Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, July 13th, 2021

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 8th, 2021
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ANNOUNCEMENT

1. The Deputy Speaker of the Malawian parliament came on a parliamentary visit to observe the parliamentary proceedings of the House, and to relay to the Malawian people how Nigeria dealt with the coronavirus pandemic.

2. The scheduled meeting with Mr. President will hold this evening, Tuesday, July 13th. Buses will be available at the entrance of the new wing of the House of Representatives by 7:00 pm.

3. The report of the Amendment Bill of the Electoral Act will be laid on Wednesday, 14th July 2021 and will be considered on Thursday, 15th

MATTER OF URGENT NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

Rep. Satomi moved a motion of public importance on the falling value naira and its effects on the economy.

Rep. Ajibola Muraina seconded

Debate

Rep. Satomi said there’s a need for an urgent intervention to save the Naira that seems to be going into obscurity despite interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to shore its value against other currencies.

Rep. Idem Unyimen seconded the motion.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu while proposing an amendment to the motion noted that the situation does not require a Legislative summit over the issue as neither Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) are coming to Nigeria nor the insecurity challenges facing the country abating.

He said the state of the Naira is a matter of market forces.

He proposed that an investigation into the circumstances behind the unabating falling value of the Naira should be carried out.

The amendment was seconded by Rep. Wale Raji seconded

Motion was voted and adopted as amended.

Rep. Tolulope Akande-Shadipe wants the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be urged to discontinue the culture of parading suspects and subjecting them to media interviews while the investigation is still ongoing.

Rep. Shetima Alli seconded the motion.

Debate
Rep. AKande-Shadipe noted that since Chidinma Ojukwu was arrested by the Police with an investigation launched, the suspect has been granting media interviews, which is against the law.

She prayed that the Police should rather conduct a proper investigation, while also urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that the tradition of parading suspects and subjecting them to media interviews is discouraged in the Force.

Also in her prayers, she urged the Police to ensure that Ms. Ojukwu does not die in Police custody or commit suicide

Motion was voted and adopted.

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Speaker read a communication from Rep. Emeka Martins seeking to withdraw a Bill to amend the Criminal Code due to the unending negative reactions directed at him due to the misrepresentation of his views on the Bill by a national newspaper.

In his ruling, Speaker Gbajabiamila said it was not in the tradition of the House to be bullied into the withdrawal of Bills as a result of negative reaction from the public because there are parliamentary procedures to go about withdrawal of Bills.

He noted that the withdrawal of the Bill was a consequence of misrepresentation by a newspaper while urging journalists to always verify their facts before publication.

The Bill was withdrawn.

 

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1.​Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1495) (Rep. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu) – First Reading.

2.​National Roots and Tubers Production, Processing and Research Institute, Zing, Taraba State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1513) (Rep. Kasimu Bello Maigari) – First Reading.

3.​Livestock Transportation by Trekking and Vehicles (Prohibition) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1514) (Rep. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi) – First Reading.

4.​Federal Medical Centre, Ikirun, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1515) (Rep. Afolabi Olalekan Rasheed) – First Reading.

5. Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mushin, Lagos State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1516) (Rep. Adeyemi Alli Taofeek) – First Reading.

6. National Ear Care Centre, Ideato, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB.1517) (Rep. Pascal Chigozie Obi) – First Reading.

7. Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ideato, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021​(HB.1518) (Rep. Pascal Chigozie Obi) – First Reading.

8. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2021​(HB.1519) (Rep. Pascal Chigozie Obi) – First Reading.

9. Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1520)​(Rep. Pascal Chigozie Obi) – First Reading.

10. Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1463) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

11. Freedom of Information Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1464) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

12. Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1465) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

13. National Commission for Nomadic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1526) (Rep. Sada Soli) – First Reading.

14. National Broadcasting Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1527) (Rep. Sada Soli) – First Reading.

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PRESENTATION OF REPORT

Committee on Human Rights
Rep. John Dyegh:
“That the House do receive Report of the Committee on Human Rights on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Human Rights Commission Act, Cap. N46, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) and Enact the National Human Rights Commission Bill to strengthen the Commission to conduct Investigations and Sustain Activities in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1072) (Referred: 16/12/2020).

