Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presiding.

After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Deputy Speaker examined and approved the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, May 18th, 2021

PETITIONS

Rep. Ibrahim Obanikoro laid a petition on pension matter by a constituent

MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Rep Sani Bala moved a motion of urgent public importance on the failure of aircrafts, citing recent incidents in Abuja, Port Harcourt.

The motion was seconded by Rep. Leke Abejide

Debate:

Rep. Bala raised concern over negligence on the part of the management of airlines in the country

In his contribution, Rep. Abdulrazaq Namdas noted that events have shown that it is time for those responsible for aircraft maintenance to be responsible for their duties.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

The following Bills were presented for first reading

1. Fiscal Responsibility Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1338) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
2. Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1339) (Hon. Yusuf Adamu
Gagdi) – First Reading.

3. Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill, 2021(HB. 1340) (Hon. Adekoya A. Abdul-
Majid) – First Reading.

4. North-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1341) (Hon. Mansur Manu
Soro) – First Reading.
5. Federal Medical Centre, Mubi (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1342) (Senate) – First Reading.
6. Nigeria Steel University, Ajaokuta Bill, 2021(HB. 1343) (Senate) – First Reading.

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7. Federal University of Education, Ankpa (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2021(HB. 1344) (Senate) – First
Reading.
8. Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB.
1345) (Hon. Miriam O. Onuoha) – First Reading.
9. Federal Character Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1346) (Hon. Miriam O. Onuoha)
– First Reading.
10. Federal Roads Safety Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1347) (Hon. Miriam O.
Onuoha) – First Reading.
11. Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1348) (Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo) – First
Reading.
12. Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1349) (Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo)
– First Reading.
13. National Assembly Hospital Abuja (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1350) (Hon. Robert A. Tyough)
– First Reading.
14. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1351) (Hon.
Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewumg) – First Reading.
15. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1352) (Hon.
Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum) – First Reading.
16. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1356) (Hon. Garba
Datti Mohammed) – First Reading.
17. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1357) (Hon. Garba
Datti Mohammed) – First Reading.
18. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1358) (Hon. O. K.
Chinda) – First Reading.
19. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1359) (Hon. O. K.
Chinda) – First Reading.

20. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1362) (Hon. Awaji-
Inombek Abiante) – First Reading.

21. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1363) (Hon. Ossai
Nicholas. Ossai) – First Reading.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

The following Reports were laid on behalf of the Chairman, Public Petitions Committee, Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso

1. Committee on Public Petitions: Petitions by Barr Mrs P. Okereke on Behalf of Petroleum Depot Owners Association: Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso:

“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by Barr Mrs. P. Okereke on behalf of Petroleum Depot Owners Association against the Nigerian Ports Authority and Port Manager, Apapa Port, Lagos for Intervention to stop the Management of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) from granting Lease for the only Land Waziri Letty that can be used to House Fire Safety Equipment to Safeguard Lives at Volatile Petroleum Products Operating Tank Farm Axis and Three Other Uses” (Referred:17/3/2021).

Committee on Public Petitions: Petitions by the Centre for Social and Economic Right (CSER): Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso:

“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the petition by the Centre for Social and Economic Right (CSER) against ZHE Long Investment LTD. (ZL) for Unwholesome Practices Detrimental to National Economy and Security” (Referred: 9/1/2021).

ORDERS OF THE DAY BILLS

1. Leader of the House, Rep Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State to make Comprehensive Provisions for Its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters (HB.652)

Bill was read for the third time by the Clerk and passed.

2. Leader of the House, Rep Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Veterinary Surgeons Act, Cap. V3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Veterinary Surgeons Bill, and for Related Matters (HB.70).

Bill was read for the third time by the Clerk and passed.

3. Leader of the House, Rep Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Medical Centres; and for Related Matters (HB. 182).

Bill was read for the third time and passed

4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board Act, Cap. O10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for Establishment of Orthopedic Hospitals, Benin, Edo State and Jalingo, Taraba State; and for Related Matters, 2020 (HB. 1284)

5. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria for Effective Regulation, Registration of Members and Determination of what Standard Knowledge and Skills to be Attained by Persons seeking to become Registered Members and Qualify to Practice as Forensic and Investigative Professionals; and for Related Matters (HB. 791) – Third Reading.

Bill was read for the third time and passed

6. A Bill for an Act to Establish Specific Requirements to Ensure Procurement Integrity in Federal Contract Activities; and for Related Matters (HB. 772) (Hon. Nasiru Zangon Daura.).

Bill was stepped down

7. Rep. Alex Egbona moved for the second reading of A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Development Studies and Administration of Nigeria charged with Responsibility to Advance the Study, Training and Determining the Standards of Knowledge and Skills to be Attained by Persons seeking to become Registered Members of the Institute; and for Related Matters (HB. 966)

Bill was voted and passed.

8. Rep. Onofiok Luke moved for the second reading of A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for quick Dispensation of Justice and Completion of Criminal Matters being tried by a Judge of a High Court before his elevation to the Court of Appeal; and for Related Matters (HB. 841)

Rep Olukemi Oluga seconded the motion

Debate:
Rep Onofik said the Bill seeks to quicken justice dispensation for criminal cases following movements of judges from the High Courts to the Court of Appeal
According to him, cases often get stuck because of the movement of judges to the appellate court from High Courts.

However, lawmakers opposed to the Bill argued that the proposal might create more problems from what it seeks to cure.

Rep. Abdulrazaq Namdas opined that giving a promoted judge a period of time to clear his table before taking over at the appellate court would ensure that the affected promoted judge would not have to come back and sit on a case at the lower court again.

While Nkem-Abonta shared the same view, noting that judges are also human and could be influenced by a number of reasons, Rep. Magaji Dau Aliyu proposed that a Committee of lawyers in the House could be set up to comprehensively scrutinize the Bill and advise the House appropriately on the next step to take concerning the Bill.

Bill was put to a voice vote and passed.

Bill referred to the Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution.

MOTIONS

9. Construction of a Bridge to Link Ishasi, Lagos State to Igbesa Community in Ogun State to Maximize the Potentials of Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone:

Hon. Jimoh Olusola Ojugbele:

The House: Notes that Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone, situated in Igbesa, a major town in Ogun State was one of the eight foreign free trade zones established to strengthen trade relations between Nigeria and China, following the China-Africa Summit, held in Beijing in 2005;

Also notes that the total landmass of Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone is 10,000 hectares, with a primary focus on manufacturing and processing industries aimed at boosting economic development of Nigeria through industrial capacity building, job creation, poverty alleviation, and local patronage; Aware that the start-up phase of the Free Trade Zone, Igbesa has been completed and it is in operation, generating an average output value of over 234 million US dollars per annum which has exceeded 2 billion dollars in total investment and directly employs over 6,000 people from the local community, making it one of the fast-growing industrial and real estate hubs in Ogun State; Worried that the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa which is 55km from Apapa Seaport and 50km from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, lacks quality access road with resultant losses in time and materials as well as frustrating the ability of the free trade zone to fully maximize its potentials. Resolves to: (i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to, through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Arrangement, facilitate the construction of a bridge to link Ishasi in Lagos State to Iteku Enroute Igbesa in Ogun State; (ii) mandate the Committee on Works to ensure implementation.

Motion stepped down.

10. Need to Investigate the Operations of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Record-Keeping of Births and Deaths in Nigeria:

Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau:

The House: Notes that the National Population Commission was established to control, manage and produce an accurate database of information of citizens but records of births and deaths from various health institutions for efficient and effective use for national planning have not been achieved; Also notes that in 2017 the Commissions’ budget was N9,499,419,457 while in 2018 the sum of N10,336,046,852 was appropriated and in 2019 the sum of N9,151,387,430 was approved for the Commission to effectively delivered its mandate;

Further notes that despite the allocations from the government, the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja and the Six Zonal offices at Lagos, Kano, Port–Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja and Kaduna are currently in deplorable conditions lacking modern I.C.T equipment such as software and hardware computers, laptops and constant light to carry out their operations;

Aware that the “UNICEF Report on Every Child Alive Campaign” shows that about 1 million newborn babies die daily globally, 2.5 million die in one month after birth, representing 47% in Nigeria while, 262,000 babies die at birth and 257 babies die a month after birth from preventable causes such as premature birth complications during delivery and infections like sepsis and pneumonia a development that constitutes, a violation of the basic right to survival in the society;

Concerned that in 2019, childbirth was 37.684 by 1000 people which represents 1.09% decline from 2018 while the childbirth rate for 2018 was 38.098 births per 1000 people which represents a 1.25% decline from 2017. The childbirth rate in 2017 was 38.582 births per 1000 people at 1.24% decline from 2016 across the nation; Informed that the average birth rate was 18.5 birth per 1000 total population in 2016, while the death rate is 7.8% per 1000 yearly, whereas UNICEF Report on 1 January 2019 showed that an estimated 25.68 babies were expected to have been delivered in that same January of 2019;

Cognizant of the need for government intervention to curb the inability of the National Population Commission to produce an accurate database for effective planning in Nigeria;

Resolves to: (i) Urge the National Population Commission to urgently commence registration of births and deaths of newborn babies in various health institutions in Nigeria;

(ii) invite the Chairman and Zonal Coordinators from the six geo-political zones for an interface on the record-keeping of births and deaths in Nigeria for effective economic planning;

(iii) Set up an Ad – hoc Committee to investigate the reason why the Commission cannot provide comprehensive database information of births and deaths annually to enable the government plan effectively and report back within two (2) weeks for further legislative action.

Motion stepped down.

11. Rep. Miriam Onuoha moved a motion on the Need to Investigate the Alleged Violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Private Airline Operators.
The motion was seconded by Rep. Aisha Duku.

Debate:

The House: Notes the high rate of discrimination and harassment of persons living with disabilities by Airlines is becoming alarming and is telling bad on the image of the country and it is a known fact that Nigerian citizens living with disabilities constitute “one of the poorest socially excluded and marginalized groups Nigeria;

Also notes that, among the major notable provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities’ Prohibition Act, 2018 are sections 1 and 14 which prohibits any form of discrimination against persons with disabilities;

Further notes that in a world where everyone seeks equal opportunity, irrespective of status, it is disheartening that two years after the enactment of the Act, persons with disabilities are still being treated with disdain and discriminated against by the airline regulator and some operators/carriers;

Cognizance of the fact that disability itself is a burden with its attendant consequences on persons with disabilities, hence the actions of the herein mentioned airline is like punishing the Person twice, which can be described as double jeopardy;

Informed of the claims by one Dr. Chike Okogwu who is living with disability, that on December 21, 2020 Dana Air barred him from boarding its aircraft after he had obtained a boarding pass, on the ground that “a new policy forbids carrying passengers with wheelchairs”;

Desirous of ensuring that the rights of persons living with disability are not infringed owing to their vulnerabilities;

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the relevant agencies to provide functional disability desks to ease the sufferings of persons living with disability at all airports in Nigeria.

(ii) also urge Airline Operators in collaboration with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to provide relevant assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the airports.

(iii) mandate the Committee on Disabilities to investigate the allegation of the discrimination against persons with disabilities, with particular reference to the allegation of Dr. Chike Okogwu against Dana Airline and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

Rep. Olukemi Oluga proposed an amendment the investigation period be reduced to two weeks.

Amendment voted and adopted.

Motion was put to voted and adopted as amended.

12. Need to Reconstruct the 45km Road in Kwaturu-Angwan Rimi-Kafanchan, Kaduna State:

Hon. Salah Gabriel Zock:

The House: Notes that the deplorable condition of Kwaturu–Angwan Rimi–Kafanchan, which is destroying lives and properties;

Also notes that road connects about five (5) major communities whose occupation are predominantly farming producing cash crops such as rice, ginger, and other agricultural products for local consumption and export;

Aware that the road has suffered the worst form of neglect in the history of roads construction, maintenance and rehabilitation in the Constituency;

Concerned that with the deep potholes on the road it has become a death trap for innocent commuters and residents of the communities and has become a breeding ground for armed robbers;

Also concerned that there has been a high shortfall in farming activities as farmers and consumers trying to tap into the wealth of those communities either fall victims to armed robbery, kidnapping, or fatal accidents.

