TodayInSenatePlenary
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF Wednesday, 23rd November, 2022
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 10:52am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Obinna Ogba moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 22nd November, 2022.
Senator Isah Jibrin seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President Ahmad Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on:
- Submission of the 2021-2022 Budget Estimate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
- Transmission of 2023 Budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
- Confirmation of Appointment of Chairman and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
i. Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie – Chairman – Delta State – South-South
ii. Dimgba Erugba – State Representative – Abia State – South-East
iii. Dr. Emem Wilcos Wills – State Representative – Akwa-Ibom State –South-South
iv. Elder Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa State – South-South
v. Hon. Orok Duke – State Representative – Cross River State – South-South
vi. Dr. Pius Egberanwen Odudu – State Representative – Edo State – South-South
vii. Engr. Anthony Okanne – State Representative – Imo State – South-East
viii. Hon. Gbenga Edema – State Representative – Ondo State – South-West
ix. Elekwachi Dinkpa – State Representative – Rivers State – South-South
x. Alh. Mohammed Kabir Abubakar – Zonal Representative – Nasarawa State – North Central
xi. Alh. Sule-Iko Sadeeq Sani Sami – Zonal Representative – Kebbi State – North-West
xii. Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON – Zonal Represenative – Adamawa State – North-East
xiii. Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director for a term of two years, to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor in office – Bayelsa State – South-South
xiv. Major General Charles Airhiavbere – Executive Director (Finance) – Edo State – South-South
xv. Charles B. Ogunmola – Executive Director (Projects) – Ondo State – South-West
POINT OF ORDER
- Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege cited Order 42 to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the list of nominees into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He however raised concern over the absence of a representative from Delta State among the nominees to be confirmed and sought the leadership of the Senate to reach out to the Executive to correct the abnormally.
- Senator George Sekibo cited Order 52(6), 71(2), 10, and 11 to urge the Senate to follow due process and do the right thing in confirming the nominees of the NDDC Board.
- Senator Isah Jibrin cited Order 41 and 51 to seek the leave of the Senate to present a motion on the tanker explosion in Ofu Local Council of Kogi State, where eight lives were lost.
Senate resolved to:
i. Urge National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intervene in the plight of victims of petrol tankers explosion in Ofu Local Council through provision of palliatives to the victims;
ii. Urge the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to interface with the relevant stakeholders to make it compulsory for petroleum tanker owners to take out insurance covering damages from petrol tanker explosions to third parties in the event of loses to third parties;
iii. Mandate the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to commence certification of petrol tankers as a condition precedent to plying Nigerian roads with petroleum products and other inflammable substances; and
iv. Observe a minute silence in honour of the departed souls in the Ofu tanker explosion.
- Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited Order 42 to inform the Senate on the demise of Professor Ikechukwu Okonkwo.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the departed soul.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
- Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2018 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1075) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2018 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1075) was read the First Time.
- Extradition Act Cap E25 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1076) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Extradition Act Cap E25 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1076) was read the First Time.
- Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Orerkpe (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 663) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Orerkpe (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 663) was read the First Time.
- Chartered Institute of Development and Social Studies Bill, 2022 (HB. 1380) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Chartered Institute of Development and Social Studies Bill, 2022 (HB. 1380) was read the First Time.
- Federal Inland Revenue Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1063) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal Inland Revenue Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1063) was read the First Time.
RE-COMMITTAL OF BILLS
- Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022;
- Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria Bill, 2022; and
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Bill, 2022.
Senate rescind its decision on the Bills as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for re-consideration and passage.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the three reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
- Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 and approved Clauses 1-19 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
- Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria Bill, 2022
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria Bill, 2022 and approved Clauses 1-21 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria Bill, 2022 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Bill, 2022
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Chartered Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Bill, 2022 and approved Clauses 1-19 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Chartered Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Bill, 2022 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
- Report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts
Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance as refund to Taraba and Yobe States Government for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government by Senator Clifford Odia
Senator Clifford Odia moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance as refund to Taraba and Yobe States Government for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf seconded.
Senator Clifford Odia laid and presented the report.
Senate approved the recommendations of the Committee on the report as amended.
- Report of the Committee on Trade and Investment
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 824) by Senator Saidu Alkali
Senator Saidu Alkali 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 Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 824) and stood down the consideration of the report till another legislative day.
- Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau
Senator Ibrahim Shekarau moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on:
i. Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Act No. 76 1993 Cap A26 LFN (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 885);
ii. National Environmental Research and Training Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 527); and
iii. Microbiology Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 139).
