Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, Ph.D, led the Principal Officers into the Chambers, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 11:01am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia moved for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday, 18th May, 2021.
The motion was seconded.
POINT OF ORDER
1. Senator Shuaibu Isa cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan, who died on Friday 14th May, 2021 in an Egyptian hospital at the age of 61.
Senate observed a one minute silence in honour of the departed soul.
2. Senator Smart Adeyemi cited Order 43 to announce the demise of Senator Joseph Obasaju, who represented Kogi West Senatorial district in the second republic in 1983.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the parliamentarian who dedicated his life to public service and the nation at large.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) (Enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 642) by Senator Suleiman Kwari
Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) (Enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 642) was read the First Time.
2. Immigration Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 694) by Senator George Sekibo
Immigration Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 694) was read the First Time.
3. Federal Institutes of Tractorization, Field Applications, Precision Agriculture and Irrigation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 723) by Senator Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo
Federal Institutes of Tractorization, Field Applications, Precision Agriculture and Irrigation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 723) was read the First Time.
4. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 724) by Senator Teslim Folarin
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 724) was read the First Time.
5. 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (SB. 725) by Senator Uche Ekwunife
1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (SB. 725) was read the First Time.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the University of Science and Technology Lau, Taraba State and for related matters thereof, 2021 (SB. 672) by Senator Shuaibu Lau
Senator Biodun Olujimi seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal Sports University Nkalagu, Ebonyi State to make comprehensive provisions for its due management and administration and for other related matters, 2021 (SB. 138) by Senator Joseph Ogba
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu seconded. Said: “This Bill is going to do a lot for our football players. It will encourage the younger ones to play football, have education, and have exposure. I support this Bill so that a lot of money would be made from football and athletics.”
“This Bill will bring unity in this country because sport has been one thing that encourages our country. Having a University of Sport in Nigeria will help the entire country in solving youth restiveness. There is a whole lot that this Bill can do for this country. This Bill will encourage unity, diversity and progress.” – Senator Francis Ibezim
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Sports and Social Development to report back within four weeks.
3. A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal University of Technologies Act Cap F23 LFN 2004 to establish the Federal Universities of Technology Offa, Kwara State by upgrading the Federal Polytechnic Offa and for other related matters, 2021 (SB. 702) by Senator Oyelola Ashiru.
Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND and to report back in four weeks.
4. A Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 and for other related matters connected thereto, 2021 (SB. 662) by Senator Francis Onyewuchi
Senator Adamu Aliero seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back within four weeks.
5. A Bill for an Act to provide for Legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the sustainable energy development with the overall objective of providing clean, affordable, adequate and reliable energy in Nigeria, 2021 (SB. 81) by Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Senator Adamu Aliero seconded. Said “We have been spending a lot of money to develop our power sector from 1999, we have spent $40 billion to improve our power supply and generation but we are nowhere where we want to be. This Bill is important because it will go a long way in solving the problem of power supply. I want to urge my colleagues to support this Bill for second reading it because it will revolutionize the energy sector”
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committees on Science and Technology and Power with Science and Technology as the lead committee.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Science and Technology; ICT & Cyber Crimes and Primary Health Care & Communicable Diseases
Status of 5G Network in Nigeria and its Technological Impact on Nigerian Citizens by Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Senator Oluremi Tinubu moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Science and Technology; ICT & Cyber Crimes and Primary Health Care & Communicable Diseases on the investigation of the Status of 5G Network in Nigeria and its Technological Impact on Nigerian Citizens.
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut seconded.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu laid and presented the report.
The Senate approved the recommendations of the Committee.
