TodayInPlenary: Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate Of Wednesday 27th September , 2017
Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 26th September, 2017. Senator Theodore Orji seconded.
OATH
Senator Andrew Uchendu representing Rivers East Senatorial district replaced Senator Sekibo due to Court ruling took the Oath of Office.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu made announcements and welcomed people who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.
PETITIONS
Senator Abaribe laid a petition regarding 348 employees at Micheal Opkara University who were recently dismissed by the new Vice Chancellor after proper employment in 2015.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide laid a petition from his constituent member against National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Senator Olarenwaju Tejuoso laid Mr. Gbademosi’s petition against the chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for non compliance to court order.
Senator Sam Anyanwu laid a petition from constituent member against Conoil Plc.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator John Enoh cited order 43 and called for the intervention of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the flooding which has affected the living conditions in Umaji Community of Cross-River state.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe cited order 43 and spoke about the wrongly published article by Daily Trust which stated ‘IPOB, Senators query Senator Abaribe over Kanu’s bail.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu reiterated the need for responsible Journalism and called for Senators to respect the decisions taken at closed door sessions.
Senator Barnabas Gemade cited orders 42 and 52 and moved a motion on the flood in Benue state also thanked the Vice President Professor Osinbajo for visiting the scene.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said it happened during the recess and sent his sympathy to affected individuals.
Senate resolved to:
1. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials.
2. Urge the Federal Government to assist Benue State.
3. Send a delegation to visit the flood victims.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS - SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to repeal the National Commission for Refugees Act, CAP N21 LFN 2004 and enact the National Commission for Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Migrants to provide a framework for management, rehabilitation, return, reintegration and resettlement of victims of displacement, refugee, migration, 2017 (SB. 335) by Senator Ubali M. Shitu.
Senator Jibrin Barau supported the bill and said there is a need to revitalize the National Commission for Refugees.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu commended the bill and said this will improve the conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and also encouraged foreign donors.
The Bill for an Act to repeal the National Commission for Refugees Act was read the second time and passed.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu referred the BILL to the Committee on Special duties and Interior to report back in 4weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to regulate the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution and quality control of fertilizer in Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 338) by Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu said Nigeria has one of the lowest qualities of fertilizers in the world.The bill will provide inspection, analysis, good branding, authenticity across the 36 states of the federation and will also provide laboratories to ensure proper clinical analysis.
Senator Abdullahi Sabi described the bill as timely and one that will contribute the in supporting the Economic development of the country. He said this will boost the productivity of farmers.Senator Abdullahi Sabi berated the quality of fertilizers being sold to farmers which affects the quality of crops produced.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the bill is for concurrence and has gone through Legislative procedures at the House of Representatives , also said we need proper regulation and production.
The bill for an Act to Regulate the Manufacture, Quality of fertilizers was read the second time and passed.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill for an Act to regulate the manufacture, quality of fertilizers to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural development to report back in 4 weeks.
3. A Bill for an Act to amend the Fire Arms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 to provide for increase of fine and provide for destruction of firearms illegally imported into the country or in possession of individuals without valid license, 2017 (SB. 489) by Senator Gbonlahan Dada.
Senator Gbolahan Dada asked valid questions like how seized illegal firearms are destroyed and how they find their way back. He said there is a lack of embargo on such imported Arms from foreign countries.
Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi encouraged the Senate to stand firm on establishing firm control of fire arms to unlicensed individuals.
Senator Buhari Abdulfatai urged the Senate to implement appropriate punishments in form of fines to involved individuals.
Senate President Bukola Saraki urged that laws be put in place to regulate the shipping agents of such illegal fire Arms.
The Bill for an Act to amend the Fire Arms Act was read the second time and passed.
Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill for an Act to amend the Fire Arms Act to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters to report back in 4 weeks.
4. A Bill for an Act to amend the Border Communities Development Agency, 2017 (SB. 523) by Senator Abdullahi Gumel.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said it’s a straight forward bill.
The Bill for an Act to amend the Border Communities Development Agency was read the second time and passed.
Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill for an Act to amend the Border Communities Development Agency to the Committee on States and local Governments to report back in 4 weeks.
5. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigeria Police Development Fund, 2017 (SB. 433) by Senator Abu Ibrahim.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said there is a need to fund the Nigerian Police adequately and adhere to the laws of the land. He stated that we need decentralization such that the police agencies are properly regulated in units, I support this bill. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the performance of police is a security matter, it’s ok if we allocate parts of the Federal funds, I’m against decentralizing the Nigerian Police.
Senator James Manager said the centralization of the Nigerian Police disrupts the proper function of the activities.
Senator Na’Allah said even with the funding,assistance of Local and States Government doesn’t still reflect our needs, the bill should be read the 2nd time.
‘We need a strong public hearing to have the input of all stakeholders'.-Senator Akpabio.
The Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Police Development Fund was read the second time and passed.
‘We need to fund the Nigerian Police adequately, also there are issues outside funding, this can be addressed at the public hearing’.- Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Police Development Fund to the Committee on Police affairs and Judiciary and Legal Matters to report back in 4weeks.
6. A Bill for an Act to amend the Mortgage Institutions and Allied Matters Act, 2017 (SB. 214) by Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim.
The Bill for an Act to amend the Mortgage Institutions and Allied Matters Act was read the second time and passed.
Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked his colleagues for their contributions, he said it is a sector that will provide industries that would help to improve the economy and create jobs.
Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill for an Act to amend the Mortgage Institutions and Allied Matters Act to the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions to report back in 4weeks.
7. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Law Reform Act CAP N118 LFN 2004 to remove the bottleneck to the Commission’s Reform Initiative, ensure its autonomy and bring the Act in conformity with the provisions of 1999 constitution (as amended), 2017 (SB. 26) by Senator Jide Omoworare.
The Bill for an Act to amend the Nigerian law reform commission Act was read the second time and passed.
Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill for an Act to amend the Nigerian law reform commission Act to the Committee on Judiciary, Human rights and Legal Matters and to report back in 4weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 28th September, 2017.
GavelBangs
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of The President of the Senate,Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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