Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.

After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
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PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Federal Produce Inspection Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 2166) (Executive) – First Reading.

2. African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Domestication and Enforcement) Bill, 2023 (HB.2167) (Rep. Dachung M. Bagos) – First Reading.

3. Gum Arabic Research Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.2168) (Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno) – First Reading.

4. Standards Organization of Nigeria (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.2169) (Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere) – First Reading.
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PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Committee on Public Petitions:
​Report on the petition by H.N. Olise & Associates:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by H.N. Olise & Associates against Nigerian AGIP Oil Company Ltd over the non-compliance with the terms of settlement contained in the Court Order of the High Court of Asaba, Delta State in Suit No. FHC/ASB/CS/46/2010” (Referred: 19/3/2022)

The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso and seconded by Rep. Abdullahi Salame

2. Committee on Public Petitions:
​Report on the petition by Mrs. Zainab Jibril:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Mrs. Zainab Jibril against the Branch Manager, First City Monument Bank, National Assembly Branch on Illegal, Fraudulent and Unauthorized withdrawal of Forty-One Thousand Two Hundred Naira from her son, Umar Farouq Oshomah Mustapha’s Kid’s Account No. 5312840019 on November 4, 2021 (Referred: 11/11/2021).

The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso and seconded by Rep. Abdullahi Salame

3. Committee on Public Petitions:
​Report on the petition by Mrs. Salihu Dahiru:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by Mrs. Salihu Dahiru against the United Bank for Africa PLC (UBA) on Fraudulent and Unauthorized withdrawal of Six Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Naira from her account on 24th January 2022 (Referred: 11/11/2021).

The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso and seconded by Rep. Abdullahi Salame
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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act Provide for Establishment of Nigerian Maritime Zones; and for Related Matters (HB. 1779) (Senate) (Leader) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Unyime Idem.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Directorate of Employment Act, Cap. N28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to, among other things, empower the Directorate to ensure strict compliance with the Provisions and Principles of Federal Character in Employment and Vacancies in the country; and for Related Matters (HB. 2123) (Rep. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Ganiyu Johnson moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Joseph Bello.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Labor, Employment and Productivity.

3. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Institute for Diving Technology, Anaku, Ayamelum, Anambra State charged with Responsibility to Provide full-time Courses in Deep Sea (Ocean) diving Studies; and for Related Matters (HB. 2099) (Rep. Vincent Ofumelu) – Second Reading.

Bill stepped down by leave of the House
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MOTIONS
4. Re-committal of Bills:
Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata

The House:

Recalls that the following Bills were passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent;

(i) Federal Medical Centre Igboora (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 347); and

(ii) Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1484).

Observes that some fundamental issues which require fresh legislative action emerged after critical analysis of the Bills, hence, re-committal of the Bills to address the issues;

Rescind its decision on the Bills as passed and commit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.

Debate
Rep. Ahmed Jaha moved the motion on Re-Committal of Bills and it was seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Olanrewaju.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

5. Discharge of Committees on Referrals on Bills, Pursuant to Order Eighteen, Rule 3 (g) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata:

The House:

Notes that the following Bills were read a Second time separately and referred to Committees for legislative actions:

S/N

Title

Committee
1.
Federal University of Environment, Nanka (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.1168)

Tertiary Education and Services

2.
Federal Medical Centre, Ufuma, Anambra State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1373)

Health Institutions
3.
National Commission for Museums and Monuments Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB.2133)

Culture and Tourism
4.
Federal College of Education Jengre, Plateau State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 2106)
Tertiary Education and Services

Aware that the Committees are yet to present the report on the Bills, contrary to the provisions of Order Eighteen, Rule 3 (g) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, to wit:

“Any matter referred to any Committee shall be treated within 30 days, otherwise the Committee shall stand discharged after 60 days and the matter committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.”

Resolves to:

Discharge the above-mentioned Committees from the Bills referred to them and commit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Debate
Rep. Ahmed Jaha moved the motion on the discharge of committees on referrals on Bills, Pursuant to Order Eighteen, Rule 3 (g) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives and it was seconded by Rep. Kabiru Idris.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

6. Need to Complete the IVO Dam Project in Ebonyi and Enugu States:
Rep. Makwe Livinus Makwe:

The House:

Notes that in 2014, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources contracted Messrs Anbeez Services Nigeria Limited to construct the Ivo Dam at the confluence of Ivo and Ikeh rivers, at the border of Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State and Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State;

Also notes that while Mpu and Okpanku communities of Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State are downstream of the dam, Ngwogwo, Amaokwe, Okue and Amaeke communities of Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area are on the upstream side;

