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WEDNESDAY, 28TH NOVEMBER, 2018
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 11:00am.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 27th November 2018. Senator Suleiman Adokwe seconded.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senator Ahmad Lawan announced the defection of Senator Joshua Lidani from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
PETITION
Senator Isah Misau raised a petition against unauthorized withdrawals from the NNPC account.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Dino Melaye cited Orders 42 and 52, informed the Senate that the government of Kogi State signed a loan of $500Million without the approval of the National Assembly or Kogi State House of Assembly.
“This is unacceptable, this State is in so much debt. There is no law that allows a Governor to withdraw $500Million without approval from the Senate.”- Senator Atai Aidoko.
“The State has not been paying salaries, where is all this money going? Let us do the needful and put these loans to an end.”- Senator Atai Aidoko.
“There are comments and allegations that we must first decide. We must refer it to the Committee on Local Debt and we are supposed to set up an Ad-hoc Committee and give them a maximum of 48 hours to report back on whether this loan has been taken, the process to which these loans have been taken and that such actions should be suspended until we establish it them. Let us allow our Committee to establish the status of the point you raised.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Senate resolved to:
Refer the Point of Order to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debt to come back with a report within 48 hours or a maximum of 5 days
Senator Bassey Akpan cited Order 43, updated the Senate on the siege of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly by the Nigeria Police. “Just yesterday at 6am, 100 policemen led the 5 suspended members into the Chambers of the State House of Assembly.”
“When we hear of an invasion, we must defend our democracy irrespective of which state. Whether it’s an invasion on this Parliament or anywhere else in this country, we must stand and say what is right. At the end of the day, we will still refer the matter to the Committee on Police to do the work that has to be done.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“Within the next 48 hours, we should look into this matter and invite the Police and then get a report to find out exactly what has happened. However, this parliament must stand for the fact that we must protect the Legislative arm of Government with no interference.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“We will not conclude on this until we get a report. Any issue which suggests that a minority of members are being supported by security agencies is not something that we should be seen to stand for.” – Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
“The Committee’s Report will guide us to confirm exactly what happened in Akwa Ibom.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Senator Mohammed Hassan cited Order 42, informed the Senate that the Nigerian Ports Authority reported a gross revenue of N303 Billion, and there was N177 Billion surplus.
“We raised the observations of these irregularities to the Nigerian Ports Authority and six months later there was no word from them. I ask that we look into this.”- Senator Mohammed Hassan.
“Let us not be in a haste to determine this matter based on these figures until further action is taken.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“This issue should be brought at a Committee level. I believe this is the right thing to do.”- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
“The Committee to sit and look into the issues raised by Senator Mohammed Hassan. The Committee should determine whether there was an operating surplus and give us a report in three days.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Delegation to Kogi State Governor on the Attempted Assassination of Senator Dino Melaye by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded that the Senate do receive the Report of the Delegation to Kogi State Governor on the Attempted Assassination of Senator Dino Melaye.
The Report was LAID.
2. Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Economic Waste at the Nigeria Customs Service by Senator Dino Melaye.
Senator Jide Omoworare seconded that the Senate do receive the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Economic Waste at the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Report was LAID.
3. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu in respect of:
a. Petition from Yusuf Saidu against the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for non-payment of his salary and entitlements by the Bureau;
b. Petition from Mr. Musa Adesina Akinyemi against the Nigerian Shippers Council for his dismissal from the service of the council without any wrongdoing; and
c. Petition from Mr. C.A.C. Joseph (KSJI) against the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu for alleged unjust retirement from service.
Senator Tijjani Kaura seconded that the Senate do receive the Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above.
The Report was LAID.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Confirmation of Olanikekun Olukoyede, Esq for Appointment as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the Confirmation of Olanikekun Olukoyede, Esq for Appointment as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
The appointment of Olanikekun Olukoyede, Esq was Confirmed as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
#TodayInSenatePlenary
2. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 407) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
3. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic Daura (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 465) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
4. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University of Education Aguleri, Anambra State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 653) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
5. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 630) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
6. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic, Ikom, Cross River State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 672) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
7. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic Langtang, Plateau State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 627) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
8. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal College of Education, Usugbenu-Irrua (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 554) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
9. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University of Technology Manchok (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 536) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
10. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 519) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
11. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic Kwale, Delta State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 603) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Gilbert Nnaji seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the Reports of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the above Bills.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Reports of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the above Bills.
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 407) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal Polytechnic Daura (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 465) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal University of Education Aguleri, Anambra State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 653) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
National Institute of Construction Technology and Management (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 630) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal Polytechnic, Ikom, Cross River State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 672) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal Polytechnic Langtang, Plateau State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 627) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal College of Education, Usugbenu-Irrua (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 554) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal University of Technology Manchok (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 536) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 519) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
Federal Polytechnic Kwale, Delta State (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 603) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
“I want to thank the Senate for the expeditious conclusion of the consideration of these Bills. It is a good thing that we have done our part in creating more schools and opportunities for our children.”-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 29th November, 2018.
#GavelBangs
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