The report was laid after a motion by Rep. John Dyegh and seconded by Rep. Richard.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. Consolidation of Bills:

(a) A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Facilities Management Agency charged with Responsibility to ensure that Federal Real Property Assets are Properly Managed and Maintained; and for Related Matters (HB.611) (Rep. Emeka Martins Chinedu); and

(b) A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Facility Management Agency of Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1252) (Rep. Ibrahim Hamza) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the consolidation of the Bills.

The Bill was voted, approved for consolidation and the House Committee on Rules and Business was asked to schedule a date for the debate on the general principles of the Bill.

2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) to Conduct and Coordinate Robust Research and Development in the Armed Forces of Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1176) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading and it was seconded by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha.

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.

3. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Akoko Edo to make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading and it was seconded by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha.

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.

4. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Tuomo, Delta State charged with Responsibility to Provide Full–Time Courses in Fisheries, Aquacultural Studies; and for Related Matters (HB. 557) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading and it was seconded by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha.

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.

5. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of a Specialized National Dermatology Hospital, Management Board for the Hospital to provide Dermatological Treatment, Research and Training; and for Related Matters (HB.1382) (Senate) (Leader) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Shehu Koko.

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the House Committee of the Whole.

6. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Firearms Act, Cap. F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Increase the Fines, Provide for strict Prison Terms and Licensing Fees; and for Related Matters (HBs.101, 1204, 101) (Rep. Adejoro Adeogun and Rep. Ossai Nicholas Ossai) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Adeogun moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Nicholas Ossai.

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title of the Bill and it was referred to the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence

7. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Increase the Retirement Age of Judicial Officers; and for Related Matters (HB.1239) (Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi) – Second Reading.

Bill stepped down by leave of the House.

8. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Igangan to Provide Training and Teaching Instruction in every aspect of Education and such other fields of Applied Learning Relevant to the Needs of the Development of Education in Nigeria, Matters of Administration and Disciple of Students; and for Related Matters (HB.311) (Rep. Ajibola Muraina) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Muraina moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Leke Abejide.

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title of the Bill and it was referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services.

9. A Bill for an Act to Establish Communal Farms in all 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation to Develop a Sustainable Agro-Allied Business in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB.1110) (Rep. Obeuakpefe Afe) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Afe moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Sergius Ogun.

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title of the Bill and it was referred to the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services.

10. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Imo State to provide Full–Time Courses, Teaching Instructions and Training, in Health, Management Sciences, Applied Sciences; and for Related Matters (HB. 1420) (Rep. Ozurigbo Ugonna) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Ozurigbo moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Halims.

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education.

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MOTIONS

11. Need for the Federal Government to Harness the Large Deposit of Clay in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State:
Rep. Unyime Idem:

The House:

Notes that Section 44 (3) and item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List, Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) vests the control and management of natural resources and hydrocarbon operations on the Federal Government for the common good and benefit of the citizens;

Also notes that the economy of Nigeria has over the years been dependent on oil whose price has been dwindling in the international market, leaving the future of the country’s economy uncertain;

Further notes that the present economic challenges call for diversification of economy taking into consideration the Country’s rich natural resources;

Aware of the large deposit of clay lying waste in Ukpom Edem Inyang, Ekparakwa Clan, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State which is left at the mercy of the inhabitants of the community who uses it indiscriminately;

Also aware that Section 2 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 vests control of all properties and minerals in Nigeria to the Federal Government and prohibits unauthorized exploration or exploitation of minerals and that all lands in which minerals have been found in commercial quantity shall be acquired by the Federal Government in accordance with the Land Use Act;

Further aware that in 2018, clay ranked 69th in the world greatest traded goods, as it made an aggregate trade of $2.29 Billion and Common clay as of 2019 was $17 US dollars per ton;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to immediately visit the quarries, ascertain the level of resources available, develop a plan for harnessing the resources and establish a Clay Processing Factory in Oruk Anam Local Government Area;

(ii) mandate the Committee on Solid Minerals Development to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata briefed the House on the clarification on the motion aimed at verifying if clay is a mineral resource from the Minerals Act and it was clarified that clay is found under the label of “non-metallic mineral resource”, except for China clay which can be categorized as a mineral resource, just not a metallic one.

