Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, June 29, 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, June 10th, 2021
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Administration of oath of National allegiance and that of the office of a Member of the House of Representatives on member-elect, Rep. Yusuf Shittu of Jigawa State (APC)
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COMMUNICATION FROM Mr. PRESIDENT
Submission of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2021 for the consideration and approval of the House of Representatives.

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Request from the second Deputy Speaker of the Malawian parliament to embark on a study tour of the Nigerian House of Representatives
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MEETINGS :

1. Southern Legislators to meet at Lagos Hall, Transcorp Hilton by 4:00 Pm

2. Meeting between the leadership of the House with members of the Special Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Committee of the House of Representatives by 3:00 Pm at Hearing room 028, House of Representatives.

3. Interested Members of the House are to attend a special briefing on the PIB by the GMD NNPC with Honourable Members on Wednesday by 4:00 Pm
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The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila reminded members of the need to ensure the Supplementary Budget and the PIB are dealt with before the commencement of the summer recess.
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DEFECTIONS
1. Rep. Idagbo from the PDP to APC
2. Rep. Michael Itiaba from PDP to APC
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Rep. Toby Okechukwu as the Deputy Minority Leader raised a point of order on the defections alleging that there is no faction in the States of the Honourable members that defected, so there is no justifiable reason for their defections, hence the need for the members to vacate their seat as the PDP was the platform on which they came into the National Assembly.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila reminded Rep. Okechukwu that the member defecting has the right to determine if there is a crisis in the party and that cannot be interpreted for them.
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PETITIONS

1. Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo laid a petition from a complainant bordering on injustice against the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Agency on the lack of payment of his pension benefits

2. Rep. Gideon Goroki laid a petition on behalf of a petitioner on his wrongful termination from employment from an NGO and sought the intervention of the House for his reinstatement

3. Rep. Julius Ihonvbere laid a petition from a complainant against the University of Calabar which employed him and after fulfilling all due accreditation exercises, he has still not been allowed to resume work. He craved the intervention of the House to resolve the matter.

All petitions were referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions.

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MOTIONS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

1. Rep. Preye Goodluck rose on behalf of Members from the Niger Delta region to move a motion on the need to address the imminent civil disorder due to the activities of the Nigerian AGIP oil company and it was seconded by Rep. Francis Waive.

Rep. Preye in leading the debate stated that the staff composition in the senior management cadre of most oil companies in the Niger Delta communities where they carry out their operations do not reflect true federalism. The management positions he stated are occupied by personnel of one geo-political zone to the detriment of other zones, especially the Niger Delta where the bulk of their operations are located. Rep. Preye called on the House Committee in Petroleum Upstream to investigate and report back to the House within 3 weeks for further legislative action.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

2. Rep. Dachung Bagos moved a motion on the problem of insecurity in parts of Plateau State and it was seconded by Rep. Taiwo Oluga.

Rep. Bagos in leading the debate stated that suspected herdsmen were labelled as the perpetrators of continuous attacks on communities in Jos South. He expressed worry as members of the communities now live in fear and hardly go to their farms which is their major source of livelihood. He called on the inspector general of police to reinforce police presence in the affected communities and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book, Rep. Bagos further called on the House committee on police to ensure compliance.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

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Rep. Mark Gbillah raised a Point of Order based on the breach of his privilege. He stated that the freezing of the account of some Nigerians by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was unconstitutional and he had earlier moved the issue on the floor of the House and findings show that the CBN governor does not have the legal power to freeze such accounts. He called on the Speaker to refer the matter to an Ad-Hoc Committee to expedite action on the matter since the House Committee on Banking seems to be taking too much time in handling the referral.

Rep. Victor Nwokolo, Chairman House Committee on banking in his reply called for an extension of time for the Committee to do its job while noting that the issue is being investigated and a report will be laid soon before the House.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu also called for a little more time for the Committee on banking to round up the investigation.

An extension of 2 weeks was approved for the House Committee on Banking to submit its report.

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PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1402) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

2. Central Bank of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1403) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

3. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1404) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.

4. Federal College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1420) (Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo) – First Reading.

5. Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1455)​(Hon. Aminu Suleiman) – First Reading.

6. Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1456) (Rep. Miriam Onuoha) – First Reading.

7. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1457) (Rep. Babangida Ibrahim and 58 Others) – First Reading.

8. Prohibition of Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1466) (Senate) – First Reading.

9. National Institute for Border Studies, Imeko (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1467) (Senate) – First Reading.

10. Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) 2021 (HB. 1468) (Senate) – First Reading.
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PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Committee on Healthcare Services:
Rep. Tanko Sununu:
‘That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Healthcare Services on a Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Act No. 8, 2014 to Define Basic Minimum Package of Health Services, provide more Mechanisms for Realizing the Objectives of the Principal Act in Providing Free Healthcare Services to all Nigerian without Prejudice to the Requirement of Payments of the Contributory Scheme stipulated in the National Health Insurance Scheme Act; and for Related Matters (HB. 668) (Referred:

The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Yusuf Sununu and seconded by Rep. Boniface Sunday

2. Committees on Defence and Army:
Rep. Babajimi Benson
“That the House do receive Report of the Committees on Defence and Army on the Confirmation of Appointment of the Chief of Army Staff (Referred: 8/6/2021).

The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Babajimi Benson and seconded Rep. Maki

3. Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission:
Rep. Akinfolarinwa Mayowa Samuel:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission on the Need to Dissuade Officers of the Corps from Engaging Motorists in hot chase on Highways” (HR/125/03/2020) (Referred:19/3/2020).

The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Mayowa Akin and seconded by Rep. Gaza Gbwefi.

4. Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Telecommunications, Information and Technology, Justice, and National Security and Intelligence:
Rep. Odebunmi Olusegun Dokun:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Telecommunications, Information and Technology, Justice, and National Security and Intelligence on the Federal Government’s Suspension of the Operations of the Social Media Network, Twitter in Nigeria” (Referred: 8/6/2021).

The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Segun Odebunmi and seconded by Rep. Tajudeen Obasa.

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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Funtua; and for Related Matters (HB. 645) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria to Determine the Standards of Knowledge and Skill are to be Attained by Persons seeking to become Members of the Institute, Review those Standards from time to time; and for Related Matters (HB. 1120) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Nigeria French Language Village, as an Inter–University Centre for French Studies; and for Related Matters (HB.737) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Nigeria Arabic Language Village, as an Inter–University Centre for Arabic Studies; and for Related Matters (HB.738) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

5. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State for the Promotion and Development of Technical Education in Nigeria and make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters (HB. 721) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

6. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Institute of Credit Administration to Ensure Effective Credit Management Practice and Set Standards and Skills to be Attained by Persons seeking to become Professional Credit Managers in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1018) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Fulata.

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

7. Consolidation of Bills:
(a) A Bill for an Act to Amend the North–East Development Commission Act, 2017 to make Provisions for Enhanced Efficiency in the Operations of the North–East Development Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1152) (Rep. Khadija Bukar A. Ibrahim and 4 Others); and

(b) A Bill for an Act to Amend the North–East Development Commission Act, 2017 to Deepen the Impact of the Commission on the Lives of Residence of Member States through Strategic Capital Development Projects and enhance the critical sources of Revenues due to the Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1341) (Rep. Mansur Manu Soro).

Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the consolidation of the Bills and it was seconded by Rep. Aminu Suleiman.

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

8. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Bukkuyum; and for Related Matters (HB. 1206) (Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi) – Second Reading.

Bill stepped down by leave of the House

9. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Makurdi; and for Related Matters (HB.476) (Rep. Mzondu Benjamin Bem and Rep. M.T. Monguno) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Benjamin Mzondu moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno.

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

10. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Lottery Act, No. 7, 2005 and the National Lottery (Amendment) Act, No. 6, 2017 and Enact the National Gaming Bill to Regulate the Operation and Business of Gaming in Nigeria and Enhance Revenue Generation for the Government of the Federation to Complement the Funding Gap of the Commission; and for Related Matters (HB.1288) (Rep. Akin Alabi) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Alabi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Nasir Ali Ahmed.

The Bill was voted, passed for second reading and referred to the Committee on Inter-government Affairs

11. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020; and for Related Matters (HB. 1060) (Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo) – Second Reading.

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

The Bill was voted, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
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MOTIONS
12. Need to Assess the Vehicle Licensing Process in Nigeria:
Rep. Ben Rollanda Igbakpa.

