Votes and Proceedings for of the House of Representatives for Thursday, April 22, 2021

Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, presiding.

After leading the House in prayers and the National Pledge, the Speaker examined and approved the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, April 21, 2020.

Motion of Urgent National Importance:

Rep. Ifeanyi Chudi Momah, came under Order 8, Rule 4 of the House to raise a matter of urgent national importance on the urgent need to investigate the incessant jailbreaks in the country with a view to forestalling the reoccurrence. It was seconded by Rep. Dachung Musa Bagos.

Presenting the motion, Rep. Momah said House noted the series of attacks on correctional facilities in recent times in the country, saying the jailbreaks in recent years have been a source of worry. He cited Borno, Benin, Oyo among others as places where the incidents took place.

He said if the incidence continues, the Nigerian Correctional Service may not be able to deal with such issues.

He noted that general insecurity in the country is being aggravated by jailbreak and that it could lead to further deterioration of insecurity.

He prayed that the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service should reinforce security in the facilities.
He further prayed that the federal and state governments should take action;
And that the service should intensify efforts in securing the facilities.
He said the House should mandate the Committee on Reformatory Institutions should investigate and get back to the House.

The motion was voted on and passed.

Matters of Privilege:

Rep. Ahmed Jaha came under Order 6, Rule 1 and 2, Matter of Privilege:
He said: “I woke up early in the morning today to have my Sahur and came across media publications that this House took a position and refused or stopped the Minority Leader from bringing a matter for the removal of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.”

He said his privilege was breached because as someone that was in the chamber on Wednesday, there was no motion that was blocked by the Speaker, who presided over the day’s plenary.

“From what happened, this House did not stop any such move. What I know is that the presiding officer only said the order cited was wrong and that the Minority Leader can come through the right order.

“There was no point where this presiding officer stopped the motion for removal of the minister.

“The issue of insecurity is a very serious one. The interest of the nation is above any individual interest.

Before ruling on the matter, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said as Rep. Jaha rightly observed, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu came under Order 6, which is a matter of privilege.

“As provided for in our rules, matters that come under privilege are not debated. They are not motions. They are not seconded as a motion should. I think it behooves all of us to educate our constituents on such matters. It was not a motion. We noted the privilege. We only followed our rules. It’s important that our constituents get to know. As is the practice, your point of order is noted.”

After Jaha, Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta came under the same matter of privilege. He said the matter at hand suggested that the people outside are mindful of what happens in the House.

He then suggested that it should come under motion on notice for the House to take a clear position.

The Speaker said, “As l observed, there was no motion on the floor of the House on the matter on Wednesday”.

The Speaker went ahead to advise the journalists covering the House to always report what transpires in the House accurately.

“Abonta, if you have a motion or Hon. Elumelu has a motion, you know the proper thing to do. We have a procedure to follow, and I’m sure members will do justice to it,” the Speaker noted.

Presentation of Bills:
The following Bills were presented for First Reading:

1. National Security Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2021(HB. 1298) (Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum) – First Reading.
2. Federal College of Education, Lissam (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1299) (Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum) – First Reading.
3. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1300) (Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha) – First Reading.
4. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1301) (Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha & 85 others) – First Reading.
563
5. National Centre for Stroke Management Bill, 2021(HB. 1302) (Hon. Abass A. Adigun) – First Reading.
6. Bank Employees Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1303) (Hon. Abiola
Shina Pellar) – First Reading.
7. Patents and Designs Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1304) (Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga) – First Reading.
8. National Youth Service Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1305) (Hon. Abass A. Adigun) – First Reading.
9. Nigerian Defence Academy Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1306) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
10. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1307) (Hon. Anthony Afe Oberuakpefe) – First Reading.
11. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1308) (Hon. Anthony Afe Oberuakpefe) – First Reading.
12. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1311) (Hon. John Dyegh) – First Reading.
13. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1312) (Hon. Abdullshi Balarabe Salame) – First Reading.
14. Nigeria Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1313) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
15. National Emergency Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1314) (Hon. Chinedu N.
Ogah) – First Reading.
16. Federal Capital Territory Rent Tribunal (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1315) (Hon. Alhassan Ado
Doguwa) – First Reading.
17. Nigeria Pesticide Council (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1316) (Hon.Danduste Muntari M.) – First Reading.