In his right of reply, Rep. Idem then amended the name of the motion to read the specifics of ‘China clay’ and it was seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Hamza.

As an infrastructure motion, it was voted and adopted.

12. Need to Save Hadejia and Auyo Towns in Jigawa State from Flood Disaster:
Rep. Sada Soli:

The House:

Notes that Hadejia town, the capital of Hadejia Emirate in Jigawa State lies approximately between 1 00.00′ E Longitude and between 120.25′ N and 120 .30′ N latitude and has also a population of over 500,000 people occupying over 50,000 square kilometres;

Also notes that the town is served by Federal trunk roads linking it to Nguru on the East, Kano on the North West, Katagum on the South and Dutse on the South-West;

Aware that Hadejia and Auyo towns have fallen squarely under Hadejia Jama’are River Basin and Komadugu Wetland and are directly on the water tributary channels into Lake Chad;

Also aware of the heavy floods that occurred in the previous years that rendered hundreds of people homeless, financially disabled and mentally stressed;

Cognizance of the high magnitude of Flood disaster reoccurrence in Jigawa State that has claimed lives, properties destroyed, communities rendered inaccessible as roads were cut-off at several locations;

Concerned that in recent weeks, the United Nations Focal Person on Climate Change has drawn the attention of Government at all levels on the dangers and potential tendencies of impending massive flooding during this year’s rainy season;

Also concerned that the volume of flood rains in Hadejia and Auyo towns went to an extent that an oil tank that was buried underground had to be flushed out by underground water;

Worried that due to the predictions on the possible impending flooding in Hadejia and Auyo towns by various relevant ecological experts including the United Nations, there is an urgent need to consider relocating Hadejia and Auyo towns to more suitable and safer locations;

Further worried that in 2020 alone, fifty (50) persons were confirmed dead, several persons were missing, many communities displaced and several hectares of farmlands submerged;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to put in place mitigating mechanism to avert the impending flood threatening Hadejia and Auyo towns;

(ii) Mandate the Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Soli moved the motion on to save Hadejia and Auyo towns in Jigawa state from flood disaster and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Adamu.

As a disaster motion, it was voted and adopted.

13. Need to Investigate the Activities of Anti–Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government in Nigeria:
Rep. Dachung Musa Bagos:

The House:

Notes that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICR) requested for the establishment of Anti-Corruption Transparency Units referred to as ACTUs in all MDAs to help in the fight against corruption;

Recalls that on October 2, 2001, and April 16, 2003, two circulars were issued for establishment and funding of Anti-Corruption Transparency Units in all MDAs across the country;

Also recalls that another circular was issued on October 5, 2016 re- emphasizing both the establishments and funding of the units in all MDAs;

Aware that the Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTUs) in each organization or MDA is expected to operate as an autonomous outfit of which its independence and protection shall be guaranteed;

Also aware that the units are supposed to serve as watchdogs or anti-corruption divisions in such organisations saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies;

Cognizant that the units are expected to report matters within such MDAs that are regarded as corrupt practices to the ICPC for further action;

Worried that despite the circulars and efforts, corrupt practices persist in almost all MDAs, and if not checked, the saying that if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us would continue forever;

Resolves to:

Mandate the Committee on Anti-Corruption to investigate the activities of Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTUs) in all MDAs in Nigeria and report within 6 weeks for further legislative action.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

14. Call to Discourage Arming of Personnel of the Federal Fire Service:
Rep. Thomas Ereyitomi:

The House:

Notes the announcement by the Federal Government to present before the National Assembly a bill to repeal the Fire Service Act and grant firefighters the power to bear arms to protect the firefighters from mob attacks while carrying out their duties and responding to emergencies;

Also notes the announcement has caused anxiety to the public due to reckless use of firearms by those who have been licensed to use same by their position as security agents resulting in death or grave injuries to citizens;

Aware that the Federal Fire Service is a civil outfit, not a security agency and therefore not logical to allow personnel of the outfit to bear firearms, as they do not require such arms to carry out their duties;

Further aware that some mob attacks on firefighters are usually due to frustration on the part of victims when firefighters arrive late and ill-prepared to avert emergencies;

Believes that instead of creating an arms squad of the Federal Fire Service, adequate resources be channelled into improving the service delivery of the Federal Fire Service including the provision of Fire hydrants in every local government area, updating the Global Positioning System (GPS) service of the Federal Fire Service to locate emergency scenes swiftly;

Worried that arming the Federal Fire Service would add to the growing concerns about the reckless use of arms by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies as doing so would be unnecessary and insensitive to the current pensive state of the nation.

