Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

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 for Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENT

1. Alh. Salihu Mustapha who is an aspirant for the position of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) National Chairman seeks an audience with APC caucus members of the House of Representatives today, Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 by 3.00 p.m. at Conference Room 028 of the New Building, House of Representatives
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PETITION

1. Rep. Kingsley Chinda laid a petition on behalf of a complaining community against the Nigerian Navy on the encroachment of community land in Rivers state. The community craved the intervention of the House in resolving the issue.

The petition was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions.

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MATTER OF PRIVILEGE

1. Rep. Sada Soli rose on a matter of privilege on a matter concerning the judgement of a High court on the order to delete Clause 84(12) amended by the National Assembly in the passage of the Electoral Act. Rep. Soli termed the judgement as an affront on the principle of separation of powers that recognizes the Legislature as a separate arm of government, as well as a clear infringement of the privilege of the Parliament. He quoted relevant Sections of the law to corroborated the fact that the Courts cannot override decisions that Parliament has in its jurisdiction to make and amend laws.

Rep. Ndudi Elumelu who had also earlier signalled an intention to raise the same issue expressed with dismay how the Courts acted in contradiction of Section 66(1f) and other relevant sections of the Constitution that deal with the contentious issues surrounding the issue of public/civil servants seeking elective positions which the House sought to uphold. He further wondered why the Courts will want to enforce what was an infringement of the fundamentals of separation of powers of government.

Rep. Ibrahim Olanrewaju in his submission called for affirmative action to ensure the decision of the Court is rescinded by appealing the judgment. He also called on the National Assembly to petition the National Judiciary Council (NJI) to ensure this abnormality is corrected.

Rep. Herman Hembe wondered why the issue could not be ironed out amicably by the Parliament and the Judiciary who are partners in Lawmaking and Interpretation respectively without making it look like there is a rift between the three arms of government. He warned on the danger of public officers who hold the office in trust to use the powers of the law to usurp the laws for personal gains. He noted that this has the potential of hurting the political process and structures in return.

Rep. Mohammed Monguno called for the enforcement of national justice as the National Assembly is vested with the powers to make Laws, and it is therefore sad when the courts who are guardians of Law are being used to perpetrate illegality. He called on the legislature to appeal the judgement so that it can be set aside.

Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa bemoaned the type of judgements by courts in recent times that have made the judiciary look shady. He called on the judiciary to respect the institutions of Law and hence respect the constitutional responsibility of the Legislature and not seek to shortchange the National Assembly which is constitutionally empowered to make Laws. He stressed the fact that the National Assembly only sought to address the lacunae in the Constitution to guide the process for public/civil servants seeking elective positions before elections. He called on the courts to allow the legislature to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila expressed his shock when he read the judgement on the dailies while noting that the House of Representatives was not served with a notification of the court proceedings. He also expressed his admiration of President Muhammed Buhari’s reliance on legal advice given to him, before taking action. He however stressed that as the Speaker of the House, he will not allow the House he was empowered to lead to be ridiculed under his watch. Rep. Gbajabiamila stated that the House, in passing the Electoral Act was simply deepening democracy. While he described as curious the fact that the National Assembly was not joined as a party in the suit, the Speaker wondered why the plaintiff who was in no way affected by the decision of the House took the step to challenge the amendment. According to him, that move made the plaintiff nothing more than a meddlesome interloper. The Speaker frowned most especially at the attempt to usurp the powers of the Legislature in carrying out its constitutional roles of Lawmaking. Rep. Gbajabiamila strongly called for the appeal of the judgement, and for it to be set aside for posterity, records and history so that it does not become a precedent. He further appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation to tarry in carrying out the order of the court so that the constitutional rights of appeal can be explored and dealt with before it can become a settled Law. He, therefore, converted the matter of privilege into a motion. The first prayer is to ask the Attorney General of the Federation to tarry in the execution of the judgement and the second prayer is for the House to petition the National Judiciary Council to ensure the abnormality is corrected.

The motion was then voted on and adopted.
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MATTER OF PERSONAL EXPLANATION

1. The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa rose under personal explanation to brief the House on his interactions with the aggrieved women and civil society organizations at the entrance of the National Assembly on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022. The women have continued to protest the direction the votes on three women-related clauses of the constitution amendment went. He explained to the protesting women and assured them that indeed they have a gender-friendly House of Representatives who will ensure their concerns are met. The women he stated applauded what they know is cognizant efforts of the House of Representatives to be indeed gender-friendly and therefore agreed to suspend the protest following the commitment and assurance of the House to deal with the issue within seven legislative days.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila assured women that the clauses will be taken with the other clauses to be amended soon. Rep. Gbajabiamila called for a meeting with the representatives of the women so that a proper timeline can be fixed assuredly.

Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who is the Deputy Whip of the House on behalf of the women thanked the Speaker for the sensitivity shown by the leadership of the 9th House of Representatives concerning gender issues. She assured that the women will get the message from the House. She also assured of the cooperation of the women to ensure future issues of contention are dealt with amicably.
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PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Eka-Midim, Akwa-Ibom State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1916) (Rep. Aniekan Umana) – First Reading.

2. Federal College of Education (Technical) Ile-Ife, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1917) (Rep. Ajilesoro Abimbola Taofeek) – First Reading.

3. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1918) (Rep. Olumide Babatunde Osoba) – First Reading.

4. Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1919) (Rep. Olumide Babatunde Osoba) – First Reading.

5. Federal College of Creative Arts and Innovative Enterprise, Yenagoa (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1920) (Rep. Steve Azaiki) – First Reading.

6. Electric Pensioner Verification Bill, 2022 (HB. 1921) (Rep. Chinedu Emeka Martins) – First Reading.

7. National Youth Service Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1922) (Rep. Kayode Moshood Akinolu) – First Reading.

8. National Institute for Temperate Crop Research and Development, Obanliku (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1923) (Rep. Ochiglegor Idagbo) – First Reading.

9. Nationwide Industrialization, Manufacturing, Processing and Related Industries Bill, 2022 (HB. 1924) (Rep. Ochiglegor Idagbo) – First Reading.

10. Federal University of Environmental Technology Saakpenwa, Ogoni (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1925) (Senate) – First Reading.

11. Federal Capital Territory University, Abaji (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1926) (Senate) – First Reading.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Education, Numan, Adamawa State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1799) (Senate)(Leader) – Second Reading

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

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

2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University, Wukari and to make Comprehensive Provisions for Its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters (HBs. 1719 &1845) (Leader and Rep. Mohamed Tahir Monguno) – Second Reading.

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

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

3. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Industrial Centre for the Manufacture, Exhibition and Sale of Furniture and other Timber Products, Ifetedo, Ife South, Osun State; and for Related Matters (HB.1684) (Rep. Ajiesoro Taofeek Abimbola) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Ajilesoro Akimbola moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Taiwo Oluga.

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

4. A Bill for an Act to Establish Port-Area Development Commission charged with the responsibility to manage the Ecological and Environmental Menace from the Operations of Ports; and for Related Matters (HB. 1664) (Rep. Mufutau Adewale Egberongbe) – Second Reading.

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

5. A Bill for an Act to Establish Niger Delta Institute of Technology and Skills Acquisition Beeri, Rivers State and make Comprehensive Provisions for Management, Administration and Detailed Identification of Areas in Technology, Skills Acquisition; and for Related Matters (HB.1807) (Rep. Deko Dumnamene) – Second Reading.

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

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Science Research Institutions.
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MOTIONS
6. Need to Construct 33/11KVA Injection Sub-station at Igbo-Ora in Ibarapa Central Local government Area and 33/11KVA Injection Sub-station at Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State:
Rep. Muraina. S. Ajibola:

The House:

Notes that Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State is a semi-urban area which serves as the food basket of Oyo state;

Also notes that in 2005, the Federal Government adopted the rural electrification policy with the aim of increasing electricity to 90% for rural areas in Nigeria by 2030;

Further notes that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company is responsible for the supply and distribution of electricity to Ibarapa in Oyo State;

Aware that access to electricity facilitates sustainable economy and social growth in rural or semi-urban areas;

Concerned that the electricity supply in the entire Ibarapa land has been epileptic due to poor electrical installations, prompting the people to migrate to the city as a result of the consequent decline socioeconomic activities and access to basic facilities;

Cognizant of the need to construct a 33/11 KVA injection Sub-station each at Igbo-Ora and Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State to facilitate electricity supply and enhance socio-economic activities in the area;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Government and the relevant agencies to construct 33/11 KVA injection Sub-station at Igbo-Ora in Ibarapa Central Local Government and 33/11 KVA injection Sub-station at Igangan all in Ibarapa axis of Oyo state;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Appropriations, Finance and Power to include the construction of 33/11kva injection Sub-Station at Igbo-Ora, in Ibarapa Central Local Government and 33/11 KV A injection Sub-station at Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State in the 2023 Budget estimates; and

(iii) also mandate the Committees on Appropriations, Finance, Power and Legislative Compliance to liaise with the Budget Office of the Federation, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Power to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Muraina Ajibola moved the motion on the need to construct 33/11KVA injection sub-station at Igbo-Ora in Ibarapa Central Local Government area and 33/11KVA injection sub-station at Igangan in Ibarapa North local government area of Oyo state and it was seconded by Rep. Abdullahi Hallims.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

