Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:46am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Uche Ekwunife moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 16th March, 2022.
Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe seconded.
PETITION
Senator George Sekibo submitted a petition from one of the communities that made up his Senatorial District over a land dispute.
Petition was laid and referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in two weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
1. Senator Sabi Abdullahi cited Order 42 to inform the Senate on bandit attack in his Senatorial District.
“Let me just add that base on the last couple of Motions you brought here, alerting the security agencies to the challenges in your State and having indicated the route that these bandits have perfected to carry out these attacks, one would have thought that the security agencies will actually do a better job in quarantining that environment…We will continue to encourage the security agencies to police as much of our territory.” – Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives to bandits.
2. Senator George Sekibo cited Order 10 and 11 to make reference to the ruling of an Abia State High Court ordering the deletion of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act over which the Senate had taken a decision recently.
Senate resolved that the motion be deferred to the next legislative day.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
1. Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1429) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1429) was read the First Time.
2. Federal Capital Territory Abuja Area Courts Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 67) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal Capital Territory Abuja Area Courts Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 67) was read the First Time.
3. National Environmental Standards and REGULATIONS Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 by Senator Clifford Ordia
National Environmental Standards and REGULATIONS Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was read the First Time.
4. Army Colour (Prohibition Use) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 924) by Senator Uche Ekwunife
Army Colour (Prohibition Use) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 924) was read the First Time.
5. Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act 2017 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 958) by Senator Uba Sani
Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act 2017 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 958) was read the First Time.
MOTION FOR RE-COMMITAL
1. Re-Committal of some Clauses of the National Agricultural Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 to the Committee of the Whole by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate resolved to rescind its decision on the affected Clauses as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for re-consideration and passage.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the National Agricultural Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 and approved Clause 2-12 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
National Agricultural Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the facilitation and co-ordination of public infrastructure development to ensure that infrastructure development in the country is given priority in planning approval and implementation; to ensure that the development goals of the Country are promoted through infrastructure development to broaden the scope of funding for infrastructural development and to improve the management of such infrastructure during all life-cycle phases, including planning, approval, implementation and operations; and to provide for matters incidental thereto, 2022 (SB. 919) by Senator Sadiq Umar
“I rise to second the Second reading of this Bill which is a very important Bill. We must have establishment that will enable us to know who to hold accountable on issues of maintaining general infrastructures that are being built by the government.” – Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah
“I rise to support this Bill by our colleague. In this country, we have a lot of Ministries and Agencies that are involved in infrastructure development but there is no synergy between these agencies. The importance of this Bill is to establish the National Infrastructure Development Commission so there will be collaboration.” – Senator Bima Enagi
“I rise to lend my voice in support that This Bill be read the second time. The problem that we have in this country is not new…I support the contributions of my colleagues here that this legal framework is very important because we now know who to hold accountable when it comes to issue of infrastructure. This Bill must be given all the support that it deserves.” – Senator Gabriel Suswam
“This is another attempt to put another bleed on national resources. I oppose it and I oppose it clearly.” – Senator Chimaroke Nnamani
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to amend the Provisions of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act Cap N117 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1004 to make provisions for Protection of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises from unfair competition and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 291) by Senator Uche Ekwunife
“I want to second and support that this Bill be read the second time. In doing so, let me commend Senator Uche Ekwunife for this timely intervention. I want to say that obviously if we don’t put our house in order, definitely Nigeria will become a dumping ground not just for the international arena, but even within our own continental Africa. And I think it is time, given the huge resources we have that we begin to put our house in order through instrument like this. Amending this Promotion Act will help address some of these issues. Nigerians should be empowered to take advantage rather than to be disadvantaged.” – Senator Sabi Abdullahi
“I stand to support this Bill. We are all aware that the foundation of every economy, particularly the Third World is based and moved by the SMEs. And we need to protect them from unfair competition. We need to protect them so that they cannot be killed because once you kill SMEs, you kill the economy of Nigeria. Our laws should be tailored in a manner that will create protection for them.” – Senator Barau Jibrin
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Trade and Investment to report back within four weeks.
3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Quarantine Act CAP Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Enact the National Health Emergency Act, to make provisions for regulating and preventing the introduction into and spread in Nigeria of dangerous infectious diseases and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 413) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi
“In view of the challenges we face, it is important that we strengthen our system to conform with civilized standard. In doing so, this is one intervention that point to that effect.” – Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases to report back within four weeks.
MOTION
1. Urgent need to check the alarming trend of inhuman treatment and torture of Nigerian Citizens by Foreign Nationals in the country by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo
“There are several of this cases but they are never reported because of fear of further victimization. I on this note second the motion.” – Senator Isah Jibrin
Senate resolved to
i. Roundly condemn in the strongest of terms the dastardly acts committed against the victims, as this is seen as the height of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man;
ii. Call on the Inspector General of Police to commence thorough investigations into the wicked acts of the said Lebanese in question, his dog and similar infractions by other foreign nationals, acting by themselves or in collusion with Nigerians or members of the Nigeria Police Force. Upon conclusion of investigations, those found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with our laws to serve as a deterrent to others; and
iii. Urge the Ministry of Labour and related MDAs to take adequate steps to address the labour-related issues in respect of this case and other similar ones to ensure that the rising trend of this nature of crime and criminality is curbed; and
iv. The Committee on Police Affairs should follow up on this case and report to the Senate periodically on the progress and the final result.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that Senate do stand down other items on the Order Paper till another legislative day.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022.
#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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