PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF Tuesday, 6th December, 2022

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 11:18am.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Senator Michael Nnachi moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 29th November, 2022.

Senator Degi Biobarakuma seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read three letters from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR:

1. Confirmation of Appointment of Mrs. Aisha N. Ahmad, and Mr. Edward Adamu as Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria for the Second and Final Term;

2. Confirmation of Appointment of Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako as a member of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission representing Federal Capital Territory (FCT); and

3. Federal Capital Territory 2023 statutory Budget Proposal.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING

1. Export Prohibition Act (Repeal) Bill, 2022 (HB. 29) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Export Prohibition Act (Repeal) Bill, 2022 (HB. 29) was read the First Time.

2. National Institute of Oil and Gas Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1212) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

National Institute of Oil and Gas Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1212) was read the First Time.

3. Federal University of Education Isiokolo (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1653) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Federal University of Education Isiokolo (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1653) was read the First Time.

4. Federal College of Fisheries Goronyo, Sokoto State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 869) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Federal College of Fisheries Goronyo, Sokoto State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 869) was read the First Time.

5. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1064) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1064) was read the First Time.

MOTION FOR RE-COMMITAL OF A BILL

1. Nigerian Maritime Security Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Senate rescind its decision on the Bills as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for re-consideration and passage.

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

Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.

The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Nigerian Maritime Security Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 and approved Clauses 4 as recommended, and Long Title as recommended.

Nigerian Maritime Security Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2022 was read the Third Time and PASSED!

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING

1. A Bill for an Act to provide a legal and institutional framework for the establishment of the National Social Investment Programmes for the assistance and employment of the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria; establish a National Social Investment Programme Agency for the purpose of managing the implementation of the programme and for related matters, 2022 (SB. 1078) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, in is lead debate, said the Bill seeks to provide a statutory framework for the implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes.

“I rise to support this Bill which seeks to institutionalize the Social Investment Programmes carried out since the advent of this administration. It is a very good move to reduce some of the controversies surrounding the modalities and the beneficiaries. If we have an institution with legal backing then I don’t think it matters who is heading the Social Investment Programme. I think it is very good to institutionalized the whole process so that we can have some transparency.” – Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia

“I stand to support this Bill. This Bill will create a modality of assessment, a modality of data collection and accountability which will be community base. It will also give authority for correct data compilation, assessment and compilation. I support it in all entirety.” – Senator Michael Nnachi

“I rise to support this Bill. This government has been taking charge of the welfare of the people of Nigeria but how it is implemented is what we don’t know. This Bill is a good one and should be supported for its passage.” – Senator Christopher Ekpeyong

“The hardship is horrible. This particular Bill attempts to cushion what people are going through. I do support this Bill for Second Reading.” – Senator Stella Oduah

“In seconding this Bill, we have to set up a system to find out all the billions allocated to the Social Investment Programmes were spent so whenever we have the Agency, we will transfer to them what they need.” – Senator George Sekibo

“I want to support. The Bill is a good one. What we have had since the inception if this government had been good thought but faulty implementation. This Bill will bring transparency; this is the only time people will learn money given to them as loans are not handouts. We are grateful that this executive bill has come, it will put sanity into the programme and ensure government money will be accounted for.” – Senator Biodun Olujimi

“I support this Bill and I know the bulk of Nigerians will benefit from this.” – Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf

“Let me commend all our Colleagues who spoke on this Bill. We were unanimous that this Bill is a very important Bill and it also testifies for the fact that we want an improvement in the way and manner the programmes were implemented. I believe that this is an effort by the administration to ensure that there is s a legacy for this programme and a legacy that can make the programme more transparent and more effective. I also feel that now that we are creating an Agency, we shouldn’t make it an all government affair. Let there be private and Civil Society Organization. I think this is a very important bill and there is no administration that has come to Nigeria and has not done something to address poverty in Nigeria, even the military. Everybody tried to do something. Now, with this modification, we will get it better.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Special Duties and to report back within two weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Produce (Enforcement of Export Standards) Act, Cap P32 LFN, 2004 and Enact the Federal Produce Inspection Service (Establishment, Enforcement, of Export Standards) Acts, to provide for the inspection and enforcement of grades and quality standards of produce and commodities intended for import into or export from Nigeria ar Ports of Shipment and for related matters, 2022 (SB. 1079) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir

“This Bill is one Bill that is required in this country right now. It will help boost our economy. This Bill will encourage most of the local foods produce in Nigeria to be utilized and will help this nation at a time like this. This Bill is important and I ask that everybody to support this Bill.” – Senator Frank Ibezim

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

3. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Inland Revenue Act 2007 to provide for Single-Agency Administration of Corporate Tax Holidays import duty waivers and investment incentives and for other matters connected thereto, 2022 (SB. 1063) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi

“This is one of the most foresighted Bill to be introduced in this Senate. When you try to juxtapose our taxing polices with our structure as a nation, then you know we have issues. In this country, only very few people pay taxes mostly the civil servants. And if you look at this Amendment, this is targeted at corporate entities and we have been wary about how tax waivers are dished out to multinationals in this country. We commend Senator Abdullahi for this legislative intervention.” – Senator Ibn Na’Allah

“Let me also join our colleagues who commended the Sponsor of this Bill for a wonderful piece of work. There is no don’t that Nigeria is in a very difficult situation as revenue generations are concerned. This is the point at which every single kobo counts and we can’t afford to continue like this. Now we know that every source is important and especially the non-oil source. For me, this is a timely Bill. While we are trying to address the inadequacies, the weak point of the law, we should also look at what is currently happening. It is my view that we set up another Committee to investigate all this waivers. We may recover so many things for out government even if we have one week left as a parliament. I agree we should go ahead and look into how these waivers were given. I am of that opinion and I think we will look into it while the Bill is also in process.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan

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

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that all other items on the Order Paper be stood down till another legislative day.

Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 7th December, 2022.

Signed

New Media Unit

Office of the President of the Senate

Federal Republic of Nigeria