7. Call to Investigate the Imposition of Multiple Processing and/or Administration Fees by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its Accredited Agents on JAMB Examination Candidates:
Rep. Sergius Ose Ogun:

The House:

Notes that Section 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;

Also notes that pursuant to Section 5(1)(a) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board Act, the Board was established to, among other things, control the conduct of matriculation examinations for candidates seeking admission into Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria;

Aware that in recent times, in addition to the registration fees for the examination, all sorts of processing and/or administrative fees are imposed on JAMB examination candidates;

Informed that for every other service, apart from the JAMB Registration provided in relation to the examination, an administrative fee is imposed by JAMB, which does not include the CBT Centre Service Charge collected by JAMB accredited CBT Centers and some of the charges are as follows:

S/N
Services
Fees N
1.
Application for Transfer
7,000
2.
Change of Admission Letter with Registration Number
5,000
3.
Application for correction of data (like date of birth, etc)
2,500
4.
Printing of JAMB Result Slip
1,000
5.
Printing of JAMB Admission Letter
1,000
6.
Change of Institution/Course
2,500
7.
Retrieving of JAMB Registration Number
1,000

Cognizant that by the provisions of the Act, JAMB is an examination conducting body and not primarily a revenue-generating organ of the Federal Government;

Worried that JAMB Candidates who are not privileged to afford the charges/fees suffer undue hardships and ultimately lose out from taking the examination;

Also worried that a majority of the candidates dwell in villages, often without CBT accredited Centres and as such, would have to travel long distances and incur additional transportation costs in order to register for the examination or carry out a JAMB related service offered only in a CBT Centre;

Resolves to:

Mandate the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to investigate the multiple processing and/or administrative fees imposed by JAMB and its accredited agents on JAMB candidates and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

Debate
Rep. Sergius Ogun moved the motion on the need to investigate the imposition of multiple processing and/or administration fees by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its accredited examination candidates and it was seconded by Rep. Victor Mela.

Rep. Zannah proposed an amendment to add the House Committee on Basic Education to the investigation to be handled.

The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.

8. Urgent Need to Repair the 15 kilometers Ajagba/Salawa/Akotogba Road, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State:
Rep. Gboluga Dele Ikengboju:

The House:

Notes that the only route that connects Ajagba, Salawa and Akotogbo community in Irele Local Government area of Ondo State to Ovia-River Bridge Edo State is in a deplorable state of disrepair;

Concerned that the bridge on the road was constructed in the 1950s but due to the recent flooding and the peculiar terrain of the area, the Salawa/Akotogbo axis of the road has developed a sinkhole, and a portion of the road has been totally cutoff, making the entire communities inaccessible;

Worried that students and people in Ajagba, Salaw, Akotogbo and other adjoining communities with about 250,000 population have been denied access to schools, commerce, healthcare services and other social amenities as a result of the deplorable condition of the road, which is the only road that links the entire communities;

Cognizant that if steps are not taken to reconnect the inter-state road linking Ovia river bridge of Edo State and the adjoining communities in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, socioeconomic activities and access to basic necessities will become impossible in the affected areas;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence immediate repairs and reconstruction of the road to reconnect the people of Ajagba-Salawa-Akotogbo in Irele Local Government to the larger community;

(ii) mandate the Committees on Works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure compliance.

Debate
Rep. Gboluga Ikengboju moved the motion on the urgent need to repair the 15 kilometers Ajagba/Salawa/Akotogba road, Irele local government area of Ondo state and it was seconded by Rep. Abdulganiyu Johnson.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

9. Urgent Need to Address the Violation of Human Rights and Unfair Treatment of Nigerians In Indonesia:
Rep. Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu:

The House:

Notes that Indonesia is a signatory to the United Nation’s Universal Declaration on Human Rights of 1948, which advocates for the protection of the fundamental rights and freedom of every human being;

Concerned that despite various reports of the heavy-handedness of Indonesian security and law enforcement officers towards Nigerians that have led to allegations of illegal arrests, detention, tortures, extortions, and other unreported fundamental human rights breaches, nothing has been done to reverse this unfortunate and unsavory trend;

Aggrieved about the recently reported death of Late Arinze Igweike on March 14, 2022, a bright and promising native of Onitsha, who was allegedly arrested in Jakarta by Indonesian Immigration Police for unidentified offences and eventually died in Police custody without any proceedings being brought against him;

Also notes that in July 2020 another Nigerian, identified as Chukwueze died after he was allegedly arrested, extorted and tortured by Indonesian Immigration Officials, thereafter resulting in massive protests at the Nigeria Embassy in Jakarta against discrimination and targeted raids by Indonesian Officers;

Further notes that in August 2021, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the assault of a Nigerian diplomat by Immigration Officials in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the diplomat was manhandled and arrested in front of his official quarters, a disgraceful action that is clearly against International Law and the Vienna Conventions governing Diplomatic and Consular Relations between States;

Cognizant of the urgent need to address the heavy-handedness and inhuman treatment meted on Nigerians by the Indonesian Authorities, before more Nigerians lose their lives, as this will undoubtedly strain the relationship between the Nigerian and Indonesian Government if not addressed;

Resolves to:

Mandate the Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to investigate the allegations of heavy-handedness and inhuman treatment of Late Arinze Igweike, and other Nigerians by Indonesian Officers, and report back within four (4) weeks.

Debate
Rep. Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu moved the motion on the urgent need to address the violation of human rights and unfair treatment of Nigerians In Indonesia and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Kani.

Rep. Nkem Abonta called for seriousness in investigating the issue. He also proposed an amendment to join the House Committee on Human rights, as well as other relevant Committees of the House to the investigation.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu stressed the need to thoroughly investigate and correct the undemocratic, inhuman high-handedness and gross violation for human rights always perpetrated by the Indonesian authorities. 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 chaired:

10. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Act, Cap. M3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Establish University of Maritime Studies, Oron; and for Related Matters (HB. 1595) (Senate) – (Committee of the Whole: 9/3/2022).

Consideration of the Bill stepped down for proper legislative input and to ensure non-conflict of the purpose of the Bill.

11. Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream)
Rep. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) on the Need to Investigate the Importation and Distribution of Adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria and approve the recommendations therein” (HR.47/02/2022) (Laid: 16/3/2022).

(i) that the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources shall initiate the adoption of 2017 PMS Standard (NIS 116:2017) as approved by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) for future importation of the product into the country;

(ii) that the Minister of Petroleum Resources should expedite action for completion of the rehabilitation work of the three (3) major refineries at Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna to boost local refining and reduce over-dependence on imported PMS into Nigeria;

(iii) that the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shall procure tracking devices to monitor the movement of trucks from all deports to their destinations across the country. This will mitigate smuggling and will make the product available for domestic use;

(iv) that the Federal Government shall position the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to implement its mandate to the latter by subjecting all imported white Petroleum and other products to the Offshore conformity assessment and also resume routine quality control of them and other products imported into the country at our various Seaports, Airports and Borders throughout Nigeria as enshrined in the Standards Organization of Nigeria enabling Act of 2015. This will finally address the reoccurrence of the importation of off-specification PMS and other substandard goods into Nigeria;

(v) that the Federal Government is to note that the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) mandate is also specifically enshrined under item 62 (d) Part I of the Second Schedule (Exclusive List) to the 1999 Constitution;

(vi) that the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shall double PMS National Reserve to at least 90 days and build depots across the Six (6) geopolitical zones to make products available for domestic use and avoid future PMS shortage/scarcity across the country;

(vii) that the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) Ltd shall maintain local supply and distribution of 90 Million liters daily across the country until normalcy is restored.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Alex Egbona stated that the Committee deliberated on the matter for over a month and grilled the relevant stakeholders and government officials. It was then found out that the fault was due to some major problems within the petroleum industry and due apologies were made to Nigerians for all inconveniences suffered.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu called for a demystification of the problems that led to the importation of adulterated PMS so that such problems can be solved once and for all, as mere apologies cannot replace the losses suffered by Nigerians. He called for the recommendations of the investigation to be seen to meet the concerns of Nigerians and for the problem caused by the importation of the adulterated PMS should be highlighted in the report in a point-by-point manner.
Rep. Ajibola Muraina also reiterated this point.

Rep. Nkem Abonta further called for the appropriation of responsibility for those culpable and also for naming/shaming.

Rep. Ndudi Elumelu called for the up-to-date status of the refineries to be rehabilitated.

Rep. Abdulganiyu Johnson called for the proper capturing of all refineries for rehabilitation.

Rep. Mustapha Aliyu as a member of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) assured members that the Committee has noted all concerns of members and will do the needful.

Rep. Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu called for the demystification of the point at which the product was adulterated, if it was at the point of importation, or whether it was done within the country.

Rep. Ajibola Muraina and Rep. Mohammed Monguno wondered why the company already indicted by a submission of the NNPC was not mentioned in the report for sanctioning.

Rep. Alex Egbona in exercising his right of reply clarified that NNPC did not indict the said company.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Rep. Ahmed Idris called on the Committee to take the concerns by members seriously and conduct a more thorough investigation that will please Nigerians and restore confidence in the process of governance.

Further consideration of the report was then deferred by leave of the House for further legislative input.
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HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the committee of the whole following a motion by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason.
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Adjournment:
The House at 14:15 adjourned plenary till Thursday, March 24th, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason.

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