The House:

Notes that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Vehicles Inspection Officer (VIO) and the States Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) are Agencies responsible for Vehicle licencing in Nigeria;

Also notes that it is the practice for a vehicle owner to present required data, make payment and eventually issued vehicle licence and number plate by either of the Agencies;

Aware that driving Articulated Vehicles requires special skills and knowledge of traffic laws and regulations in force but many drivers of articulated vehicles are not qualified to operate such vehicles as they are not licensed and lack skills to drive, thus resulting in fatal accidents;

Also aware that in order to reduce the reoccurring rate of Accidents, the Federal Government mandated the Federal Road Safety Commission to establish minimum safety requirements for Articulated Vehicles;

Conscious of the responsibilities of Federal Road Safety Corps to include monitoring, certifying, registering and enforcing compliance with regulations governing safety operations of Articulated Vehicles in Nigeria;

Cognizant that the administration of minimum safety requirements demands that operators of the Articulated vehicles conform to the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme and registration of companies and that all tankers/tractor–trailers or any other form of an Articulated Vehicle, including those conveying dangerous goods are also required to comply with the guidelines on safe operations;

Further aware that only Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) have accredited curriculum that would pass for the training of and certification of driving training team to train drivers of Articulated Vehicles;

Disturbed that most tanker drivers are adolescents who can neither speak nor write in English, yet when issued licenses they endangered other road users contrary to the FRSC registration process mandating tanker/tractor–trailer transport services/ operators to register their transport companies with the FRSC;

Concerned that the proliferation of uncertified driving schools issuing driving certificates to untrained drivers results in producing inexperience drivers thereby causing accidents;

Also cognizant of the fact that it is the responsibility of the Federal Road Safety Commission to have a driving school curriculum and qualified personnel for the purpose of monitoring, certifying, registering and enforcing compliance with the regulation governing safety operations of Articulated Vehicles in Nigeria;

Believes that unless the vehicle licensing processes as well as safety requirements and guidelines for Articulated Vehicles operations in Nigeria are rejigged with curriculum for drivers’ training school under the supervision of relevant transport institutes, the incidence of a road accident by articulated trucks drivers will continue unabated;

Resolves to:

(i) urges the Federal Road Safety Corps to compel tanker/tractor–trailer transport services/operators to disclose the type of heavy-duty vehicles business operation they are engaged in and register with the FRSC;

(ii) also urge the Federal Road Safety Commission to stipulate stringent administrative procedures for tankers/trailers operations in Nigeria for first–time Articulated Vehicles operators/applicants for FRSC Registration;

(iii) further urge the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) and related vehicle regulatory authorities to develop a comprehension driving curriculum as in the Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT);

(iv) call on the Federal Ministry of Transport to establish the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in the six geopolitical zones to ensure access to the Institute and acquire the requisite knowledge and qualification before setting up the driving schools or manning the articulated vehicles;

(v) mandate the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure implementation.

Debate
Rep. Ben Igbakpa moved the motion on the need to assess the vehicle licensing process in Nigeria and it was seconded by Rep. Benjamin Mzondu. Rep. Benjamin Mzondu also proposed an amendment to incorporate the House committee on land transport to the matter.

The motion was voted and adopted as amended.

13. Need to Curb Online Crimes and Child Exploitation in Nigeria:
Rep. Bamidele Salam:

The House:

Notes that Nigeria had 99.05 million internet users in 2020 and is projected to grow to 131.7 million in 2023 as Nigeria remains the only country with the highest number of smartphones penetration in the world;

Also notes that in 2020, internet penetration in Nigeria amounted to 46.6 per cent of the population and set to reach 65.2 per cent in 2025;

Aware that crimes, anti-social and harmful acts like killings, kidnappings, internet scams, cyberbullying, grooming, luring and sexual exploitation are being committed daily via mobile devices as part of the accompanied threats of digital/technological innovation in Nigeria;

Also aware that online child grooming has become a growing source for concern as minors are lured into various illicit businesses such as child trafficking, child prostitution and production of child pornography through online grooming;

Disturbed that in 2016, the Internet Watch Foundation identified 57,000 Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), the web addresses containing child sexual abuse materials;

Observes that the closure of schools and other COVID–19 related restrictions have increased the number of time children spend online for educational and social purposes which have invariably increased the vulnerability of children falling victims to sexual exploitation;

Also disturbed that no decisive steps have been taken to curb the prevalence of online crimes despite reported cases, which include the case of Cynthia Udoka Osokogu who was lured from her residence in Abuja via Facebook chat and killed in a hotel in Lagos, in 2012, Favour Oladele, a 300–level undergraduate of the Department of Theatre Art, Lagos State University was gruesomely murdered on 8 December 2019 at Ikoyi–IIe in Osun State, among others;

Concerned that there are several unreported cases of missing persons, rape and other related crimes through mobile devices connectivity and social media platforms;