BILLS

ORDER OF THE DAY:

1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Strengthen the Commission and make it more Effective to Regulate Broadcasting in Nigeria, to Provide for payment of all monies received by the Commission into the Federation Account in accordance with Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Encourage Liberal Openness and Favourable Competition in the Industry; and for Related Matters (HB.332) (Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos and Hon. Unyime Idem) – Second Reading.

Debate:
Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun moved for the second reading of the Bill, and it was seconded by Hon. Dachu Musa Bagos.

In his lead debate, Hon. Olusegun said the Bill seeks to amend the NBC Act with a view to strengthening the provisions that would enable good regulations of broadcasting in the country in line with international standards.

He said certain sections of the existing Acts should be amended to achieve the objectives. He said the various amendments would strengthen digital broadcasting in the country. He noted that the amendment will also give new life to licensing.

Generally, he said the amendment would improve the broadcasting industry in the country.

Consequently, the Bill was read for the second time and referred to the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.

2. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Specify the Time Frame for the Conduct of National Population Census; and for Related Matters (HB.740) (Hon. Babajimi Benson) – Second Reading.

Debate:
Hon. Babajimi Benson moved for the second reading of the Bill. Seconded by Rep. Leke Abajide.

Leading the debate, Hon. Benson said the Bill seeks to amend part 3 of the 1999 constitution to define the time frame for the conduct of census in the country. He said demographic data is very important in the life of any country, and that the amendment would help in many ways in the life of Nigeria.

He said the data would facilitate Nigeria’s development. He noted that the data would be generated through modern gadgets that would allow the collection of variable data.

He said the population census in Nigeria had been marred by improper conduct. The last census conducted was in 2006, he said.

The Bill was passed for second reading and referred to the Special Adhoc Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

3. A Bill for an Act to Provide the Legal Framework to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Mgbakwu; and for Related Matters (HB. 811) (Hon. Chinedu Sam Onwuaso) – Second Reading.

Debate:

Hon. Chinedu Sam Onwuaso moved for the second reading of the Bill. It was seconded by Hon. Julius Pondi.

In leading the debate, Hon. Onwuaso said the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre would go a long way in making people in Anambra State and other States access good healthcare services.

The Bill was read for the second time and referred to the Committee on Health Institutions.

4. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (First Alteration) Act, 2010 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Second Alteration) Act, 2010 to make all Appeals to the Supreme Court to be by Leave in order to Reduce Workload on the Court, Expedite Hearing and Determination of Appeals, and Encourage Efficiency and Quality; and for Related Matters (HB.1144) (Hon. Onofiok Luke) – Second Reading.

Debate:
Hon. Onofiok Luke moved for the second reading of the Bill.

Hon. Luke said the Bill would strengthen the court processes and expedite the hearing and determination of appeals.

Contributing, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta said appeal is a right and not a privilege, hence the need to ensure that it is done the proper way.

Also contributing, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, said the amendment would reduce the workload on the courts. But he voiced opposition to the Bill.

When put to voice votes, the Bill was rejected by the majority of the lawmakers.

5. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 with a view to Normalizing the Status of Abuja in Relation to the Federal Capital Territory; and for Related Matters (HB. 1067) (Hon. Awaji – Inombek D. Abiante) – Second Reading.

Rep. Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante moved for the second reading of the bill and was seconded by Rep. Beni Lar

Debate
Rep. Abiante noted that according to the provision of the Constitution, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is located within Abuja whereas it should be the other way round. According to the lawmaker, Abuja is smaller in landmass compared to the FCT.
As such, the Bill is proposing that the position of the two should be properly categorized.

Speaking against the Bill, Rep. Ahmed Jaha said he had to speak against it for suggesting to change the drafters of the constitution took their time to distinctly noticed before arriving at that decision.

When the question was put by the Presiding Officer, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase, the Bill was negatived.