Aware that the Federal Government specifically embarked on the Dam project for irrigation farming, fishery and electricity generation in the interest of communities in Ebonyi and Enugu States who are predominantly agrarian farmers, thus engaging in intensive cultivation of edible and industrial crops, food processing, and agro-allied businesses and marketing of farm products;

Also aware that although the construction of the Dam has attained an advanced stage, the project has been abandoned on account of lack of funds, resulting in the impounding of water at the upstream side, especially during the rainy seasons;

Concerned that with the abandonment of the project without the spillway in place, the farmlands and rural settlements in the upstream communities of Ngwogwo, Amaokwe, Okue and Amaeke communities have been inundated and sacked by the flood, until the abandonment of the project, these communities have never been flooded and sacked by water since the ages;

Further concerned that with the abandonment of the Dam embankment without the spillway, over 40,000 acres of arable farmlands and rural settlements have remained permanently flooded, given that during the rainy seasons, the embankment itself aggravates the flood, which gets higher and spreads more to inland communities with great velocity, thereby sacking the rural dwellers and destroying farmlands, plantings and rendering over 10,000 households homeless with no source of income, given that farming is their main source of livelihood;

Worried that since the abandonment of the project, the flood has become a menace and death trap to the hapless farmers, especially during the rainy season, as they resort to using improvised canoes to access their faraway farmlands and in the process get drowned;

Also worried on November 15, 2020, Mrs. Udu Ajah got drowned and Mr. Roland Ajah Orji and Mr. Ivoke Ajah Victor lost their lives to the flood on 8 December 2020, while returning from their distant farms, using a locally made canoe, similarly, on December 20, 2020, Mr. Cletus Okorie died in the same dam flood, more scores of death were recorded between 2020 and 2022;

Observes that the affected communities have written severally to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to their aid, but to no avail. On a few occasions, NEMA personnel visited the site to access the situation and later made deliveries of relief materials, only Mpu and Okpanku Communities in Enugu State were covered. The Ngwogwo, Amaokwe, Okue and Amaeke communities of Ivo LGA in Ebonyi State who were worst affected were neglected;

Cognizant of the need for the Federal Government to urgently review the circumstances surrounding the non-completion of the Ivo Dam project as envisaged and prevent disasters and loss of lives and properties;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene in the predicament of Ngwogwo, Amaokwe, Okue and Amaeke Communities of Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State and provide relief materials, shelter and alternative means of livelihood, pending the completion of the Ivo Dam;

(ii) mandate the Committee on Water Resources to interface with the Ministry of Water Resources to audit the Ivo Dam project contract performance and to complete the project in earnest and as a matter of urgent national importance;

(iii) also mandate the Committees on Water Resources and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

7. Need to Beef up Security Formations in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State:
Rep. Sergius Ose Ogun:

The House:

Notes that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government;

Aware that the National Assembly is empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation or any part thereof as enshrined in section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended);

Worried about the spate of kidnappings, armed robbery attacks and insecurity generally in the country, especially in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State, thus leading to the loss of lives, and properties and is causing palpable fear and apprehension among residents;

Informed that on Monday 9 January 2023, Mrs. Precious Aigbonog the President of Customary Court was kidnapped on her way to court around Ugoneki Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State;

Also informed that a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Edughele, was also kidnapped on January 9, 2023, at Ugoneki town on his way to board a flight to Abuja in Benin City;

Disturbed that these sad incidents occurred two days after 20 train passengers were kidnapped at the Igueben Train Station while waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State;

Appreciates the concerted effort by the team of Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police Force which led to the rescue of the President of the Igueben Customary Court and Mr. Festus Edughele as well as 18 out of the 20 Train Passengers kidnapped;

Saddened by the death of DSP Michael Adams during the rescue operation by the Nigerian Army and the Police officers as a result gun duel with the kidnappers;

Cognizant of the urgent need to beef up security formations in the entirety of Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State to forestall kidnappings and eradicate other acts of criminality in Esan land and Edo State;

Convinced that the setting up of a Police Mobile Force Base and a Nigeria Army Barracks/Forward Operating Base (FOB) within Edo Central Senatorial District will go a long way in wadding off perpetrators of crimes and criminality from Esan land and Edo State in general;

Resolves to:
(i) observe a minute of silence in honour of the deceased police officer, DSP Michael Adams, who paid the supreme sacrifice while in active service;

(ii) urge the Inspector General of Police to deploy more mobile Police personnel to Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State;

(iii) also urge the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to set up a Nigeria Army Barracks or a Forward Operating Base (FOB) and a Police Mobile Force Base respectively within Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State;

(iv) mandate the Committees on Army and Police Affairs to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Debate
Rep. Sergius Ogun moved the motion on the need to beef up security formations in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo state and it was seconded by Rep. Tajudeen Obasa.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

8. Need to Construct a Pedestrian Bridge on the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road by Okada Junction
Rep. Dennis Idahosa:

The House:

Notes that the Benin-Ore-Lagos express road is one of the busiest highways in Nigeria with the high volume of vehicles connecting the southwest to the southeast, north and south-south zones of the Country, the road host several communities and towns among the towns is Okada;

Also notes that the road connecting Okada town, Iguobazuwa communities and Benin City on the expressway is a popular Okada Junction, a hub for commercial buses and traders running through over 15 minutes of pedestrian and commercial activities;

Aware that the lives of Nigerians who go about their daily activities on the Okada junction are endangered by the absence of a pedestrian flyover, thus resulting in the loss of lives;

Also aware that residents have continually made a public outcry to the government to construct a pedestrian bridge at Okada junction to avert accidents and loss of lives;

Worried that apart from the dangers to which human lives are exposed, another challenge is that the non-availability of pedestrian bridges discourages residents from hustling for their daily economic activities;

Also worried that school children, traders and workers have been crushed to death and injured in their attempt to cross the express road;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to immediately embark on the construction of a Pedestrian bridge across the expressway of Okada junction on the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road, Edo State to save the lives of Nigerians who are forced to run across the highway to go about their various daily activities;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Dennis Idahosa moved the motion on the need to construct a pedestrian bridge on the Benin-Ore-Lagos road by Okada junction and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Yalleman.

Rep. Ganiyu Johnson proposed an amendment to have pedestrian bridges in other spots that need it on the stretch of the road.

The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase Chaired:

9. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of History and Archaeology, Esie, Kwara State; and for Related Matters (HB. 2159) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 22/12/2022.

Consideration of the Bill stepped down for further consultation with the Senate from where the Bill emanated.

10. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Projects Development Agency (PRODA) Enugu to conduct Scientific, Engineering and Technological Research aimed at facilitating the Domestication and industrialization of Appropriate Technology for Socio-Economic Advancement of Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 2036)– Committee of the Whole: 24/11/2022.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the Bill seeks to give legal backing to the Agency which is already in existence.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-46

11. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the petition by Abbas M. Sani:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by Abbas M. Sani against the Management of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA): and an Appeal for Justice and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 30/11/2022).

(i) Urge the Director–General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to reinstate Abbas M. Sani;

(ii) pay all his salary arrears from February 2002 to date;

(iii) promote him to the post of Director to be at par with his colleagues.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso stated that the report concerns a case of inhuman treatment of the petitioner. He called on members to approve the recommendations.

Summary of voting:
Recommendation amended and adopted: 1

Recommendations voted on and adopted: 2 & 3

12. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the petition by Concerned Pensioners, Delta Steel Company Ltd:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by Concerned Pensioners, Delta Steel Company Ltd against Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) an increase in Pension rates of 150% with effect from 1st January 1999 and 30% effective from January 2000 and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 30/12/2022).

(i) urge the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to adopt the salary structure used for computation of pension of Steel Rolling Mills in the re-computation of pension arrears of the Concerned 1, 370 pensioners of Delta Steel Company Ltd.;

(ii) also urge the Executive Secretary, PTD to implement the recommended salary structure for the payment of pension arrears of the 1, 370 concerned pensioners;

(iii) again urge the Executive Secretary, PTD to restore the 150% and 30% increase in pension rates unlawfully removed from the pension entitlements of the 1, 370 concerned pensioners without further delay.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso stated that the report was based on a mistake in the calculation of the amount due to the pensioners as their increment was not captured.

Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and adopted: 1-3

13. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the petition by Aggrieved Drivers of Addax Petroleum:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by Aggrieved Drivers of Addax Petroleum against the Management of Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited for slavery, inhuman treatment and unlawful termination of employment and approve the recommendation therein” (Laid: 15/4/2021).

Urge the Managing Director, Addax/SINOPEC Petroleum to liaise with all the companies with which the aggrieved drivers were contracted to work with to ensure that adequate compensation is paid for their retirement benefits and entitlements to enable them to start a life elsewhere.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso stated that the aggrieved petitioners complained about the refusal of the company to confirm them as permanent staff. The aggrieved workers complained that rather, they were being subjected to continuous outsourced renewable contract/casual staff without increments in remuneration, and no form of allowances.

The lawmakers contested if the original conditions of employment gave an avenue for their conversion to permanent staff. The Committee could not ascertain this, so the consideration of the report was deferred until a breach of the employment contract was ascertained.
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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 Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno
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Adjournment:
The House at 13:11 adjourned plenary to Thursday, January 19th, 2023 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Jerry Alabgaoso.

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