PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER, 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 10:46am.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Bello Mandiya moved for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Wednesday, 22nd September, 2021.

The motion was seconded by Senator Albert, Bassey Akpan.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Senate President Ahmad Lawan read two letters from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on:

1. Confirmation of Appointment of Engr. Muhammed Sani Babba as Commissioner representing Bauchi State in the Revenue Mobilsation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

2. Confirmation of Appointment of Commissioners at the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

i. Dr. Mrs Mojisola Yaya-Kolade –Ekiti State – South West

ii. Mrs. Anne Otelafu Odey – Cross River State – South-South

iii. Alh. Goni Ali Gujba – Yobe State – North East

iv. Dr. Louis Solomon Mandama – Adamawa State – North-East

v. Senator Anthony O. Agbo – Ebonyi State – South- East

PETITIONS
1. Senator Albert Bassey Akpan submitted a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency.

Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.

2. Senator Ayo Akinyelure submitted five petitions from the Office of the President of the Senate:

1. Petition from Engr. Emma Aghede against the Management of the National Assembly Service Commission on withdrawal and denial of his promotion Letter, 2017 for the position of Assistant Director, (Mechanical Engineering)/the Commission approved lateral conversion 2013 to Engineering Cadre as Chief Mechanical Engineer and the premature retirement July 2020, gross discrimination of a holder of HND Engineering and a registered COREN member, denial and violation of his rights and privileges in the public service;

2. Petition from Jemiluyi Samuel against Saidu Abubakar and two others on the fraudulent acts of some persons against his client;

3. Petition from A. A. Malik, SAN against S.B.I. International Holdings N.V of Curaco Netherlands requesting the kind intervention of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the payment of the principal sum and accrued interest in respect of Federal Republic of Nigeria Government promissory Note serial Numbers: FGN/S.B.I./P3, FGN/S.B.I./P4 AND FGN/S.B.I/P6;

4. Petition from Mr. Tobechi Chigbu against the Nigerian Army on the extra judicial murder of Mr. Noel Ezeribe Chigbu by Officers of the Nigerian Army on 30th April 2021; and

5. Ntoe Effiom Edet Etim Omin against the Department of Chieftaincy Affair, Governor’s Office- Cross Rivers State on Explicit Seal of approval for critical human rights abuses, manipulating and falsifying vital documents, fraudulent practices and underhand dealings that had come to define the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs: My request to overturn the report for betrayal of trust, injustice and bias based on avarice.

Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.

3. Senator Matthew Urhoghide submitted a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency.

Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.

POINT OF ORDER
1. Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir cited Order 42 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a motion on the attack on a military camp in Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State, that led to the death of 21 security officers

Senate ruled that the motion be presented the next legislative day.

2. Senator Sabi Abdullahi cited order 42 and 52 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a motion on the State of Federal roads in Niger State.

Senator Bima Enagi seconded, said: “Sometimes in 2019, a similar situation occurred in Niger State. We raised a motion here in 2019 concerning the state of roads in Niger State yet nothing serious has happened since then. I support the motion by my brother. What is required is special intervention funding for the roads in Niger State.”

“The Deputy Chief Whip has done a wonderful presentation and this is almost coming at the right time because the Budget is about coming. The economy of Nigeria is one that was monolithic. We tried to make agriculture to be one of the sources of our income. Anytime we talked about infrastructure, some of the flimsy excuses we have is we have two Presidents that come from that State but these are the two Presidents that have done well for other states. Our roads are in shamble, they are not motorable; so if the trailers decide to block Niger State roads, it is not just to Niger State but to the entire Nigeria. From Abuja to Makurdi, almost N56 Billion was allocated to that road and you look at the road that we just mentioned, only N4.6 billion, where is the equity? I call on the Minister of Works to realize that Nigeria is a large country and we need everyone to be taken seriously. The Minister of Works is one-sided. What we need in this country is equal opportunity for every sector.” – Senator Sani Musa

“Let me join my colleagues to express the displeasure of what is going on in Niger State roads corridor. What happened in the last few days affected every part of this country especially my own state. Blocking road network leads to socio, economic and cultural accident. Giving the number of roads that have been identified by the motion, these roads were all abandoned. I therefore support this motion wholeheartedly.” – Senator Sadiq Umar

Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the critical roads in Niger State linking economic corridors in the North and South;

ii. Urge the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works to carry out emergency stabilization of the failed portions of Bida-Lapai-Lambata road to ease the current suffering and rate of accidents and loss of goods and investments on the road;

iii. Urge the Federal Government to consider an emergency intervention for the critical roads in Niger State to the tune of Three Hundred Billion Naira to concurrently fix the roads as part of the infrastructure rehabilitation efforts of the Government to support ease of business and economy recovery across the country; and

iv. Convoke a national legislative round table of the state of infrastructure for economic development which would bring all political stakeholders in the transport and logistics industries with a view to identifying urgent actions to address the current challenges.