 

6. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of Federal College of Forestry Management and Tourism, Idanre; and for Related Matters (HB. 687) (Hon. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefidoye) – Second Reading.

Rep. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefidoye moved for the second reading of the Bill.

The question was put and Bill passed for second reading and referred to the relevant Committee of the House.

MOTIONS
7. Completion of the Abandoned Federal Low–Cost Housing Estate at Eziama Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and Rehabilitation of the existing Infrastructure at Federal Low–Cost Housing Estate at Ubaha, Okigwe Local Government Area and Umuelemai, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State:
Hon. Miriam O. Onuoha:
The House:
Notes that Nigeria has a housing deficit of about 17 million houses as at August 2012 and requires 700,000 houses annually to offset the deficit compared to less than 100,000 being constructed;
Also notes that public housing programmes have been criticized for failing to generate tangible and sustainable housing project with acceptable distribution and acquisition mechanisms to meet the increasing housing demands, particularly by low-income earners;
Recalls that through the National Development Plan, a National Housing Program was launched to deliver housing units across the country under which the Federal Housing Estate, Eziama and Umuelemai Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and Federal Lowcost Housing Estate Ubaha, Okigwe Local Government Area were conceived but while those of Okigwe Local Government Area and Umuelemai, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area were completed and occupied that of Eziama Isiala Mbano Housing Estate had been abandoned with over 1000 housing units;
Concerned that if urgent action is not taken to complete the Housing Estate that has become a hideout for criminals which has in turn increased the rate of crime in the area, hence the need for completion of the Housing Estate, and rehabilitation of the so that the intention of Government would be realized;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to complete the abandoned Housing Estate in Eziama, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and also rehabilitate the dilapidated access roads at the Federal Lowcost Housing Estate in Ubaha, Okigwe Local Government Area and Umuelemai, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area;
(ii) mandate the Committees on Housing and Works to ensure the provision of appropriate funds for completion of the Housing Estate and rehabilitation of dilapidated access roads in the 2022 budget estimates;

(iii) also mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

Debate:
Rep. Miriam Onuoha moved the motion for the Completion of the Abandoned Federal Low–Cost Housing Estate at Eziama Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and Rehabilitation of the existing Infrastructure at Federal Low–Cost Housing Estate at Ubaha, Okigwe Local Government Area and Umuelemai, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State and it was seconded by Rep. Akinfolarin Mayowa seconded.

Motion was voted on and adopted.

8. Call to Address the Spate of Communal Clashes and Killings in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State:
Hon. Abdulsalam Gambo Mubarak:

The House:
Notes the spate of clashes between the Jukun and Tiv Communities in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State which started in March, 2020 and has recently taken another dimension;
Also notes that the lingering crisis has claimed lives, led to several people injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed with over five thousand (5000) persons internally displaced;
Aware that of the Daily Trust Newspaper Report 4 and 5, June 2020, the village head of Bagony and the Imam, along with many others were murdered, a similar incident occurred at Wurbo village of Bali Local Government Area in a midnight attack by militia leaving many dead;
Also aware that the rate of banditry, kidnapping, wanton killings and destruction of properties is increasing daily and the development is hampering peace and paralysing the economic and agricultural activities in the area as farmers no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked by militia and this may lead to poverty and hunger;
Concerned that for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps are in shabby and sordid conditions, hence the need for urgent help as there are inadequate space and food to accommodate the displaced persons as well as lack of basic health care as this may lead to the spread of contagious infections such as COVID–19, Cholera, among others;
Also concerned that no stringent security measures have been put in place to complement the efforts of the State Government to restore law and order as people are daily fleeing from their ancestral homes for fear of being attacked and if not urgently contained, may spread to other local government areas, and even to other States;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant Security Agencies to immediately deploy more personnel to the affected areas to arrest the situation and forestall future occurrences;
(ii) also urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North–East Development Commission to provide relief materials to the IDPs and restore destroyed Communities;
(iii) set up an Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the matter with a view to getting to the remote causes of frequent communal clashes, arm banditry, kidnappings and killings in the area and other parts of the country and report back within three (3) weeks for further legislative action.