Cognizant that the online crimes and child exploitations are largely preventable through the creation of an application/solution by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) which allows parents and guardians to track online activities, location, calls, SMS, WhatsApp, and other internet activities of their children and wards;

Believes that only MTN Operator out of all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria has an application/solution (MTN impulse powered by Kaspersky) which, upon payment of a monthly subscription of N250.00, allows parents to track and monitor online the activities of children;

Resolves to:

(i) urge the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria have an application/solution which allows parents to track online activities of their children whenever they are online at no cost;

(ii) also urge the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria engage in sensitization of children and parents on online child exploitation and the accompanying dangers, as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);

(iii) further urge the Ministry of Women Affairs to develop a policy framework to promote education advocacy on online crimes and child exploitations in Nigeria;

(iv) mandate the Committees on Telecommunications and Women Affairs to ensure compliance.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

14. Incessant Disregard of Traffic Lights in the Federal Capital Territory:
Rep. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen:

The House:

Notes that the flagrant disregard and violation of traffic rules by private and commercial drivers has led to loss of lives and properties within the Abuja metropolis, causing physical, emotional, psychological and economic dislocation to victims;

Disturbed that according to statistics by the Federal Road Safety Corps and other traffic management agencies, while some Abuja residents have lost their lives, others are thrown into physical disability, making the Federal Capital Territory one of the cities with the highest cases of traffic lights violation in Nigeria;

Concerned that according to statistics the major culprits being top government officials and influential personalities, thus making it very difficult for traffic management agencies to effect arrest and prosecution of this group of traffic offenders;

Worried that due to dereliction of duties by relevant agencies in the Federal Capital Territory, some of the traffic lights have either stopped working or malfunctioning, thereby contributing negatively to the alarming rate of road accidents;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant traffic management agencies to embark on regular, intensive and strategic advocacy to educate vehicle drivers on the need to obey traffic lights and the various consequences of non–compliance;

(ii) also urge the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to ensure that all traffic lights within the metropolis are working;

(iii) further urge the Federal Road Safety Corps and other traffic management agencies to ensure that offenders of traffic lights violation, irrespective of status are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly to serve as a deterrent to other vehicle drivers;

(iv) mandate the Committees on Federal Capital Territory and Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Yusuf Tajudeen moved the motion on the incessant disregard of traffic lights and negative consequences on lives and properties in Abuja and it was seconded by Rep. Ogbaga.

The motion was voted and adopted.

15. Need to Reinforce Guidance and Counselling in Schools Across the Nation:
Rep. Nsikak Ekong:

The House:

Notes that guidance and counselling plays an integral role in inculcating virtues and values in the society, particularly among the youth;

Also notes that the practice of guidance and counselling has largely been relegated to the background both in schools and in the society as a whole;

Concerned that due to its neglect, there is moral, academic and cultural decadence leading to societal discord and disorientation as the youths are left to chart their courses, leading to rising cases of banditry, armed robbery, cultism, prostitution, examination malpractices etc, in the society;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Education to make it compulsory to have guidance and counselling units in all schools across the country;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Tertiary Education and Services and Basic Education and Services 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 chairing

16. Committee on Healthcare Services:
Rep. Yusuf Tanko Sununu:
That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Healthcare Services on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act, to Expand and bring the Long Title in Conformity with the actual Intendment of the Bill, Provide Stiff Punitive Measures to Checkmate Violations; and for Related Matters (HB. 728) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid:28/4/2021).

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Sununu stated that the committee conducted a public hearing on the matter and Nigerians were interested in the issue. The Bill seeks to amend the existing Act to take care of critical aspects, giving legal backing for the betterment of Nigerian society, he said.

Clauses voted on and carried: 1-7, 9-11, 13-15, 17, 18
Clause amended and carried: 8, 12, 16

17. Committees on Defence and Army:
Rep. Babajimi Benson:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committees on Defence and Army on the Confirmation of Appointment of the Chief of Army Staff and approve the recommendation therein” (Laid: 29/6/2021).

That Major General Faruk Yahaya be confirmed as the Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having successfully undergone the screening process of the Committee.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Babajimi Benson stated that the report followed the correspondence from Mr. President for the confirmation of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The joint Committee grilled the nominee and was satisfied with his response which formed the basis of their recommendation.

Summary of voting: Recommendation voted on and approved.
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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 Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Toby Okechukwu
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Adjournment:
The House at 14:00 adjourned plenary till Wednesday, June 30th, 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 Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Toby Okechukwu

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