#TodayInSenatePlenary PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 21ST FEBRUARY, 2018
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:51am.
Senator Obinna Ogba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 20th February, 2018. Senator Barau Jibrin seconded.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu announced Senators: Victor Umeh, Andrew Uchendu, Binta Masi, Ali Wakili, Abdulfatai Buhari, Ubali Shittu as members of the committee to pay a condolence visit to the family of Late Senator John Shagaya and Senator Suleiman Adokwe as Chairman of the committee.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu read a letter from the Northern Senators forum on the removal of Senator Abdulahi Adamu as their Chairman. Senator Wamakko Aliyu has been announced as the new Chairman of the Forum.
PETITIONS
Senator Shehu Sani raised a petition on behalf of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) of Kaduna State for unpaid salaries.
Senator Dino Melaye raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member on unlawful termination of employment and requested to be reinstated.
Senator Foster Ogola raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member who was shot without verification by the police and is laying paralyzed in the hospital, seeking payment of treatment by the police.
Senator Mohammed Hassan raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member whose salary was stopped by the Nigerian navy.
Senator Clifford Ordia raised a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency to be allowed to retire from the Nigerian navy and be paid all his entitlements.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred all petitions to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Ovie Omo Agege cited order 43 and apologized to the Senate over his role in condemning the sequence of election.
Senator Suleiman Adokwe cited order 43 and drew the attention of the Senate that 13th February every year is set aside as world Radio Day.
“We need to urge the Federal Government to adequately fund Radio Nigeria, also to avoid their platforms to be used for hate speech and dissemination of wrongful information.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 519) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 519) was read the First Time.
National Biotechnology Development Agency (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
National Biotechnology Development Agency (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) was read the First Time.
Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 615) by Senator Foster Ogola.
Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 615) was read the First Time.
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 537) by Senator Rose Oko.
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 537) was read the First Time.
National Commission for the prohibition of the importation of small arms, ammunition and light weapons (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 339) by Senator Suleiman Nazif.
National Commission for the prohibition of the importation of small arms, ammunition and light weapons (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 339) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF A REPORT
Report of the committee on Public Accounts on the status of compliance of parastatals submission of audited accounts and auditors report there on to the office of the Auditor- General for the Federation by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
Senator Bassey Akpan seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Public Accounts on the status of compliance of parastatals submission of audited accounts and auditors report there on to the office of the Auditor- General for the Federation.
The Report was LAID.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS-Second Reading
A Bill for an Act to establish the City University of Technology Auchi and for other connected matters Bill, 2018 (SB. 447) by Senator Francis Alimikhena.
“Converting Polytechnics to Universities is not too good. This is so because the aim of polytechnic is for technical empowerment for the economy.”- Senator Sam Egwu.
“I fully support this Bill, this is as a result of the effort to equate the qualifications of university and polytechnic graduates over the years have so far proved abortive. I see no wrong if all polytechnics are converted.”- Senator Shehu Sani.
A Bill for an Act to establish the City University of Technology Auchi and for other connected matters Bill, 2018 (SB. 447) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in 4 weeks.
“The committee should please make sure that there's fair distribution of higher institutions across states and Senatorial districts, the committee should also look at the lingering NASUU strike going on nationwide so as to provide necessary resolutions.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Senator Barau Jibrin cited order 43 and said there is a modality adopted in the Senate on the establishment of universities but there has been a contravention to the set modality, seeks that rules and business be mandated to process bills in compliance with the resolutions.
A Bill for an Act to establish the National Youth Development Commission and for other matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB. 385) by Senator Obinna Ogba.
A Bill for an Act to establish the National Youth Development Commission and for other matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB. 385) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Sports and Youth Development to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Press Council Act 1992 as amended and to enact thereof the Nigerian Press Council Act 2018 and for related purposes, 2018 (SB. 547) by Senator Suleiman Adokwe.
“I fully support this Bill, if the Bill is enacted it will put an end to all sort of news published.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
A Bill for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Press Council Act 1992 as amended and to enact thereof the Nigerian Press Council Act 2018 and for related purposes, 2018 (SB. 547) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Information and National Orientation to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act CAP C4 LFN 2004 and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 448) by Senator Sam Anyanwu.
“I support this Bill in a way, I will urge the committees concerned to perform their oversight functions. However to promote efficiency, I will recommend that there should be a proper public hearing.”- Senator James Manager.
“I support this Bill whole heartedly, it will be very good to seperate the two offices for proper administrative empathy.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
“I strongly support that the CBN budget be brought to the floor of the Senate for debate and approval.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“I support the Bill, however, the budget of CBN is always brought to the National Assembly for approval.”- Senator Adamu Aliero.
“The CBN of any country is a pivotal institution. However, if we choose to seperate the office of chairman and governor of CBN, it’s our right. I will want us not to do so I order not to regret in the future.”- Senator Olusola Adeyeye.
“I will encourage a public hearing on this matter. However, revenue mobilization Act does not have CBN on their list. Also the CBN is tasked with the duty to subject their budget to the Ministry of Finance before approval.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
A Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act CAP C4 LFN 2004 and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 448) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an Act to amend the National College Act CAP N82 LFN 2004 to provide for change of name to National Defence College and other connected purposes, 2018 (SB. 551) by Senator Hope Uzodinma.
A Bill for an Act to amend the National College Act CAP N82 LFN 2004 to provide for change of name to National Defence College and other connected purposes, 2018 (SB. 551) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Defence to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an Act to translate and expand the educational policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on access to educational services by institutionalize has open distance learning in collaboration with National Universities Commission and National Board for technical education and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 332) by Senator Aliyu Sabi.
“This is the age of e-learning and this Bill should be sent to the appropriate committee.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
A Bill for an Act to translate and expand the educational policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on access to educational services by institutionalize has open distance learning in collaboration with National Universities Commission and National Board for technical education and for related matters, 2018 (SB. 332) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in 4 weeks.
A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Item to provide full time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of the polytechnic, 2018 (SB. 520) by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
“I support this Bill. This will empower skills among graduates from the universities.”- Senator Sam Egwu.
“I support this Bill and I think the number of polytechnics are too small compared to universities.”- Senator Ibrahim Gobir.
A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Item to provide full time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of the polytechnic, 2018 (SB. 520) was read the Second Time.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in 4 weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 22nd February, 2018.
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Comments
Post a Comment