Motion was stepped down by the leave of the House.

9. Need to Check the Activities of Oil Companies Flaring Gas in Nigeria:
Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims

The House:
Notes that Nigeria gazetted the Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations 2018 to reduce and eliminate gas flare in Nigeria through monetization and investment in the gas flare ecosystem;
Also notes that paragraph 12 of the Policy, increased penalties from $0.30 to $2.00IMSCF (one thousand standard cubic feet) on flared/vented gas volumes, while paragraph 21 stipulated a penalty of USD2.S0 IMSCF (per thousand standard cubic feet) against a producer, who fails to provide Flare Gas Data or supply accurate and complete Flare Gas Data;
Concerned that after the penalty regime stated the gas flare volumes reported by Nigeria was drastically reduced for 2018 and 2019 and created a huge discrepancy between the gas flared volumes reported by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Gas Flare Tracker (GFT) which is Satellite-based and the volumes declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the period;
Aware that the report from the Gas Flare Tracker via Satellite is used and accepted by the Petroleum Industry globally, both in developed and developing countries for gas flare volumes records, thus, it is only in Nigeria that discrepancies exist between the flared volume reported by the satellite and the government;
Also aware that the anomaly in flared volume reportage by the Nigeria Government has caused an outcry from Civil Society Organizations, the Nigeria Media and the Coalition Against Gas Flare (CAGAF) an umbrella organ of CSOs in the gas flare ecosystem is raising public awareness on the matter;
Further aware that FOSTER (DFID Sponsored -Facility for Oil Sector Transformation) informed the Gas Resources Committee that the discrepancy as currently determined is 190bcf and IS0bcf in 2018 and 2019 respectively which potentially represent an aggregate revenue loss of $680Million in unpaid penalties to the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2018 and 2019;
Alarmed that the loss to Nigeria may be higher when the penalties accrues from venting are determined and added to the money accruable from flared gas discrepancies and other losses in terms of power generation which is now estimated at 98 GWH for 2018 and 2019 respectively;
Observes that the discrepancies in the gas flare volumes exist between figures declared by the Nigerian Government and the NOSDRA Gas Flare Tracker has huge economic, environmental social ethical and criminal implication and should be nipped in the bud;
Also concerned that the discrepancy will cost the government huge revenue loss from penalties (estimated at $680Million & 98GWh for 2018 and 2019), and present a planning challenge in terms of inaccuracies in figures that may be presented for gas flare investments and will create difficulties when ascertaining the environmental consequences of gas flaring and attendant adverse health implication on man, animals and flora in the petroleum producing communities;
Cognizant of the need to take action to verify the discrepancy in the volume of gas flared in Nigeria;
Alarmed by the adverse consequences of the gas flare discrepancies and worried that there are grounds to suspect under-reporting by the government of Nigeria and the Oil Companies, to evade the gas flare penalty imposed by the Flare Gas Regulations 2018.

Set up an Ad– hoc Committee to investigate: the gas flare volume reported by the Nigerian Government and the NOSDRA Gas Flare Tracker and ascertain the amount of gas flared and the extent of the discrepancies and ascertain the amount of revenue due to the government from gas flare penalties.

Debate:
Rep. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims moved the motion for a Need to Check the Activities of Oil Companies Flaring Gas in Nigeria and it was seconded by Rep. Miriam Onuoha.

Rep. Miriam Onuoha moved an amended that the House Standing Committees of the House should handle the investigation

Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu also moved an amendment that Gas and Environment Committee should handle the investigation.
Amendment adopted.

Motion passed as amended and referred to Committees on Gas and Environment.