Resolves to: (i) Urge the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Works and Housing to commence the rehabilitation of the road to avoid further deaths;

(ii) also urge the Ministry of Works and Housing to take measures on the road to ease the movement of vehicles, persons and goods;

(iii) mandate the Committees on Works and Agricultural Production and Services to ensure compliance.

Motion stepped down.

13. Rep. Mzondu Benjamin Bem moved a motion on the Need to Investigate the Status of the Contract Awarded to Railway Track Network Eastern Line, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

Debate:

The House: Notes that Messrs Esser Contracting and Industry Company (Turkey), CGGC Global Projects Nigeria Limited and Lingo Nigeria Limited (in association with Strasky Husty and Partners Ltd of Czech Republic were in 2011 awarded contract to rehabilitate the 1443km Port Harcourt–Maiduguri section of the eastern railway line for about N72. 34billion;

Also notes that ten (10) years after the award of the contract, there is no evidence to show that work has commenced on the site, with investigations revealing that budgetary provisions were made in this regard from 2010–2012;

Concerned that despite the said budgetary provisions, there are claims that the contract awarded to Esser Contracting Industry Company for the rehabilitation of the railway segment from Port Harcourt to Makurdi was abandoned by the contractor, and the contract, recently re-awarded to another company;

Disturbed that award of contracts under the Public Procurement Act, 2017, abandonment of the project by Esser Contracting Industry Company, including evidence of budgetary provisions in lieu of the contract, suggests irregularities on parties involved, including similar concerns bordering on the remaining segments of the railway rehabilitation contract from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri;

Aware of the constitution of an Ad–hoc Committee by the House to investigate the N19.2 billion railway rehabilitation contract and desirous to ascertain the status of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri eastern railway rehabilitation contract awarded to the three (3) companies;

Resolves to:

Set up an Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the N19.2 billion railway rehabilitation contract awarded to Eser Contracting Industry Company Incorporated include the status of the entire contract awarded for the 1443km Port Harcourt–Maiduguri section of the eastern railway line for approximately N72. 34billion to Messrs Esser Contracting and Industry Company (Turkey), CGGC Global Projects Nigeria Limited and Lingo Nigeria Limited (in association with Strasky Husty and Partners Ltd of Czech Republic.

Motion was put to voted and passed.

Deputy Speaker ruled that referral of the motion would be done on Thursday after confirmation of the status of an ad hoc committee with a similar assignment.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

14. Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu moved for the consideration of 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).

Rep. Lawal Shetima Ali Yobe seconded the motion.

15. Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu moved for the consideration of 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).

Luke Onofiok seconded the motion.

16. Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai: moved for the consideration of Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements: “That the House do consider the Report on A Bill for an Act to Repeal Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act, Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact Treaties (making Procedure) Bill; and for Related Matters (HB. 1012) (Laid: 29/4/2021).

Rep. Abdulrazaq Namdas seconded the motion.

Committee of the Whole.

Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved the motion for the House to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the reports.

Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu seconded the motion.

14. Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu in his synopsis on the 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, said the school has been in existence for 30 years without laws.

According to him, the Bill was passed by the 8th National Assembly but was not signed into law.

All 51 clauses of the report were adopted.

15.Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu in his brief on the report of the 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 said the establishment of the school would aid the educational development of the country.

All 49 clauses of the report were adopted.

16.According to Rep. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, on the report of the Bill for an Act to Repeal Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act, Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact Treaties (making Procedure) Bill; and for Related Matters Extensive deliberation by stakeholders and agreed to all rue clauses. Being a Decree that takes no notice of three arms of government, all critical stakeholders met, deliberated and agreed on the clauses.

All 14 clauses of the report were adopted.

Majority Leader, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the House to revert to plenary and it was seconded by the Minority Whip, Rep. Gideon Gwani.

PLENARY

Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the adoption of the reports and it was seconded by Rep. Aisha Duku.

Presiding Officer put the question to vote and it was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

Majority Leader, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for adjournment and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Toby Okechukwu

House adjourned at 2.15 pm to Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 11 am

Courtesy

Media Unit, Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives