. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara presiding.
After leading the opening prayer, the Speaker went on to examine and approve plenary votes and proceedings for Thursday, November 29, 2018
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ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Communication from the President Muhammadu Buhari to decline Presidential assent to the Broadcasting Amendment Bill because it deletes an existing paragraph which grants the Commission essential powers to carry out statutory responsibilities.
2. Defection of Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife from APGA to PDP
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Administration of oath of allegiance to 3 new Members of the House of Representatives as result of by-elections.
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PETITION
1. Hon. Edward Pwajok brought a petition from one of his constituents who was wrongfully terminated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He prayed for the intervention of the House.
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MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
1. Hon. Hon. Badaru Enitan Moved the Motion on the need to save four bridges in Lagos State from collapse due to the persistent parking of trailers on the bridges. He stated that the bridges were not structured to accommodate these long periods for which the heavy vehicles have been parked on them. Hon. Enitan also lamented that the gridlock caused by these parked vehicles have recently been used to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens of the area. He called on the House to mandate the trailer drivers to relocate and utilize the dedicated park created for them. As an infrastructure related Motion, it was Voted on and Passed.
2. Hon. Mohammed Sani Moved the Motion on the need for Legislative intervention to maintain Industrial peace in Nigeria. He expressed worry on the reluctant actions from the Presidency to discharge necessary measures to avoid Labour disagreements by transmitting the industrial tripartite agreement on labor to the National Assembly for consideration, this he said will forestall the impending Union strike and ensure the strike action by the Academic Unions of the Tertiary Education Sector is called off. The Motion was Voted on and Passed.
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PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Committee on Banking and Currency:
Hon. Jones Chukwudi Onyereri:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Banking and Currency on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act, Cap. A24A, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Related Matters (HB.1083)” (Referred: 24/10/2017).
2. Committee on Banking and Currency:
Hon. Jones Chukwudi Onyereri:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Banking and Currency on a Bill for an Act to Establish and Regulate the Nigerian Assets Management Agency charged with Responsibility of Managing all Government Assets, including those Seized, Forfeited or Taken over by Federal Security Bodies; and for Related Matters (HB. 1088)” (Referred: 4/10/2017).
3. Committee on Banking and Currency:
Hon. Jones Chukwudi Onyereri:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Banking and Currency on a Bill for an Act to Provide for and Regulate Assignment of Receivable by making Provisions for Registration thereof as well as the Rights and Obligations of Parties to Contracts for Assignment of Receivables; and for Related Matters (HBs. 805 and 1499) (Referred: 16/5/2018).
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4. Committee on Banking and Currency:
Hon. Jones Chukwudi Onyereri:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Banking and Currency on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Foreign Exchange Bill to Establish a Foreign Exchange Market and to Provide for the Regulation, Monitoring and Supervision of the Transactions conducted in the Market; and for Related Matters (HB. 1066)” (Referred: 16/5/2018).
5. Committee on Public Petitions:
Petition by Alhaji Alih:
Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Alhaji Alih against the Public Complaints Commission on alleged wrongful dismissal from service” (Referred: 15/3/2017).
6. Committee on Public Petitions:
Petition by V. O Efurhievwe and Associates:
Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by V. O Efurhievwe and Associates against the Nigerian Gas Company on the alleged Non-payment of Compensation from the effects of Environmental Pollution caused by the Nigerian Gas Company” (Referred: 5/7/218)
7. Committee on Public Petitions:
Petition by Ukpebor, Ukpebor & Co.:
Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Ukpebor, Ukpebor & Co. against the Nigerian Gas Company on the bubbling of Gas from the Nigerian Gas Company’s Rusted Pipeline in Okpeke Clan, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State” (Referred: 3/5/2018).
8. Committee on Public Petitions:
Petition by Prince Chibudom Nwuche, Former Deputy Speaker:
Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Prince Chibudom Nwuche, Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation on attempted assassination and robbery” (Referred: 16/5/2017).
9. Committee on Public Petitions:
Petition by Quadri Taura:
Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Quadri Taura against the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) on the injustice meted out to him by the Management” (Referred: 10/3/2016).
