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 11:01am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 28th March, 2023.
Senator Frank Ibezim seconded.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf cited Order 41 and 51 to seek the Leave of the Senate to move a motion on the Need to recover over six trillion naira ground rent due to the federal government that is laying fallow in the hands of a few individuals in Nigeria.
Senator George Sekibo seconded the motion.
Senate resolved to:
i. Constitute an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the inability of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to collect the ground rent that is accruable to the federal government;
ii. Come up with a comprehensive data of federal government properties that are sold out to the public under the Ministry of Works and Housing across the country;
iii. Report back to Senate within four weeks for further legislative action; and
iv. Mandate the Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the activities of the Presidential Investigation Committee on the sale of all federal government properties.
Members of the Ad-Hoc Committee are:
1. SenatorAdamu Aliero – Chairman
2. Senator Sani Musa
3. Senator Sam Egwu
4. Senator Smart Adeyemi
5. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
6. Senator Betty Apiafi
7. Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Confirmation of the Nomination of the following persons for Appointment as Members of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as Members of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board in accordance with the provision of Section 116(3) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
i. Engr. Funke Opeke
ii. Mr. Ahmed Abubakar Walama
iii. Mrs. Fatima A. Kyari
iv. Engr. Gbenga Adebayo
Minority Leader, Senator Philips Aduda seconded.
The request of Mr. President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Communications for further legislative action to report back within one week.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Conference Committee Report
National Centre for Women Development Act Cap N15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1042) by Senator Betty Apiafi
Senator Betty Apiafi moved that the Senate do receive and consider the Conference Committee Report on the National Centre for Women Development Act Cap N15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1042).
Senator Akon Eyakenyi seconded.
Senator Betty Apiafi laid and presented the report.
Senate approved the report of the Conference Committee.
2. Report of the Committee on Special Duties
National Social Investment Programme (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1078) by Senator Abubakar A. Yusuf
Senator Abubakar A. Yusuf moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the National Social Investment Programme
Senator Abubakar A. Yusuf laid and presented the report.
Senate dissolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the three reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Social Investment Programme (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1078) and approved Clauses 1-32 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule 1-11 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
National Social Investment Programme (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1078) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
“Congratulations to the Ninth National Assembly for passing this very important Bill. The Bill to qualify the National Social Investment Programme to create an agency that will ensure that all the efforts of the federal government to address poverty especially amongst the most vulnerable groups in the country are properly attended to. No community can ever have peace without addressing the poverty that faced the poor. The insecurities we face in Nigeria can be attributed to very high level of poverty. Leaders have the obligation to work to ensure that we alleviate poverty and that is what will continue to stabilize our society. This Bill, having been passed by the National Assembly, is one of our major contributions in legislations to support democracy and to support citizens in the country. And I am very sure Mr. President will sign this Bill the day it will arrive in the Villa.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
3. Report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on:
i. Shea Development Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 147); and
ii. Donkey Slaughter Regulation and Export Certification Bill, 2023 (SB. 496)
Senator Abba Moro seconded.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi laid and presented the two reports.
Senate dissolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the two reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
i. Shea Development Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 147)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Shea Development Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 147) and approved Clauses 1-16 as amended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Shea Development Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 147) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. Donkey Slaughter Regulation and Export Certification Bill, 2023 (SB. 496)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Donkey Slaughter Regulation and Export Certification Bill, 2023 (SB. 496) and approved Clauses 1-13 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Donkey Slaughter Regulation and Export Certification Bill, 2023 (SB. 496) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
“Congratulations! There is a business opportunity in ranching and breeding of donkeys because some countries exports a lot of donkeys from Nigeria and our donkeys are going into extinction. It is very good that we are regulating the way our donkeys are taken out of the country.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan
MOTION
1. Urgent Need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to Liaise with Commercial Banks to resume operation in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State by Senator Akon Eyakenyi
Senator Akon Eyakenyi, in her lead debate, said there were incidents where bank customers, out of anger sacked bank staff due to the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria that led to cash crunch nationwide.
“One of the places that the scenario occurred was in Oron, Akwa-Ibom State where bank customers converged at various bank premises for several days without money to pay them, agitated customers protested and caused commotion in banking halls.” – Senator Akon Eyakenyi
“I rise to second the motion as presented by Senator Eyakenyi.” – Senator Binos Yaroe
Senate resolved to:
i. Implore the Central Bank of Nigeria to liaise with the commercial banks that operate branches in Oron, namely; First Bank, UBA and Access Bank to resume full operations in Oron Local Government Area;
ii. Direct the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to investigate the closure of bank branches nationwide from 2010 till date with a view to directing the Central Bank of Nigeria, to direct deposit money banks to open their branches.
BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
1. Investment and Securities Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 1787) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Investment and Securities Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 1787) was read the Second Time.
2. Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 399) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 399) was read the Second Time.
3. Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) was read the Second Time.
Senate dissolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the three reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
i. Investment and Securities Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 1787)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Investment and Securities Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 1787)and approved Clauses 1-366 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Investment and Securities Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 1787) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 399)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 399) and approved Clauses 1-48 as amended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023 (HB. 399) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
iii. Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) and approved Clauses 1-2 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President Ahmad Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the transmission of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Enonyi State, Establishment Bill, 2023 for consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate adjourns Plenary to Tuesday, 4th April, 2023.
#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
