and industrial usage;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Power and Industry to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

6. Need to Review the Visa Policy for Entry into Nigeria:

Rep. Bashiru Ayinla Dawodu:

The House:

Notes that the current Visa Policy mandates visitors to Nigeria to acquire a visa before entry unless they are from any of the visa exemption countries or diplomats from some select countries;

Also notes that the current visa policy does not promote investment or tourism as the process of getting a Visa from Nigeria is cumbersome;

Aware that Nigerians in the Diaspora remit about $25 per annum, yet go through a lot of challenges to get visas to come home despite their contributions to the country’s economy;

Also aware that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recently endorsed the Diaspora Investment Trust Fund to spur more foreign inflows from Nigerian Diasporas, and for it to be effective, the visa policy needs to be reviewed to encourage investors;

Cognizant that countries like Ghana, Bahamas, Namibia, Kenya and South Africa have their visa policies reflecting their economic interests, not emotions;

Desirous of the need to streamline visa categories to accommodate the following:

(i) Visa-free/exemption – No fee- ECOWAS, Chad, Cameroon;

(ii) Visa waivers/permits- G7, EU, Schengen, G20;

(iii) Visa on Arrival- Africans, UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Malaysia;

(iv) Visa online – visa for business travelers;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs to review the visa policy;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Interior and Foreign Affairs to ensure compliance.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase chaired:

7. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board Act, Cap. P 34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Establish Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba, Kwara State, Provide Legal Framework for Establishment of the Psychiatric Hospital to facilitate the Training of Specialist Personnel at all levels; and for Related Matters (HB. 1593) (Senate) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 6/10/2021.

Synopsis of the report:

Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa stated that the Bill emanated from the Senate and it seeks to establish the health institution that will be beneficial in training Nigerians interested in the sector. He also craved in the spirit of the comradeship of the bi-cameral parliament to let the Bill be approved.

Summary of voting:

Clauses voted on and approved: 1-11

8. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Education, Mutum Biyu, Taraba State; and for Related Matters (HB.1136) – Committee of the Whole: 9/3/2022

Synopsis of the report:

Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa stated that the College of Education will benefit the educational needs of people in the region which is a very vital historical location in Nigeria. He called for the approval of the clauses therein.

Summary of voting:

Clauses voted on and approved: 1-25

Rep. Babangida Ibrahim called on the leadership of the House to put pressure on the Senate to ensure House Bills in the Senate also receive expedited attention and action.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Rep. Ahmed Wase assured Honorable Members that the House will continue to ensure House Bills in the Senate chamber are not neglected for both chambers to continue to work in harmony and synergy, and for the good of all Nigerians.

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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 the Deputy Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason.

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Adjournment:

The House at 13:03 adjourned plenary till Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason.

Courtesy:

Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.