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 10:44am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 29th March, 2022.
Senator Uche Ekwunife seconded.
PETITION
Senator Uche Ekwunife submitted a petition from one of her constituents against Nigerian Customs Service and the Ministry of Finance over the non-refund of excess charges amounting to N22,050,026.
Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Federal University of Technology Ipokia Bill, 2022 (HB. 512) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal University of Technology Ipokia Bill, 2022 (HB. 512) was read the First Time.
2. Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 459) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 459) was read the First Time.
3. Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 139) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 139) was read the First Time.
4. Institute for Excellence and Leadeship Development (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 965) by Senator Francis Alimikhena
Institute for Excellence and Leadeship Development (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 965) was read the First Time.
5. Industrial Waste Minimization Bill, 2022 (SB. 974) by Senator Tolulope Odebiyi
Industrial Waste Minimization Bill, 2022 (SB. 974) was read the First Time.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Confirmation of the Nomination of Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the confirmation of the nomination of Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the provision of Section 154 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
The request of Mr. President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on INEC for further legislative action and to report back in two weeks.
2. Confirmation of the following persons for Appointment as Executive Commissioners for Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the confirmation of the following persons for appointment as Executive Commissioners for Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission in accordance with the provision of Section 11(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
i. Dr. Nuhu Habib – North-West (Kano State) – Member/Executive Commissioner, Development and Production
ii. Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu – South-East (Imo State) – Member/Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning
iii. Capt. Tonlagha Roland John – South-South (Delta State) – Member/Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community
iv. Jide Adeola – North-Central (Kogi State) – Commissioner Corporate Services and Administration
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
The request of Mr. President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream for further legislative action and to report back within two weeks.
CONSIDERATION OF A BILL
1. A Bill for an Act to Amend some provisions of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 and other related matters, 2022 (SB. 968) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
“Let me congratulate and commend my leader, the most Distinguished Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, and to say that this Bill is very important and critical to the food security survival of our country. One principle that guide the development of GMO is substantial equivalent. That means is this commodity being used without any health hazard? The result has always been mixed. The Bill is designed to help us to regulate the injection of anything genetically modified. We must prevent a situation where Nigeria will be used as a dumping ground so that our citizens will not be used as guinea pigs. This Bill is timely and I think the scientific underpin of why we need this Bill is very clear and undisputable. I call on my colleagues to allow the Bill be read the Second Time.” – Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
“The world population is growing to seven billion and there is no way the world can adopt a technology that will be enough to feed the nation. GMO has so many advantages that have been genetically modified. I am sure there is no concrete evidence that GMO has negative effect. I appeal to our colleagues to support this amendment for Second Reading.” – Senator Robert Ajayi Borrofice
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Environment for further legislative action to report back within four weeks.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes
Witness Protection and Management Bill, 2022 (SB. 641) by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Abdu Kwari
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes on the Witness Protection and Management Bill, 2022 (SB. 641)
Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari seconded.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele laid and presented the report.
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 the Witness Protection and Management Bill, 2022 (SB. 641) and approved Clause 1-61 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Witness Protection and Management Bill, 2022 (SB. 641) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
“This again is one piece of legislation that will enhance this administration’s fight against corruption. And this is the third or fourth contribution of this Senate in the past one month on the fight against corruption that will support what we have done before.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan
MOTION
1. Nigerians dumbfounded, outraged over Pay-TV Tariff Hikes, demand for Pay-Per-View subscription model by Senator Abba Moro
“This is high time we stand up firmly and face this MultiChoice to make sure we protect Nigerians. I support that their rates is scale downward and at the same time there should also be a luxury charge on DSTV to make sure that Nigerians also benefit in another way.” – Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf
“Permit me to commend the mover of this Motion and to say that I support the content in its entirety. The people of this country are being short changed by pay-tv. They increase fees whenever they like without considering the service they provide to Nigerians. Their service is poor, they don’t give what Nigerians are supposed to have. Because of the nature of electricity we have in this country, sometimes someone will pay but lack of light won’t allow the person enjoy such services yet once the month ends, that money goes. There should be a system where there will be pay-per-view. Again the regulators should do the needful by not allowing increase of fees by these entities the way they like. It is not in the interest of our people. I thereby support this motion because we need to stand for the interest of our people.”– Senator Baru Jibrin
Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to direct all pay-tv providers to introduce a pay-per-view model of subscription against the month to month prepaid model presently in place; and
ii. Direct all pay-tv service providers in Nigeria to immediately review their bouquet prices downwards in tandem with the prevailing reality of economic situation in the country.
iii. Establish an ad-hoc committee to further investigate this incessant increase in fees by DSTV in this country with a view to finding lasting solution to it.
“What DSTV is doing here, they can’t do it in many countries but here they do it and get away with it. So we need to have a public hearing. We need to get them here. Our ad-hoc committee should be given the mandate to do a wholescale investigation.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan
BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
1. Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022 (HB. 47) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022 (HB. 47) was read the First Time.
2. Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 896) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 896) was read the First Time.
3. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1820) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1820) was read the First Time.
4. Federal College of Education (Technical) Yauri, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 629) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal College of Education (Technical) Yauri, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 629) was read the First Time.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the four Bills for Concurrence.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
1. Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022 (HB. 47) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022 (HB. 47) and approved Clause 1-23 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022 (HB. 47) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
2. Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 896) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 896) and approved Clause 1-23 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule 1-2 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Fisheries Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 896) was read the Third Time and PASSED
3. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1820) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1820) and approved Clause 1-3 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1820) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
4. Federal College of Education (Technical) Yauri, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 629) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Federal College of Education (Technical) Yauri, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 629) and approved Clause 1-23 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal College of Education (Technical) Yauri, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 629) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced the establishment of an Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out comprehensive investigation on pay-tv services in Nigeria.
“It is going to be a comprehensive investigation so that we can get more information on how other jurisdiction or countries are charged.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Members of the Ad-Hoc Committee are:
i. Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi – Chairman
ii. Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari – member
iii. Senator Oluremi Tinubu – Member
iv. Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf – Member
v. Senator Lekan Mustapha – Member
vi. Senator Chukwuka Utazi – Member
vii. Senator Akon Eyakenyi – Member
“The Committee have one month to report back to the Senate and at the end of the day, we should have all these unnecessary payment we make to DSTV reversed if they can’t justify it.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that Senate do adjourn Plenary till another legislative day.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 5th April, 2022.
#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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