10. Urgent Need to Beef-Up Security in Owan Federal Constituency to Mitigate against the Increase in Kidnapping Activities.
Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere
The House:
Notes that Owan Federal Constituency, comprising Owan East and West Local Government Areas of Edo State, is currently besieged by kidnappers, which now poses a threat to the peaceful existence and security of lives and property in the Constituency;
Also notes that as a border Constituency with porous borders, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals fleeing from the actions of Amotekun in Ondo State, have now fled to Owan Federal Constituency to continue their nefarious activities;
Further notes that abduction and kidnappings have become more indiscriminate across the two local government areas as criminal gangs view victims as sources of income and therefore sad to note that the villagers have been largely ignored by the government;
Aware that if this spate of kidnappings and abductions are not nipped in the bud, it has the potential of crippling socio-economic activities in the Constituency;
Also aware of recent as report by Bell Magazine of 14 April 2021 that Dr. Blessing Aidenoje, a medical microbiologist at Ambrose Ali University, Edo State was abducted along Ozalla/Sabo Road in Owan West Local Government Area, while in another development, a council worker and his child were abducted along Sabo/Uzebba Road and whisked off to unknown locations;
Also aware that the Otuo/lhievbe-Ogbe roads as well as Uokha/ Afuze roads in Owan East Local Government Area have become the operational grounds of the kidnappers, thereby making the villagers to live in constant fear for their lives;
Further aware of that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government, alas there have been numerous loss of lives across the country largely due to lapses in security;
Convinced that proactive rather than reactive measures would go a long way in mitigating insecurity in various parts of the country;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Executive Arm of Government to come up with a holistic implementable strategy, including immediate recruitment of officers, deployment of personnel, support for vigilante groups and local hunters as well as dialogue with critical stakeholders, to immediately address the incessant kidnappings and abductions in Owan Federal Constituency;

(ii) also urge the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Service to, as a matter of urgency, step up actions aimed at curtailing the incidents of kidnapping and banditry in Owan Federal Constituency as well as all over the country;

(iii) mandate the Committee on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence to ensure implementation.

Debate:
Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere moved a motion for Urgent Need to Beef-Up Security in Owan Federal Constituency to Mitigate against the Increase in Kidnapping Activities and it was seconded by Afolabi Olalekan Raji.

An amendment was raised by Rep. Manu Soro Masur that the House should urge the National Security Adviser (NSA) to convey the national security summit.

The Deputy Speaker reminded him that the Speaker is currently heading a recently constituted special Security Committee of the House mandated to holistically look into the security situation of the country. He noted that events have overtaken the amendment.

Motion was put to vote and passed.

11. Need to Investigate the Illicit Trade in Human Organs:
Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum Hon. Olajide Olatubosun
The House:
Notes that about two weeks ago, acting on the information provided by an anonymous source, Chinese Authorities seized a cargo ship that sailed from Nigeria with 7,200 refrigerated penis, the which were found in 36 boxes labelled as plantain on the ship that harboured at the Shanghai port called Red Market;
Also notes that the Chinese General Administration of Customs had alerted that an increasingly large number of armed groups in Africa use organs which are harvested in unsanitary conditions to finance their nefarious activities;
Recalls that the media was awash a few years ago with horrifying stories of the harvest of organs of Nigerians and other Africans stranded in Libya for sale in Europe, the Middle East, America and China;
Aware that the increasing cases of missing persons, ritual killings and trafficking of persons out of the country may be linked to the Red Market which can be attributed to the trafficking of young men and women who end up being victims of organ harvesting;
Also aware that the increased banditry, kidnappings and spiraling violence in several parts of the country today make those parts of the country vulnerable and provide safe havens and ready supply channels for the illicit activities;
Concerned that harvest of organs can only be done by medical surgeons with the aid of rogue public officials;
Also concerned that perpetrators of the illicit trade generate between 600 million to 1.2 billion dollars profit annually and have been encouraged by poor security situations to use the third world as the major suppliers;
Further aware that as early as 1987, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the illegal trade violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as taking unfair advantage of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in the world;
Cognizant that the International Community has made efforts to curb the menace of Red Market, such as the Istanbul Declaration urging professionals to put an end to the unethical actions where organs of unfortunate victims of economic migrants and human trafficking in Europe and the Middle East are ripped off thereby constituting a gross abuse of the rights to life of those Nigerians;
Convinced that if nothing is done to curb this criminal act, more criminals will set up shops dealing in human organs in Nigeria, taking advantage of the insecurity in the country;

Mandate the Committees on Human Rights and National Security and Intelligence to investigate the whole gamut of this value chain known as Red Market or illicit market in human organs and report back within ten (10) weeks for further legislative action.