Senator Matthew Urhoghide seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Shekarau
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
i. Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Act No. 76 1993 Cap A26 LFN (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 885)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Act No. 76 1993 Cap A26 LFN (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 885) and approved Clauses 1-13 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Act No. 76 1993 Cap A26 LFN (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 885) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. National Environmental Research and Training Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 527)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Environmental Research and Training Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 527) and approved Clauses 1-16 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
National Environmental Research and Training Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 527) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
iii. Microbiology Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 139)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Microbiology Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 139) and approved Clauses 1-21 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Microbiology Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 139) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
MOTIONS
- Need for Senate intervention in the ongoing bid to concession the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant in Niger State by Senator Gabriel Suswam and Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
“I stand to support this motion. This contract was awarded at $1.3 billion with Nigerian government going to partake with the tune of about 25%. As I am talking, this project is within my Senatorial district and has not yet been completed. Looking at the amount that has been spent in that project, we do not have the capacity to be able to take all the power that it would generate into the national grid. I doubt if we would be able to take up to 50% now we are talking about concessioning it when it is not yet commissioned. This motion has captured almost everything that we should consider. That project is located in Shiroro Local Government so even the nomenclature of that project is wrong. Why do we have to concession that plant at this moment? Even the BPE knows that all is not set in that place. My constituents have not been compensated, they cannot even farm because whenever they release the water there is always flood there. The ones we have concessioned, what have we achieved? I stand to second this motion and we should call BPE to order to suspend it until when all this clear.” – Senator Sani Musa
“I think that we have to protect the wealth of Nigerians and the best opportunity we have is to question decisions that are taken without proper thinking. I therefore support this motion.” – Senator Sadiq Umar
“The whole exercise is highly suspicious. We have not finished the project and we are rushing to concession the project. Why the rush? And besides, some concession had been done on our power asset before now. Our major problem that has impeded our nation is that of power. Let this people allow this project to be completed before taking any action.” – Senator Barau Jibrin
“I support this motion and also to draw the attention of the Senate that Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant is not within the project of BPE to privatize. BPE can’t concession a project that is incomplete. I support the motion and want the Senate to intervene.” – Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf
Senate resolved to:
i. Mandate the Committee on Power to investigate the circumstances and conditions under which the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant is being concessioned particularly as it relates to the utilization of annual budgetary allocations made to the project, completion level of the project, the management of external loans from the Chinese Exim Bank which are tied to the project, the fate of unsettled host communities where the project is sited, the adequacy or otherwise, of selection criteria for the concessionaire and to generally establish whatever the proposed concession of the ZHPP is an exercise that would ensure that government get the deserved value for funds expended on this project and to report back to the Senate within two weeks; and
ii. Urge the National Council on Privatization and its Secretariat, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and other MDAs concerned to suspend indefinitely the proposed concession of the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant in Niger State pending the conclusion of investigation by the Senate Committee on Power and consequent adoption of the decision of the Senate based on the findings and recommendations of the Committee.
- Urging the Federal Government to promote the development of Classroom/Modern Libraries and a robust reading culture in Nigeria by Senator Frank Ibezim
“I stand to support this motion wholeheartedly because today, the culture of going to the libraries in schools are failing completely. Today, libraries are not event here in schools. While I was in primary and school we used to have a library. I think there is no better time to bring in this motion than now.” – Senator Sani Musa
“The reading culture has collapsed completely. I think we need to encourage our students to read extensively to be able to research vastly to be able to match the certificate they hold and be vast about their environment.” – Senator Emmanuel Bwacha
Senate resolved to:
i. Mandate the Committees on Education (Basic, Secondary and Tertiary) to interact with the Minister of Education with a view to receiving briefing from the Minister on what has been achieved so far regarding provision of Library facilities in schools across Nigeria, and to report back within two weeks;
ii. Direct UBEC and other relevant MDAs to implement IFON Classroom libraries in Primary 1 and 2 classrooms to improve reading culture and enhance foundational education;
iii. Urge the National Orientation Agency and similar agencies to embark on public enlightenment to take seriously the issue of reading and imbibe a good reading culture which has the potential to assist the Government’s efforts on integration and religious intolerance; and
iv. Urge the National Council of Education to set aside a day as an Annual Reading Day to draw attention to the importance of a virile reading culture to national development.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that all other items on the Order Paper be stood down till another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 29th November, 2022.
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New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