3. Senator Lekan Mustapha cited Order 42 and 52 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a motion on urgent need by the Ministry of Works and Housing to embark on the rehabilitation of federal roads across the country.

Senator Adamu Aliero seconded, said: “It is true that as a result of heavy downfall and rains, roads are now difficult to pass because of serious erosion. This motion is similar to the one moved by Senator Sabi Abdullahi. I will urge this Senate to mandate the Ministry of Finance to allocate some funds for the repair of roads. I support this motion and I also support the prayers that the Ministry of Finance should immediately release funds for the repair of the roads.”

“I rise to give support to this motion and in supporting this motion, I want to say there is no doubt that good road network is very critical to development and the emancipation of our people. The time has come for us to emphasize the need for additional funding for rehabilitation and construction of roads across the breadth and length of this nations.” – Senator Smart Adeyemi.

Senate resolved to:
I. Call on the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Budget to release funds for emergency repairs to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing;

II. Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to immediately commence emergency repair roads on all the badly affected roads and bridges nationwide.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 561) by Senator Orker-Jev Emmanuel

Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 561) was read the First Time.

2. Arbitration and Conciliation Act Cap A18 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 564) by Senator George Sekibo

Arbitration and Conciliation Act Cap A18 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 564) was read the First Time.

3. Federal University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Aboh, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 by Senator Rochas Okorocha

Federal University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Aboh, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 was read the First Time.

4. Community Health Practitioners (Registration) Act Cap C19 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 795) by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari

Community Health Practitioners (Registration) Act Cap C19 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 795) was read the
First Time.

5. Self-Employment Funding and Social Security Guarantee Bill, 2021 (SB. 813) by Senator Sani Musa

Self-Employment Funding and Social Security Guarantee Bill, 2021 (SB. 813) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT
1. Report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary)
Federal Medical Centre Owutu-Edda (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 295) by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe

Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe moved that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) on the Federal Medical Centre Owutu-Edda (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 295).

Senator Degi-Eremienyo Biobamakuma seconded.

Senator Ibrahim Olorigbe laid the report.

In his presentation, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe said every Bill needs to be backed by an enabling law and the establishment of the institution is informed by the need to bridge the existing gap between secondary and tertiary education in the state.

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

Senate in the Committee of the Whole considered Clauses 1-28 as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended.

Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.

The Senate in Plenary approved Clauses 1-28 as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended.

Federal Medical Centre Owutu-Edda (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 295) was read the Third Time and PASSED!

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004 and to Re-enact the Copyright Act 2021 and for matters connected therewith, 2021 (SB. 769) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi

“I stand to support this Bill. This Bill will go a long way to establish a law that will protect the rights of entrepreneurs in this regards. It is important to understand that the world is changing; and so there is need to shape this law so as to meet the current challenges to find a way to protect the rights of entrepreneurs. The Bill is a way of helping our economy at large.” –Senator Barau Jibrin

“I rise to give support for the second reading of this very important Bill. Copyrights are important property rights. I also say that potentials in terms of economic benefit to the Nigerian economy cannot be overemphasized. This Bill is a step in the right direction particularly the need to make the adjudication of copyright to be very effective. Therefore, I am delighted to support that this Bill be read the second time.” – Senator Ajibola Basiru

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Trade and Investment to report back within four weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to repeal the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, consolidate the Laws relating to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and enact the Electricity Act, 2021 to provide a comprehensive Legal and Institutional Framework for the privatization phase of the power sector in Nigeria and for Related matters, Bill, 2021 (SB. 511) by Senator Gabriel Suswam.