Debate:

Rep. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum moved the motion for the Need to Investigate the Illicit Trade in Human Organs and seconded by Musa Mohammed.

Motion was put to a voice vote and passed.

Need to Restore Nyamatsor State Constituency of Benue State:
Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo:
The House:
Notes that Nyamatsor State Constituency in Buruku Local Government Area existed among other State Constituencies in Benue State under the defunct Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979; and was made up of 8 Council Wards, including; Mbakyaan, Mbayaka, Mbaakura, Mbatyough, Mbaade, Mbaazagee, Etulo and Shorov;
Aware that the Nyamatsor State Constituency produced members into the Benue State House of Assembly from 1979 until the Third Republic was aborted by the Military in 1993;
Convinced that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted outside its statutory mandate when it excluded Nyamatsor State Constituency, which existed under the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria, during the conduct of the 1999 general elections;
Aware that Section 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that state has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible, nearly equal population;
Conscious that Benue State, with 11 seats in the House of Representatives, is supposed to have at least 33 State Constituencies as each seat in the House of Representatives is mandated to have 3 state constituencies in the State House of Assembly;
Concerned that the situation in the Benue State House of Assembly and Buruku Federal Constituency is such that Benue State House of Assembly has only 30 members instead of 33 as mandated by sections 91 and 112 of the Constitution;
Disturbed that Buruku Federal Constituency has only one member or seat instead of three members or seats as envisaged by the Constitution in the Benue State House of Assembly;
Worried that this injustice against the people of Nyamatsor State Constituency has also affected other State Constituencies across 19 States;
Recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in 2004, wrote to the National Assembly for approval to restore the suppressed State Constituencies across the nation;
Cognizant of the provisions of Section 114 (1) the 1999 Constitution for periodic review of State Constituencies which provides that the Independent National Electoral Commission shall review the division of every State into constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years, and may alter such constituencies following the provision of this section to such extent as it may consider desirable in the light of the review;
Also worried that the last review of State Constituencies in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was in 1998, resulting in the suppression of Nyamatsor and 65 other State Constituencies;
Regrets that from 1998 till date, over 22 years, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to suppress the Nyamatsor State Constituency and other 65 State Constituencies across 19 States of the Federation;
Also aware that the essence of participatory democracy is to ensure inclusive governance to bring about a balanced development in society but the people of Buruku have remained excluded and under- represented as a result of this unconstitutional suppression of Nyamatsor State Constituency;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore Nyamatsor State Constituency in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State to comply with extant laws and the provisions of Sections 91 and 112 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended);
(ii) also urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out a general review of State Constituencies in Nigeria in compliance with section 114 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) well ahead, and in preparation for the 2023 general elections;
(iii) Mandate the Committee on Electoral Matters to ensure implementation.

Debate:
Rep. Kpam Jimin Sokpo moved the motion for the Need to Restore Nyamatsor State Constituency of Benue State:

The Presiding Officer, Deputy Speaker Wase reminded the mover of the motion that the House had previously dealt with all related matters on constituency delineation had been previously dealt with by the House. The decision of the House was that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should look into all constituency matters, added. He advised the mover of the motion to follow up with the Committee.

Motion was stepped down by the leave of the House.

Announcement

Deputy Speaker Wase announced that the journey to Katsina fire incidence by a delegation of the House would be on Monday, 26 April 2021

Adjournment

The Deputy Speaker asked the House Leader Alhassan Ado-Doguwa to adjourn the House to Tuesday, 27 April 2021.

The House Leader moved for the adjournment of the House to Tuesday 27 April 2021, at 11.00 am
Deputy House Leader, Peter Akpatason seconded.

House adjourned at 1.32 pm.

Courtesy:
Speaker of the House of Representatives Media Unit.