#TodayInSenatePlenary PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 8TH MARCH, 2018.

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:52am.

Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 7th March, 2018. Senator Victor Umeh seconded.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu announced members of the Ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the disruption and violence against the empowerment programme organized by Senator Ahmed Ogembe as Senators: Jeremiah Useni, Isah Misau, Kabir Marafa, Solomon Adeola, Matthew Urhoghide, Chukwuka Utazi and Senator James Manager as the Chairman of the committee.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu announced that members of the Conference Committee on the Demutualization Bill earlier passed should meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives.

Members are Senators: Foster Ogola, Mao Ohuabunwa, Shaaba Lafiagi, Abu Ibrahim, John Enoh and Senator Bukar Mustapha as Chairman of the Committee.

POINT OF ORDER

Senator David Umaru cited orders 42 &52 and moved a motion on the fire disaster in Bida, Niger State.

Senator Dino Melaye seconded the motion raised.

“I send my sympathy to the affected people of Bida, Niger State.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

Senate resolved to:

I. Commiserate with the affected traders and the government of Niger State on this unfortunate incident;

II. Urge the Niger State to work with relevant LGA council to improve on sanitation, water supply in order to minimize fire outbreak;

III. Urge the Niger State Government to equip and retrain Niger State Fire Service for effective response;

IV. Urge Mr. President to offer special financial intervention; and

V. Urge NEMA and other relief agencies to offer relief materials to the affected traders.

Senator Dino Melaye cites order 43 and spoke on the arms and equipment that was intercepted by Customs. He states that the Special Assistant on Security to the Governor of Kogi state had come forward to state that the intercepted items belong to the Kogi State Government. After the incident raised by Senator Ogembe, this matter must be investigated immediately by the Adhoc Committee led by Senator James Manager.

“With 2019 around the corner, Arms are being imported by Politicians. I remind them that this is the only Country we have, if we destroy it there will be no where else for us to go."- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senator Obinna Ogba, rose under Order 43 to state that:

There is a plan by some people in this Senate, maybe under the leadership of my Distinguished Colleague, particularly Senator Abdullahi Adamu — Mr. President, you will remember in January, Distinguished Senator Misau made a comment here that there was a plan to remove the Senate President and the Leadership.

“Now, I have reliable information that some people are already planning to destabilize this Senate and the Leadership by organizing a demonstration — of which money is already exchanging hands.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

“Mr. President, I believe that all of us are all leaders in this country and any one of us who sees anything that will destabilise the country, the Senate, or even in our democracy as a whole, we should avoid it.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

“As we are here, if there is any issue that is going on, you have the opportunity to raise it. Not planning with civil organizations and market women to call for a demonstration against the leadership of the Senate.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

“Mr. President, this matter should be investigated properly. I have evidence to show what I am saying. There is a telephone discussion going on, which anyone else can also print out. It is between Senator Abdullahi Adamu and some other people.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

“Mr. President, this is a very serious issue. When Distinguished Senator Misau raised it in January, we didn't take it as anything. Now, we must have to stand up to look into it.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

“If we just treat it with a wave of our hands, when it will happen, I will say “I already said it.” With this, Mr. President, if I have your permission, I will lay my document.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the order cited by Senator Obinna Ogba to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

Senator Biodun Olujimi moved a motion on the International Women’s Day.

Senator Atai Aidoko seconded the motion raised and said women should celebrated.

“Thank you Senator Olujimi. We need to celebrate our women everyday. We must commend them for the jobs they do in their offices and in our homes. We encourage them to hold more leadership positions in the country.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senate resolves to:

I. Felicitate the Nigerian women and girls; and

II. Mandate the Senate committee on Police Affairs and Security to summon the IGP to brief the Senate on the strategies in place to rescue the remaining chibok girls and the dapchi girls.

PRESENTATION OF A REPORT

Report of the committee on Water Resources on the National Water Resources (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 479) by Senator Ubali Shitu.

Senator Suleiman Adokwe seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Water Resources on the National Water Resources (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 479).

The Report was LAID.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS- Second Reading

A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian building and road research institute, 2018 (SB. 452) by Senator Mustapha Bukar.

“This is one of the most innovative bills we’ve had in the Senate. For Nigeria to continue to move forward, we need to move in the innovative line.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.

“Most of the programmes we have in this country do not require any research. We need to do the right thing at the right time.”- Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“Its good for the Federal Government to audit the research institutes we have in Nigeria. If they are not relevant then they should find out why. I think this Bill is proper because research will lead to development.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian building and road research institute, 2018 (SB. 452) was read the Second Time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the committees on Housing, Establishment and Public Service Matters to report back in 4 weeks.

A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Daura 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. 465) by Senator Mustapha Bukar.

“We have seen halls that were designed to accommodate 50 students but now we have 3 - 4 times the number. There are challenges of equipments and materials in these institutions. While we are supporting this Bill i think its time for us to support the Federal Government to ensure that these institutions are properly funded.”- Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“Education can never be cheap. Any cheap education will yield cheap results. We need to ensure that our schools are well established and must ensure access to schools for everyone.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Daura 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. 465) 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.

BILL FOR CONCURRENCE

Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 364 and 656) by Senate Leader.

Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 364 and 656) was read the Second Time.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 364 and 656).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 364 and 656) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

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 Tuesday, 13th March, 2018.

#GavelBangs.

Signed:

New Media Department,

Office of the President of the Senate,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.