“Let me also join the Leader of the Senate in commending the Joint Committee for a very thorough job and we would advise that those responsible for introducing the 5G technology should take cognisance of what we have passed today. They should go through our recommendations. I am sure that there is need for a very careful recommendations like this so we get it right and learn from those who have already deployed the technology. The Joint Committee has really done a good job and I want to commend you for that.” – Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, Ph.D
2. Report of the Committee on Tertiary INSTITUTIONS and TETFUND
Federal University of Technology Yaba (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 85) by Senator Babba Ahmad
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Tertiary INSTITUTIONS and TETFUND on the Federal University of Technology Yaba (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 85)
Senator Gershom Bassey seconded.
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut laid and presented the report.
b. Report of the Committee on Tertiary INSTITUTIONS and TETFUND
Federal University Birnin-Kebbi Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 165) by Senator Ahmad, Babba Kaita
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Tertiary INSTITUTIONS and TETFUND on the Federal University Birnin-Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 165)
Senator Akon Eyakanyi seconded.
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the Report of the Committee on Tertiary INSTITUTIONS and TETFUND on:
i. Federal University of Technology Yaba (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 85)
ii. Federal University Birnin-Kebbi Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 165)
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
1. Federal University of Technology Yaba (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 85):
The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved Clauses 1-30 as recommended, interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
2. Federal University Birnin-Kebbi Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 165)
The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved Clauses 1-31 as recommended, interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Schedules 1-2 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Federal University of Technology Yaba (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 85) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
Federal University Birnin-Kebbi Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 165) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
MOTIONS
1. Ghana Games in Nigeria: Need to investigate non-execution of terms of settlement by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi
Senator Gershom Bassey seconded. Said: “I second this motion wholeheartedly.”
Senate resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Sports to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged non-execution of the terms of settlement and report back within 4 weeks.
2. Urgent need to curb the dismantling of the Standard/Narrow Guage Rail Lines by some disgruntled elements in Nigeria by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded.
“We should take this issue very seriously. This is criminal and we should take it very seriously. It is modern economy sabotage. Huge sums of money were borrowed from China and these vandals are going all out to destroy this infrastructure. We should take it very seriously.” – Senator Adamu Aliero
“In a country where we have been crying for infrastructural development to now find out that some people go to vandalize rail lines. Most of the people that were photographed on social media are early 20s, 30s and 40s. The people who would need this in the future want to remove the future from now. There has to be capital punishment attached to this. We can’t just allow people who don’t think about the future to come and destroy our future.” – Senator Biodun Olujimi
Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Transport and the relevant Security Agencies to ensure that the perpetrators, including the saboteurs are charged for economic sabotage with maximum punishment without option of fine;
ii. Urge the relevant authorities including the Nigeria Railway Corporation to engage the services of Local Security Guards along all the Railway Lines in the country; and
iii. Mandate the Committee on Police Affairs to liaise with the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Interior to work out modalities towards regular patrol and surveillance of rail tracks within the country.
“This is criminal and we must take interest in those that were caught. We need to follow the trial of the prosecution. We borrowed money to build these rail lines in order to increase the level of infrastructure in our country. We must be interested in what happens to these people because our Courts also have problems. There must be a visible example.” – Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, Ph.D
3. Urgent need for an upward review of Budgetary Allocation to the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State to boost the vaccine production capacity of the institute by Senator Nora Ladi Daduut
Senator Adamu Aliero seconded. Said: “National Veterinary Research Institute is one of the oldest institute in the country. It is meant to produce vaccines for livestock generally. The Head of this institute complained that the allocation given to them is inadequate. If we can adequately fund this institute, we have no business importing vaccines into Nigeria. I therefore support this motion that there should be increased funding to this institute in order to perform optimally. It is for our own good.”
“I want to thank the mover of this motion and I believe that if we are able to fund this Institute, it is possible for us to get sufficient vaccines for the country and we can also export to other countries thereby attracting foreign currency to our country.” – Senator Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo
Senate resolved to:
i. Mandate its Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to engage with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in order to explore ways of increasing the budgetary allocation to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) VOM for optimal performance;
ii. Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide special funding for the National Veterinary Research Institute
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the Order Paper be stood down till another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 1st June, 2021.
#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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