PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 7TH OCTOBER, 2021

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:30am.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Senator Ishaku Abbo moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings for Wednesday, 6th October, 2021.

Senator Oriolowo, Adelere Adeyemi seconded.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING

1. Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 721) by Senate Leader Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 721) was read the First Time.

2. Financial Reporting Council Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 824) by Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf

Financial Reporting Council Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 824) was read the First Time.

3. Federal Unity Schools (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 825) by Senator Bima, Muhammad Enagi

Federal Unity Schools (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 825) was read the First Time

4. Suppression of Piracy Bill, 2021 (SB. 827) by Senator Ibikunle Amosun

Suppression of Piracy Bill, 2021 (SB. 827) was read the First Time.

5. Institute of Border Studies, Kosubosu Baruten, Kwara State, Bill, 2021 (SB. 828) by Senator Sadiq Umar

Institute of Border Studies, Kosubosu Baruten, Kwara State, Bill, 2021 (SB. 828) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT

1. Report of the Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector

Confirmation of the Nomination of the following persons for Appointment as Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Directors for the Board of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority by Senator Sabo Mohammed.

Senator Sabo Mohammed moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector on the Confirmation of the Nomination of the following persons for Appointment as Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Directors for the Board of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority:

1. Idaere Gogo Ogan – Chairman

2. Farouk A. Ahmed – Chief Executive Officer

3. Abiodun A. Adeniji – Executive Director, Finance and Accounts

4. Ogbugo Ukoha – Executive Director, Distributions System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure

Senator Michael Nnachi seconded.

Senator Sabo Mohammed laid and presented the report.

“Yesterday, we confirmed the counterpart Commission which is part of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). I think it is very important for us to put on record that the synergy between the Executive and the Legislative arm is paying off in seeing that necessary step at galvanizing our economy particularly the oil and gas sector that is the mainstream of our economy is working very well. I have also had course to look at the quality of the nominees. They were done devoid of any bias but to ensure that the best is given to the oil and gas sector. So I think this should be noted to Nigerians to know that the country is ready for full utilization and optimization of the benefit in the oil and gas sector.” – Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru

“I rise to lend my support to the report as presented by the Committee Chairman. Like the last speaker has said, the nominees have shown adequate knowledge on the subject matter, the challenges and the way forward on their new assignment. I lend my support that this report be approved.” – Senator Aliyu Wamakko

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the nomination.

Senate in the Committee of the Whole considered the report of the Committee on the nominees.

Senate reverted to Plenary

Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved the nomination of:

1. Idaere Gogo Ogan as Chairman of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority;

2. Farouk A. Ahmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority;

3. Abiodun A. Adeniji as the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority; and

4. Ogbugo Ukoha as the Executive Director, Distributions System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

“

to the nominees that have just been confirmed. And like our colleague, Distinguished Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru said, this is one very important step taken by confirmation of these nominees, they are well primed and should be ready to start work immediately they are given appointment letters and time is of essence and this is an authority that will lay a foundation and therefore they need to work hard, they need to be selfless. What they do is going to impact very significantly on the reform of the p I in Nigeria. And in fact, when they work hard the foundation they could get it right and then of course any other development in the future will be on a very sound and strong and a very stable foundation. To do otherwise is not an option. This is a trust that this nation has bestowed on them so we wish them the best of luck in their tenure and I will urge them to work with their committees here in the national assembly because they need our oil and gas related Committees to be more effective. The Executive and Legislature will have to work together for an outcome that will be in the best interest for everyone. So it is not enough for them to go and forget about the National Assembly especially the Commit that will be given them a lot of legislative support and intervention.

to all of them.

MOTION

1. Joint Session of the National Assembly by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi

Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do proceed to the House of Representatives for a Joint Session to receive an Address by Mr. President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on the 2022 Appropriation Bill.

Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.

SENATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, led other members of the Executive into the Chamber at 12:08pm.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele took the prayer in Christian faith.

Hon. Maki Abubakar Yelleman took the prayer in Muslim faith.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his speech, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for maintaining the trajectory of presenting the annual budget estimates before the joint sitting of the National Assembly in good time to enable the assembly work on the bill.

“Mr. President, the members of the ninth National Assembly have kept to their promise of passing the annual Appropriation Bill before the end of the year to ensure that the Bill is signed into law before the beginning of the new year. The 2020, and 2021 Appropriation Bills were considered and passed before the end of each year. The Distinguished and Honorable members of the National Assembly remain committed to working on the 2022 Appropriation Bill and pass it before the end of this year.

“Mr President, let me congratulate the National Assembly and the Executive for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and assent to enact the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. The ninth National Assembly broke the jinx of the non-passage of the PIB over the years and Your Excellency, you have achieved the feat of assenting to the Bill. Let me also commend you for starting to implement the PIA immediately, with nominations of qualified Nigerians to serve on the Petroleum Down and Midstream Regulatory Authority and Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Commission.

“Mr President, the security of lives and property of Nigerians is still a challenge. The National Assembly is ever willing to work with the Executive arm of Government to continue to work for better security for our citizens. The recent changes in the leadership of the armed forces is a clear testimony of the collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive to overhaul the security architecture for better outcomes in our fight against the myriads of security challenges.” – President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, delivered his 2022 Budget Speech termed “Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability” before the joint session of the National Assembly.

President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of his presentation laid the 2022 Budget and took a bow.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila gave the vote of thanks.

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, exited the Chamber.

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Joint Session of the National Assembly be adjourned sine die.

Deputy House Leader, Hon. Peter Ohio Akpatason seconded.

SENATE PLENARY RESUMED 1:20PM

Adjournment

The Senate adjourned at 1:28pm to resume on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 10:00am prompt.