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Executive Arm to increase the budgetary allocation of the Federal Fire Service to ensure that adequate infrastructure is put in place for efficient service delivery by the Federal Fire Service;

(ii) also urge the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps to assign officers to the Federal Fire Service to accompany firefighters on emergency duties;

(iii) mandate the Committee on Interior to liaise with the Committee on Appropriations to ensure adequate allocation to Federal Fire Service in the 2022 Budget and ensure proper oversight.

Debate
Rep. Thomas moved the motion to call to discourage the arming of personnel of the Fire Service and it was seconded by Rep. Nicholas Ossai.

The motion was voted and adopted.

15. Need to Ascertain the Position of Nigeria’s Submission to the United Nation’s Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS):
Rep. Legor Idagbo:

The House:

Notes that Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows the Coastal States to make additional claims from 200 Nautical Miles to a Maximum of 350 Nautical Miles beyond the State’s Continental Shelf;

Also notes that on 7 May, 2009 Nigeria submitted a proposal for extension of her continental shelf to the United Nation’s Commission on the Limit of the Continental Shelf (CLCS);

Aware that when a state proves through scientific information backed by data and argument that the sea bed and the subsoil of the marine area of its territorial waters extend beyond 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone, the UN Convention allows such additional claim to a maximum of 350 nautical miles;

Also aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria had constituted an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee coordinated by the National Boundary Commission to work out the modalities for achieving the continental shelf extension;

Appreciates that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had set up a Presidential Committee on 5 November 2015 to ensure that Nigeria’s proposal at the UN received a favourable consideration;

Recognizes that Continental Shelf when extended beyond the 200 Nautical Miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone would extend Nigeria’s sovereignty and would give Nigeria exploration and exploitation rights over the coastal marine resources and will help boost the revenue of Nigeria;

Also recognizes that the Continental Shelf extension will extend Nigeria’s naval activities, national security on the sea, the sea bed and airspace;

Resolves to:

(i) Commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for setting up and mandating a high Powered Presidential Committee to pursue the actualization of the Continental Shelf extension;

(ii) invite the high Powered Presidential Committee headed by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee coordinated by the National Boundary Commission and the United Nations Resident Team to brief the House on the status of the Continental Shelf Project;

(iii) mandate the Committee on Marine Transport to closely follow the continental shelf extension project and give a quarterly report to the House.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORT (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase chairing:

16. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme Act, Cap. N 42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2021; and for Related Matters (HB. 371) (Rep. Ndudi Elumelu) – Committee of the Whole: 7/7/2021).

Synopsis of report:
Rep. Elumelu stated that the Bill was passed by the House earlier and also concurred to by the Senate. It however did not receive Presidential assent before the expiration of the House. He called on the House to consider and pass it.
The Bill also seeks to ensure a precise regulatory body for the health sector.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-60

17. Committee on Environment:
Rep. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Environment on a Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Forestry in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 801) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 9/6/2021).

Synopsis of report:
Rep. Oghuma stated that the Bill is based on the management and professional regulation of the forest and forest resources so that Nigerians derive the full benefits of the professionals in the industry.

It was however observed that the Bill will duplicate the functions of the National Forestry Department by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase and Rep. Nicholas Ossai.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila called on members not to throw out the whole Bill since it has also gone through the whole legislative process of member’s debate and the public’s contribution at the public hearing.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole and the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase noted that the House has to be stringent to ensure that it doesn’t pass a Bill that will be easily jettisoned by the Executive

 

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-31

18. Special Committee on National Security:
Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on National Security to proffer Solutions to issues Relating to Insecurity in the country and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 8/7/2021).

Recommendations for Immediate Actions by the Legislature:
(i) Set a declassification period and process (backed by law) for security votes: Security votes at all levels should be declassified at the end of four years for legislative review and four years thereafter for public access, towards improving the utilization of the votes for Enhancing security;

(ii) Establish development commissions across all six (6) of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: e.g Niger Delta Development Commission, South West Development Commission, North East Development Commission, South East Development commission, etc.

(iii) Strengthen the Federal Character law, to ensure better and more vigorous enforcement and implementation. Every Nigerian deserves to be treated with dignity and rights irrespective of where they may physically be located in the country;

(iv) Establish interventionist agency (or add to the role of an existing Agency) to identify and provide little investment and sustenance opportunities to ex-convicts, jobless youths, discharged but indigents military and paramilitary personnel, among others; it is being alleged that most of the violent crimes are committed by these classes of citizens. Maintain a central database of convicted persons, persons who have served out their terms, and persons in prisons and awaiting trial;

(v) Establish a national transitional justice framework. The absence of a unifying Transitional justice framework remains a challenge in addressing Nigeria’s intractable conflicts. Existing Transitional Justice frameworks e.g., designed to address the Niger- Delta or the Boko Haram insurgency, will require review, towards applying them to the many victims of the other security challenges.

(vi) Invite representatives from Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter to a special dialogue to discuss a voluntary Platform Regulations framework that centres the need for platforms to have content regulation policies themselves that are well designed and consistently enforced in Nigeria. (Increasingly complex phenomena such as the use of automation to manipulate algorithms that control the digital information, we see mean that it is ever more difficult to navigate online spaces. Social media analysis has revealed that the Nigerian online space shows evidence of up to 19.5% bot usage; that is to say, programs or scripts were written to artificially increase the visibility of certain kinds of content. In recognition of this, social media companies themselves have an ever more important role to play in moderating content on their platforms).

(vii) Resolve legislatively, the crisis of overlapping mandates amongst the various security-related agencies.

Recommendations for immediate actions by​the Executive:

(i) Instruct the immediate enhanced training for the Police Mobile Unit to improve their capacity to deal with insecurity. A special team of 40,000 Police Mobile Unite officers should undergo this special training. 1,000 should then be deployed to every state for immediate operations. North East, South West, South East can receive the officers remaining out of the 40k;

(ii) Create a new team under the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to train and work with the guards of Nigeria’s forest. This unit will collaborate with the current Forest Guards who will remain under the control of States;

(iii) Encourage the Intelligence Agencies (working with the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Defence Staff) to initiate a screening and vetting program of all frontline officers of the Nigerian military to fish out moles and double-agents who have so far compromised most efforts at combating insecurity and win the war against insurgents and terrorists;

(iv) Strategically, the Executive should initiate a Presidential Police Reform initiative that will be resident in one central place within the Presidency. Also, an operational specialised unit should be established within the NPF to champion and drive all the change initiatives (based on a Presidential Policing Reform Roadmap) from within the institution;

(v) Direct the use of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund to procure some of the immediate equipment needs by the rank-and-file police officers in Nigeria. This intervention will include the procurement of modern critical equipment for the Nigeria Police Force as specified by the leadership of the NPF;

(vi) Give immediate consideration to the use of Private Defence Contractors for targeted security operations to combat insurgency and terrorism especially;

(vii) Urge the Executive to use all means at its disposal (while Legislation is pending), to require the creation of a protocol that will compel intelligence (as a matter of necessity) sharing amongst all security agencies;

(viii) Deploy Early Warning Systems nationwide including installation of CCTV cameras and other surveillance, satellite and electronic equipment along major highways, public places, and major cities and our borders;

(ix) Establish and strengthen a National Crisis Centre (NCC) within the Nigerian Police. The NCC will be the national coordinating centre for all civil security response actions and monitoring of resolutions of such with monthly reporting on all incidents. It will also be the central place for any Nigerian to report major security incidents;

(x) Through an Executive Order, initiate a Civilianisation program in all our security agencies. This should compel the agencies to use civilian staff to perform most back-office and non-tactical duties. This initiative will free up thousands of security personnel for frontline duties immediately;

(xi) Encourage and resource the National Orientation Agency and the Federal Ministry of Information to begin a structured strategic Communication and orientation campaign using all available media channels and platforms to promote peaceful coexistence and national unity;
(xii) Support for the creation of Local Security Committees in all 774 Local Government Areas. This panel should include Traditional Rulers, Religious institutions, and local opinion leaders. This should be managed by the NPF as part of its Community Policing mandate;

(xiii) The use and development of grazing reserves and ranching should be pursued in lower population areas. Pilot schemes should commence immediately in all states that are positively disposed to it;

(xiv) Strengthening the judicial and law enforcement administration through a Digitisation initiative for the judiciary. This will speed up the administration of Justice and reduce corruption. Swift administration of justice will help reduce causes of disaffection which feeds into insecurity;

(xv) Strengthen and instruct widespread use of the centralized national criminal database by the NPF and mandate access for other security agencies, providing resources to ensure this can be done. This should also include modernization of the national fingerprint database;

(xvi) The NSA in collaboration with civil security agencies should identify, map, and arrest cult group leaders, violent agitators, and networks of criminal groups at tertiary education level as well as society at large;

(xvii) The nation’s dependence on the import of basic security requirements should be reduced by enhancing the existing military production facilities and private companies across the country for immediate supply of needed security equipment;

(xviii) Target poverty as a must; as poverty is the main driver for all the insecurity issues currently prevalent across the nation. This can be done through a focus on infrastructure and a new jobs’ creation drive and initiative by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Executive is also urged to consider doing even more by declaring a state of emergency on job creation-considering the high rate of unemployment;

(xix) that Nigeria must take major steps to control the flow of illegal arms into the country. The first step must strengthen the control of our borders to detect and seize any illegal shipment of arms into the country, and arrest and prosecute any person associated with the illegal flow of arms into the country. In the next step, Nigeria should reach out to overseas arms dealers to enlist their cooperation against the sales of arms to non-state actors. A third step should be a major diplomatic initiative with the governments of countries known to have companies engaged in selling arms to non-state actors. Continuous Arms-Collection and Depository Scheme should be established nationally to encourage the disposal and collection of illegal firearms.

Synopsis of the report:
Speaker Gbajabiamila said that the Report seeks to strengthen the work of the Special Committee on National Security set up by the House to help efforts of the Federal government to overcome security challenges in the country.

Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and approved: 1-7
Recommendation amended and approved: 6(2)1-19

19. Committees on Air Force and Justice:
Rep. Shehu Mohammed Koko:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committees on Air Force and Justice on Investigation on the Alleged Use of Excessive Force and Abuse of Due Process by the Nigerian Air Force against the Blue Boulevard Limited and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid; 8/7/2021).

(i) Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire the liability on behalf of the Nigerian Air Force and its Establishment, Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited by Paying off Total Investments made by Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited for work done in the construction of a Shopping Mall located at NAF Base Port Harcourt, Rivers State the sum of thirty-five billion, four hundred and two million, seven hundred and twenty-five thousand, six hundred and twenty-two naira (N35,402,725,622.00) only as a result of the collapse of agreements between the parties which ought to end in 2032;

(ii) order Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited after it has been paid the sum of thirty-five billion, four hundred and two million, seven hundred and twenty-five thousand, six hundred and twenty-two naira (N35, 402,725,622.00) to return subscribers funds in the sum of One Billion, Two hundred and seventy-five million, eight hundred and sixty-seven thousand, six hundred and eleven naira (N1, 275,867,611) only to the Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited;
(iii) also urge Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited to approach the Court(s) to vacate all pending injunctions including Federal High Court judgment in Suit No. FHC/PH/FHR/71/2017 restraining the defendant from gaining access and taking possession of the Shopping Mall upon the receipt of (N35, 402,725,622.00).

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Koko stated that the Report was achieved after thorough engagement with the concerned parties and over 16 sittings. He appealed to members to consider and approve the recommendations therein.

Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and approved: 1-3
Added recommendation: 4
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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 Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu

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The House moved for the adoption of the second votes and proceedings of the House following a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by Rep. Benjamin Kalu
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Adjournment:
The House at 14:01 adjourned plenary till Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Whip of the House, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha.

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