Senator Aishatu Dahiru seconded, said: “Electricity is so important in the life of our nation and the people. It can make a nation developed but unfortunately, electricity supply in our country has continually remain in a low optimal. I want to believe that this Bill addressed the first privatization issue and correcting necessity to consolidate all the dispute of legislature bearing the legal framework for generating, transmitting and distribution of electricity in our country. This is one Bill that is supposed to be called the Bill of the Year.”

“May I on behalf of this Senate thank the Chairman of the Committee of Power with his colleagues for coming up with this Bill to solve the challenge we have with energy in this country. I am in support of this stand taken by this Committee and ask them to give it accelerated handling. – Senator Chukwuka Utazi

“I rise in support of this Bill. Most of the laws that we have on the books are obsolete. Unless we put our power sector house in order, there is no way we can improve on our potentials. I want to encourage all my colleagues to please support this Bill so that can we put put our power house in order.” – Senator Kola Balogun

“It takes power for a country to develop. I am asking that all Senators should look into this Bill. Once we put this Bill together and make it right, most of the challenges we have in the power sector will be laid to rest.” – Senator Frank Ibezim

“I wholeheartedly support this Bill. This Bill has already taken note of putting the right Engineer in managing our stations for efficient power supply. For all these and others that have been mentioned, I wholeheartedly support this Bill.” – Senator Francis Fadahunsi

“I stand to support this Bill and I believe that we should all support this bill. If there is a reform in the power sector today, we can turn our rivers that are drying up to hydro thereby harvesting the water. From there we can make small hydros that will produce 15 MegaWatts each. If you look at the energy sector today, you would see that we need reform. Investors that will bring their money here will also want to see how far has the power sector faired in terms of legislation. So I believe that we need to reform this sector and there is no better time to do it than now.” – Senator Sani Musa

“Let me commend the sponsor of this Bill and also state the fact that I support it in its entirety. Mr. President, we all know that electricity is a fundamental requirement for industrialization. We know as a fact that we are lagging behind in terms of having the required electricity in this country. Therefore, any law that will enhance electricity in this country should be welcomed. – Senator Barau Jibrin

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Power to report back within four weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Gusau Teaching Hospital and for other connected matters therein, 2021 (SB. 640) by Senator Alhaji, Ya’u Sahabi

Senator Teslim Folarin seconded.

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Health for further legislative action to report back to the Senate.

4. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Education, Ekiadolor, and for other related matters, 2021 (SB. 800) by Senator Matthew Urhoghide

Senator Abiodun Olujimi seconded.

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in four weeks.

MOTIONS
1. Urgent need to encourage all Multinational and Nigerian Oil and Gas Companies to relocate to their Operational Base by Senator Albert Bassey and 23 other Senators.

Senator Degi-Eremienyo Biobarakuma seconded, said, “The basic element I appealed to all my colleagues to support this motion because it is good for all of us and our country.”

“I am happy that this Motion has come up and I am supporting this motion wholeheartedly. In my Senatorial District, two local government areas are victims of what has happened presently .I think it will be very meaningful if this industries can go back to their source. What is happening presently is tantamount to exploitation and occasional robbery.” – Senator Nicholas Tofowomo

Senate resolved to:
i. Mandate the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Downstream and Gas to liaise with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to further the possible relocation of the oil and gas companies in Nigeria to their various operational bases to ensure their smooth operations.

2. Urgent need to conduct investigation on allegation of Fake Covid-19 Test Result being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana and the obtainment of Fake Covid-19 Vaccination Cards by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Senator Sadiq Umar and Senator Chukwuka Utazi

Senator Sadiq Umar seconded, said it is unacceptable for Nigerians to be quarantined against their wish.

Senate resolved to:
i. Direct its Committees on Health (Secondary & Tertiary), Primary Health and Communicable Diseases and Foreign Affairs to conduct detailed investigations on the two allegations of fake Covid-19 test result being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana and the obtainment/use of Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards.

BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
1. National Road Fund Bill, 2021 (HB. 367) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi

Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Bill be read the Second Time.

Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.

The Bill was read the Second Time.

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report Clause by Clause.

Senate in the Committee of the Whole considered Clauses 1-27 as recommended, Schedules 1 & 2 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended.

Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.

The Senate in Plenary approved Clauses 1-27 as recommended, Schedules 1&2 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended.

National Road Fund Bill, 2021 (HB. 367) was read the Third Time and PASSED!

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that Plenary be adjourned till another legislative day.

Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.

Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 29th September, 2021.

#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary

Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria