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Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:51am.
Senator Kabiru Gaya moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 10th October, 2018. Senator Jeremiah Useni seconded.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Emmanuel Paulker cited Order 43 and moved a motion on the death of Late Senator David Cobbina Brigidi who was a Senator in the fourth republic.
“Only a few senators here on the floor met Senator Brigidi. He was intelligent and didn’t hide his feelings on any national issue. He was a man of the moment who stood for the integrity of the Nigerian Senate. Bayelsa State and this Senate will miss Senator Brigidi.”-Senator James Manager.
Senate resolved to:
I. Observe a minute silence in his honour; and
II. Revisit the resolution of the 7th Senate on the immortalization of Late Senators.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading
National Housing Fund Act CAP N45 LFN 2004 (repeal & re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1077) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
National Housing Fund Act CAP N45 LFN 2004 (repeal & re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1077) was read the First Time.
Procurement Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 697) by Senator Magnus Abe.
Procurement Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 697) was read the First Time.
NDDC Act 2000 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 700) by Senator Stella Oduah.
NDDC Act 2000 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 700) was read the First Time.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Confirmation of nomination of the following persons for appointment as Chairman and members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
1. Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye- Chairman (Osun, South-West).
2. Dr. Grace N. Chinda- Member (Delta, South-South).
3. Okolo Titus M.- Member (Enugu, South-East).
4. Barr. Obiora Igwedebia- Member (Anambra, South-West).
5. Mrs. Olubukola Balogun- Member (Lagos, South-West).
6. Justice Adams Bello- Member (Katsina, North-West).
7. Hannatu Muhammed- Member (Jigawa, North-West).
8. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu- Member (Niger, North-Central).
9. Yahaya Umar Dauda- Member (Nassarawa, North-Central).
Senator Biodun Olujimi seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President on the confirmation of nomination of the above persons for appointment as Chairman and members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the executive communication to the Committee on Anti-Corruption to report back in 2 weeks.
MOTION
1. Recent flooding across the country by Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Stella Oduah.
”Everyone is aware of the devastating result of this flood. Our primary responsibility is to protect lives and properties. I am personally affected; if I go home I have nowhere to go. It is getting worse year by year.”- Senator James Manager.
“Government must do something otherwise our people will be in real trouble. NEMA alone cannot handle this, the government must intervene. If we are not careful it will consume all of us.”- Senator James Manager.
“I come from Ringim where seasonal flooding is recurrent. We lost 7 people and 200 houses submerged. A lot of rice fields were destroyed. I want to add that the people of Jigawa state need relief of food and clothing and material to build destroyed houses.”- Senator Abdullahi Gumel.
“The National Government should direct NEMA and other related agencies to make relief items available. I recommend we observe a minute silence for lost lives.”- Senator Abdullahi Gumel.
“We must be doing something wrong. This is a perennial issue and we keep lamenting. There needs to be a major stakeholders meeting to see what we are going to do. People are in serious agony.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi.
“What is happening now is nothing but climate change; it is a world phenomenon. It is beyond man. There is nothing we can do about it All we can do is educate our people on where to build houses.”-Senator Sam Egwu.
“As I speak, Bayelsa is submerged. For some of us living in the riverine areas, our rivers cannot contain this volume of water. There must more effort by experts to come up with intermediary steps to have a roadmap. Government must rise to provide temporary solutions.”- Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
“It is technical and must be looked into comprehensively. Most of the issues are reactive components; we need to be more proactive.”-Senator Aliyu Sabi.
“Some people refuse to leave their residential areas when alternative provision has been made for them. This issue is multi-dimensional. I recommend that the Federal Government work with all communities involved to provide a lasting solution.”-Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“This problem is a global phenomenon. We have to accept that global warming is everywhere. NEMA is overstretched and cannot solve these problems. Institutions need to be strengthened and planning has to be involved, people build houses in high-risk areas with no planning or supervision at all.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“People cannot be allowed to build and live anywhere as though they live in a jungle. Most dams cannot hold all that water as well and refuse is dumped in drainages, rendering them useless during the rainy season.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“Most of our rivers and waterways have become so shallow due to accumulation of sand dunes and as such, when there is heavy downpour of rain, the dams overflow and affect villages and nearby settlements.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“More provision need to be made for displaced persons and funding for dredging must be provided to tackle this challenge. Let the Senate and NASS approve funding for this to be done yearly during the dry season.” -Senator Victor Umeh.
“The government must review its policies on bilateral agreement that have to do with water. People with ancestral homes in high risk areas find it difficult to move out and must be settled. The Water Bill must be revisited in order to tackle these issues.” -Senator Binta Masi Garba.
“I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the Niger State and Federal Government move people out of the danger zones. We should also think more of renewable energy in order to steer us away from traditional means of generating energy through dams.” -Senator David Umaru.
“Stakeholders must meet to end this issue of flooding. Town planners, environmental experts and others need to come together because NEMA cannot do this alone.”- Senator Sam Anyawu.
“Kogi is one of the most devastated states in this flooding problem as about 7 local governments are currently under water. The number of agencies to meet these issues need to be increased including the funding for NEMA and other agencies.”- Senator Atai Aidoko.
“A committee needs to be created to deal with this matter once and for all.”-Senator Barau Jibrin.
“There was no prior communication and so we did not expect this much water. Agencies involved in these matters should be able to alert everyone for proper preparation.”- Senator Gumau Lawal.
Senate resolved to:
I. Urge NEMA to send relief materials to the affected victims in Kano state and other states of the federation;
II. Urge the Federal Government to convene a stakeholders meeting in collaboration with the Cameroonian Government to ex-ray the recurring situation with the view to preferring a lasting solution to flood disasters;
III. Urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to rehabilitate existing fans and dredge the major rivers to be able to take in flood waters;
IV. Commend NEMA, PCFR and other relevant agencies, organizations and individuals whose efforts in creating awareness has led to reduction in casualty level;
V. Set up a Federal Ad-Hoc committee comprising of chairmen and vice-chairmen of the Ministry of Environment to discuss solutions; and
VI. Set up an Ad-Hoc committee to critically analyze the Water Bill.
“Thank you for your patience in listening to the various contributions. Almost every state was affected and so a lot of us had to speak on behalf of our people. We thank God because flooding is not an easy thing to manage. I wish to appeal to the movers of this motion to ensure that these decisions we implemented.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“This is a yearly occurrence and as such, provision must be made as even schools were affected. I appeal to our respective governments to make provision for those affected.” -Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population on the commission Screening of Twenty Three(23) Nominees for Confirmation of Appointment as Commissioners by Senator Suleiman O. Hunkuyi.
Senator Yusuf Yusuf seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission on the screening of twenty three (23) nominees for confirmation of appointment as commissioners for National Population Commission.
The report was LAID.
Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi presented the report.
“Dr. Abdul Malik Mohammed Durnnguwa’s nomination was stood down due to questionable certificates.”- Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi.
“When you have questionable certifications, it is the duty of the Committee to verify.”- Senator Ali Ndume.
“These screenings were done for months and now it is not right to give an individual another two weeks. We cannot function that way.”- Senator Sam Egwu.
“My concern is whether he took WAEC and passed.”- Senator Gumel Abdullahi.
“Let us take a decision on what the committee should do. The principal of the institution should be invited to verify.”- Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
“The Committee should be given four weeks to report back on this issue.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration on the screening of twenty three (23) nominees for confirmation of appointment as commissioners for National Population Commission.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Nwanne Nwabuisi
Dr. Clifford T. O Zirra
Dr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke mni
Barr. Isa Audu Buratai
Navy Captain Charles Iyam Ogwa
Sir Richard Odibo
Okereke Darlington Onuabuchi
Mr. A.d. Olusegun Aiyejina
Ejike Ezeh
Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Danburam
Prof. Uba S. F. Nnabue
Suleiman Ismaila Lawal
Prof. Jimoh Habibat Isah
Dr. Sa'adu Ayinla Alanamu
Nasir Isa Kwarra
Barr. Aliyu Datti
Yeye (Mrs.) Seyi Adereinokun Olusanya
Prince (Dr.) Olanadiran Garvey Iyantan
Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussain
Mrs. Cecillia Arsun Dapoet
Dr. Ipalibo Macdonald Harry
Sale S. Saany
were confirmed as commissioners for the National Population Commission.
The confirmation of Dr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Durnnguwa was referred back to the Committee for further legislative action.
“Thank you all for your patience and congratulations to all those nominated and confirmed. The issue of population is vital to us as a country and so planning is important. There is a lot of planning involved and we hope these commissioners live up to expectation and provide a credible census. We wish them all the best.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Report of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 election budget by Senator Goje Danjuma.
Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 election budget.
The report was LAID.
Senator Goje Danjuma presented the report.
Senator Danjuma Goje commended the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for his sound leadership as he presents the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 election budget report.
“This issue was only referred to the Committee yesterday. I commend Sen. Goje, Sen. Nazif and their respective committees for their hard work. Now that the issue of INEC is settled, I suggest that both reports be consolidated into one report so we can send it as a single report to the president.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“Let us not wait for other agencies’ budgets to be ready before we pass this bill. Let us pass the INEC bill immediately.”- Senator Kabiru Gaya.
“We have invited the security agencies today by 12 to defend their budgets. Let us treat the INEC budget and the security agency budget separately even though they were brought in together.”- Senator Adamu Aliero.
“Let us approve this INEC budget. Because we need to scrutinize, our committees need to work on this till next week in order to cover all areas.” - Senate Leader.
“INEC has already complained that there has been a delay in receiving their required funding. This matter requires a high level of urgency. We should approve the INEC budget immediately.” -Senator Barau Jibrin.
“I believe we should approve the INEC budget . As a member of the Committee, I know we worked very hard to arrive at these figures you see here today and I understand it is imperative that we approve this.” - Senator Mohammed Hassan.
“The committee considered President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for N242 billion for INEC and security agencies to conduct the election.”- Senator Danjuma Goje
“The Committee recommended that the money be vired from the Special Intervention Programme under the Service Wide Vote of the 2018 Appropriation Act.”- Senator Danjuma Goje.
Senate passed N234 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission in the 2018 budget.
This figure includes N189 billion requested by INEC to conduct the 2019 general elections and N45 billion provided for the commission under statutory transfer with the N189 billion be vired from both recurrent and capital components of the Special Intervention Programme captured in the Service Wide Vote of the 2018 Appropriation Act.
“I want to thank those who had series of meetings with parties involved in order to make this a possibility.” -Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced that members of the Committee on Appropriation and finance have a meeting with security agencies and are thereby excused for that purpose.
Conference Committee report on the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 (HB. 107) by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
Senator Sam Egwu seconded that the Senate do consider the Conference Committee report on the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2018 (HB. 107).
Senator Matthew Urhoghide presented the report.
The report was approved.
“This piece of legislation is one of our major contributions in the fight against corruption. Thank you again for concluding this piece of legislation and I hope this bill is properly effected.” - Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
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, 16th October, 2018.
#GavelBangs
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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