Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

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

After leading the opening prayer and recitation of the national pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, June 14th, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENT

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila reminded Chairmen and members of the various Ad-Hoc committees to ensure they work harder to submit their reports in due time. This is in line with the fact that the House is in the final stretch of its legislative duties, and that the House will also be proceeding on it’s annual recess in about 4 weeks time, so there really is little time.
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MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

1. Rep. Toby Okechukwu moved a motion on the need to investigate the endless raging fire at the premises of Caritas University in Enugu state and it was seconded by Rep. Garba Ahmed. Rep. Okechukwu stated that the fire which has been burning for weeks now has already claimed a life and seems to be fuel-induced. He bemoaned the fact that there has been no intervention from the NNPC or other government agencies, this is indeed worrisome he stated; as the principal duty of government is to ensure safety of its citizens. He called on the Ministry of petroleum, the NNPC and it’s subsidiaries to bring the fire to a halt and take a study of the cause and means of the raging fire, with a view to ensuring it never reoccurs again. He further called on the relevant committees of the House to ensure full compliance. The motion was voted on and adopted.

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PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Federal College of Education (Special) Afon, Kwara State Bill, 2022 (HB. 1991) (Senate) – First Reading

2. Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1992) (Senate) – First Reading.

3. Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1993) (Senate) – First Reading.

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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. Consolidation of Bills:
(a) A Bill for an Act to Establish Electoral Offences Commission and the Electoral Offences Tribunal; and for Related Matters (HB.695) (Rep. Francis Charles Uduyok);

(b) A Bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Electoral Offences Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1372) (Rep. Aishatu J. Dukku);

(c) A Bill for an Act to Establish Electoral Offences Commission and the Electoral Offences Tribunal to Provides for the Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution of Electoral Offences for the general Improvement of the Electoral Process in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1427) (Rep. O. K. Chinda);and

(d) A Bill for an Act to Establish National Electoral Offences Commission; and for Related Matters (HB.1589) (Senate)

Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the consolidation of the 4 Bills and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Yunusa. The Bill was voted on and approved for consolidation. The Rules and Business committee was then asked to schedule a date for the debate of the general principles of the newly consolidated Bill.

Rep. Ben Roland Igbakpa rose on a point of Order siting Section 4 of the constitution which gives the National Assembly powers to make Laws for the good and governance of Nigeria. He reminded the Speaker that Members had to be recalled from their constituencies for a special plenary sitting to work on the Electoral Bill. He bemoaned the fact that the sacrifice of the Legislature for a near perfect Electoral Act was jettisoned by the Presidency at the expense of the interest of Nigerians. Rep. Igbakpa wondered why the National Assembly did not veto/override the President’s refusal to sign the Bill. The consequence he stated has shown itself in the shoddy manner in which the recently concluded political party primaries were conducted nationwide. He described the outcome of the party primaries nationwide as a sad situation which has ensured a sabotage of the people’s will, as well as a total hijack of party structures by a manipulative few.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila reminded Rep. Igbakpa that the powers to veto relies on members generally being totally convinced that the President erred in his action or inaction. This would then trigger a process which will be done by electronic voting. He advised for a proper motion if Rep. Igbakpa is convinced the collective rights of Legislators were breached.

2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Education, Omu-Aran to Provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching Instructions and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management, to Provide for Appointment of Provost and other Officers of the College, to carry out the Administration and Discipline of Students of the College; and for Related Matters (HB. 131) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

3. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Education, Elebele Ogbia, Bayelsa State to provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching Instructions and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and Provide for Appointment of Provost and Other Officers of the College, to carry out Administration and Discipline of Students of the College; and for Related Matters (HB. 1507) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

4. A Bill For an Act to Establish the Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa as Conventional University with Selected Programmes, Limited and Focused Faculties to Promote Scholarship, Research and other Means of Advancement of Knowledge and its Practical Application to Military Hardware and Software as well as Maritime, Arts, Science and Technology, and Provide an Opportunity for Acquiring Higher and Liberal
Education in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1339) – Third Reading.

Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

5. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Nyak-Shendam, Plateau State to Provide full and Part-time Courses of Instruction in different fields of study; and for Related Matters (HB.1897) (Rep. Adamu Yusuf Gagdi) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Uju Kingsley. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House committee on tertiary education.

6. A Bill for an Act to Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Fishery and Aquaculture, Tella, Taraba State; and for Related Matters (HB.893) (Rep. Abdulsalam Gambo Mubarak) – Second Reading

Second reading of the Bill stepped down by leave of the House.
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MOTIONS

7. Need to Address the Menace of Flood and Erosion in Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency in Bauchi State:
Rep. Ibrahim Makama Misau:

The House:

Notes that Diya and Misau in Dambam Federal Constituency of Bauchi State are constantly devastated by flood and erosion due to the destruction of the Dam in the area;

Also notes that the communities of Jalam, Dagauda, Dambam, Zadawa, Tofu, Hardawa, Gwaram, Akuyam, Kafin Sule, Beti, Ajili/Gugulin and some parts of Misau have suffered from flooding in recent times with devastating effects on lives, properties and the environment;

Concerned that the constant flooding and erosions, persistent heavy rainfall may be a result of the global effects of climate change;

Worried that the cultural heritage of the annual fishing festival, which is already negatively affected by annual flooding and erosion may be lost completely if the situation is not addressed;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Environment to include the affected areas in mapping of erosion-prone areas immediately;

(ii) also urge the Hadeja/Jama’are River Basin to include the affected communities in its 2022 policy on the reconstruction of dilapidated Dams across the country and consider re-drainage of Diya Dam in Dambam Local Government and Maladumba Dam in Misau Local Government Areas;

(iii) further urge the Ecological Fund Office to immediately commence the reconstruction of the erosion site in the affected areas in Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency;

(iv) mandate the Committees on Environment and Ecological Fund to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Ibrahim Misau moved the motion on the need to address the menace of flood and erosion in Misau/Dambam federal constituency in Bauchi state and it was seconded by Rep. Enitan Badru. The motion was voted on and adopted.

8. Call for Rehabilitation of Afaha Obonmg-Iwuem Federal Road in Akwa Ibom State:
Rep. Aniekan Umanah:

The House:

Notes that economic activities thrive more in communities where there are good access roads for the movement of farm produce, goods and services from one point to another;

Also notes that the 41 kilometer Afaha Obong-Iwukem road is a federal road that traverses Abak and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and is also a major connection to Aba in Abia State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State;

Concerned that the road has collapsed around the vicinities of Uruk Ata Ikot Ekpo, Etok Nto Obo and Obo Ekpo Communities in Etim and has caused untold hardship as motorists and commuters spend long hours due to its dilapidated state;

Recalls that the road was reconstructed in 2009 by the Government of Akwa Ibom State after over 50 years of neglect by the Federal Government;

Worried that the deplorable condition of the road has brought untold hardship to the people who rely on it to transport their goods and services;

Concerned that the distance which would have been covered in less than 30 minutes now takes several hours, especially around the failed sections of the road;

Cognizant that if nothing is done urgently to rehabilitate the road, it would continue to deteriorate and pose security threats to the lives of commuters, thus hampering socio-economic activities and growth in the area;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently intervene and rehabilitate the failed portions of the Afaha Obong-Iwukem road to ease the hardship experienced by the people;

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

Debate
Rep. Aniekan Umanah moved the motion on a call for the rehabilitation of Afaha Obonmg-Iwuem federal road in Akwa Ibom state and it was seconded by Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo.

Rep. Abdulganiyu Johnson proposed an amendment to urge the House committees on FERMA and Appropriation to accommodate the rehabilitation of the road in the 2023 budget so that it can be rightly captured and given the due attention it deserves. The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.

The House committee on Legislative Compliance and the Clerk of the House were asked to ensure due compliance.

9. Need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Extend the Deadline of Continuous Voters Registration, Deploy additional Staff and Voters Registration Machines Across the Country:
Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu:

The House:

Notes that the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to end on 30 June 2022, ahead of the 2023 General Elections;

Also notes that the decision to suspend the voters’ registration is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 which requires INEC to suspend voters’ registration at least 60 days before an election;

Aware that in April 2022, INEC declared that about 42% of the voter registrations recorded since the commencement of Continuous Voters Registration on 28 June, 2021 were invalid with about 20 million unclaimed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs);

Cognizant of the large numbers of unregistered eligible voters willing to be registered as evidenced by crowd seen at various registration centres resulting in congestion;

Concerned by reports of shortages of voter registration machines, inadequate manpower and personnel at registration centres which may lead to frustrations among prospective registrants and in some cases, unrest at some registration centres;

Also aware of calls from concerned Citizens and Civil Societies urging INEC to extend the voters’ registration deadline to accommodate eligible voters desiring to register for their Permanent Voters Cards;

Further aware that the right to vote is critically important to the health and legitimacy of our democracy, as well as electoral integrity;

Also cognizant that if nothing is done to improve the shortage of voter registration equipment and extend the deadline for voters registration, millions of Nigerians will be disenfranchised thus jeopardizing the integrity of the 2023 General Elections;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the voters registration deadline by an extra 60 (sixty) days from June 30, 2022, to enable Nigerians register;

(ii)​ mandate the Committee on Electoral Matters to engage the Independent National Electoral Commission to examine and proffer solutions to the shortage of registration machines and manpower and deploy an additional 30 voter registration machines in each local government area, train and deploy ad-hoc staff to improve the shortage of manpower at registration centres, provide security for the Ad-hoc staff and report back within two (2) weeks.

Debate
Rep. Benjamin Kalu moved the motion on the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the deadline of continuous voters registration, deploy additional staff and voters registration machines across the country and it was seconded by Rep. Preye Oseke.

Rep. Yusuf Gagdi proposed an amendment to reduce the proposed extension from 60 to 30 days in fairness to INEC. This is so that INEC will be able to collate data and produce the cards in time for the elections proper. He called on Nigerians to ensure they try and register within stipulated timeframes so that INEC is not over burned. Rep. Gagdi reiterated his position even though the amendment was not seconded.

Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha proposed an amendment for INEC to provide specialized registration centers for the elderly, the vulnerable and people living with disabilities to ensure their rights are not frustrated.

Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka further proposed an amendment to ask the House committee on Electoral Matters to find out why INEC halts voters registration. This is especially as the process is called ‘continuous voters registration’. He called on the committee to report back to the House within a week for the House to take decision on the issue.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila reminded Rep. Isiaka that the fact that there is an election makes it mandatory for a periodic end to the exercise before elections, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu called for the registration process to run till a short time before elections as it is done in other climes. The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.

10. Need to Commend the Exceptional Bravery of Mr Ejiro Otarigho in the Petroleum Tanker Fire Explosion at Agbarho, Delta State:
​Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive:

The House:

Notes that the recurrent fire incidences of Petroleum Products Laden Tankers across the country which has resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties worth billions of naira;

Cognizance that most of the accidents can be blamed on overloading, dilapidated roads, rickety articulated vehicles as well as drivers’ carelessness;

Aware that on June 10, 2022 in Agbarho town in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, a Tanker loaded with diesel caught fire as the Driver, Mr Ejiro Otarigho was leaving a Petrol Station after discharging its contents;

Also aware that the Driver at the risk of his life drove the burning truck across the busy residential area and the famous ‘five junctions’ two kilometres to the bank of Agbarho River before disembarking in the midst of the fire;

Appreciates that no life was lost and only the truck and its contents was destroyed;

Also appreciates that the Driver, Mr Ejiro Otarigho did not panic nor did he think selfishly;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Government to recognize and reward Mr Ejiro Otarigho excellent performance with a National Award;

(ii) commend Mr Ejiro Otarigho’s courage, selflessness and patriotism in saving lives and properties;

(iii) also urge all Nigerians to emulate the excellent behaviour of Mr Ejiro Otarigho;

(iv) again urge all Petroleum Products Haulage Companies to train their drivers to emulate the standard set by Mr Ejiro Otarigho.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House.

11. Call for Removal and Prosecution of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for Violating the Provisions of the Central Bank Act, 2007:
Rep. Sergius Ose Ogun:

The House:

Notes that Sections 88 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly;

Aware that Section 38 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 permits it to grant loan advances to the Federal Government in respect of temporary deficiency of budget revenue as the total amount of such loans does not exceed five percent of the previous year’s actual revenue of government;

Also aware that the said Section 38 of the CBN Act provides that loans shall be repaid by the Federal Government the same financial year it was granted, if the government fails to repay the loan as stipulated, the powers of the Central Bank of Nigeria to grant further loans to the Federal Government shall not be exercised;
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Informed that the total borrowings of the Federal Government of Nigeria from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through ways and means advances in the past six years have been in flagrant breach of Section 38 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007;

Also Informed that the said borrowings of the Federal Government from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through ways and means advances in the past six years has ballooned to a total of 15.51 trillion naira, going by the Debt Management Office Report as of March 2021;

Worried that within the first six months of 2022, the Federal Government has borrowed a total of 2.4 trillion naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria which is far above five percent of the Federal Government’s revenue for 2021, which stood at 3.9 trillion naira;

Also worried about the rising debt profile of the Federal Government of Nigeria according to the Debt Management Office, which stands at 33.11 trillion naira as of March 2021, excluding the 15.51 trillion naira debt of the Federal Government to the Central Bank of Nigeria;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately remove Mr. Godwin Emefiele from office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for violating the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007;

(ii) also urge the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to immediately prosecute Mr. Godwin Emefiele for violating the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007;

(iii) mandate the Committee on Banking and Currency to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House
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Adjournment:
The House at 13: 43 Pm adjourned plenary till Thursday, June 16th, 2022 by 11: 00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Samuel Adejare

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