Reports 5-9 Stepped down by leave of the House.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Projects Development Agency (PRODA), Enugu to Conduct Scientific, Engineering and Technological Research aimed at facilitating the Domestication and Industrialization of Appropriate Technology for Socio-Economic Advancement of Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1542) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Abonta Moved for the Second Reading of the Bill and it was Seconded by Hon. Chukwuka Onyema. In leading the debate, Hon. Abonta stated that the Bill seeks to legalize and create the adequate Legal framework and backing of the Agency (PRODA) which has already been in existence. The lack of the legal framework limits the effect of the discharge of the duties the Agency is supposed to carry out which is critical in the scientific and technological development of the country. Hon. Chris Azubogu stressed the importance of research and development to technological advancement and the functions of PRODA will ensure its smooth development. The Bill was Voted on, Passed for Second Reading and Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology.
2. A Bill for an Act to Regulate International Studies for Wards and Children of Nigerian Public Officers, to Strengthen Indigenous Institutions to Provide efficient Educational Services for National Development; and for Related Matters (HB. 1005) (Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun) – Second Reading.
Bill stepped down for further consideration in order to ensure it does not discriminate against, or infringe on the rights of individuals.
3. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Public Procurement Act, Cap. P 44, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make it Mandatory for 20% of all Public Procurement of the Federal Government in a Financial year to be Awarded to New Indigenous Companies, Indigenous Youths and other Nigerians who fall within the economically disadvantaged Group; and for Related Matters (HBs. 1311 and 1501) (Hon. Afe Olowookere and Hon. Karimi Sunday) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Karimi Sunday Moved for the Second Reading of the Bill and it was Seconded by Hon. Mohammed Aliyu. In leading the debate, Hon. Karimi stated that the Bill aims to improve the lot of the Nigerian youth in ensuring their employment and meaningful engagement is secured to a larger percentage. He stated that by and by if enforced, it would ensure Nigerian companies would be favorably disposed to compete with International ones. He stated that such a policy operates in Ghana and Kenya and it is working there. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that the Bill is a social intervention Bill and should be fine tuned as not to be seen to be relaxing existing Rules and Laws. Hon. Mohammed Monguno praised the Bill for also taking into consideration indigenous small and medium scale enterprises which contribute a whole lot to the national GDP and employ more youth than even Government. Hon. Edward Pwajok stated that the Bill is a progressive piece of legislation that seeks to accommodate local firms and individuals who may not qualify under the current Procurement Act by relaxing the rules a bit in national interest of teeming national entrepreneurs. Hon. Yinka Ajayi stated that the Constitution itself promotes the economic liberalization of the general national public, especially in the spirit of economic diversification. Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas supported the Bill on the premise that it seeks to encourage the economical emancipation of the nationalistic interest. Hon. Nkem Abonta in opposing the Bill stated that it was discriminatory to age brackets and that it seeks to violate the Public Procurement Act. He however supported it to go for Second Reading for fine tuning. Hon. Onyejeocha Nkeiruka stated that the solution is fixing the structural problems of the nation and not allocate non-available funds to individuals as the Bill proposes. The Bill was Voted on, Passed for Second reading and referred to the Committee on Public Procurement.
4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Compulsory Compensation of Victims of Road Accidents by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers or Motor Vehicle Owners and Establish the Road Accidents Victims Compensation Department under the Federal Road Safety Commission; and for Related Matters (HB.1442)(Hon. Wale Raji) – Second Reading.
Bill stepped down by leave of the House due to the absence of its sponsor.
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MOTIONS
5. Rescission of Clause 11 of the Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners in Nigerian Bill, 2018 (HB. 727) Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok:
The House:
Notes that the Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners in Nigerian Bill was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly;
Aware of some fundamental issues that are germane and were observed in Clause 11 of the Bill and the need to address them;
Resolves to:
Rescind its decision on Clause 11 of the Bill and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.
6. Rescission of Clause 18 (2) and (6) of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401) Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok:
The House:
Notes that the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401) was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly;
Aware of some fundamental issues that are germane and were observed in Clause 18 (2) and the need to address them;
Resolves to:
Rescind its decision on Clause 18 (2) and (6) of the Bill and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.
7. Rescission of Clause 4 of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, 2018 (HB. 490) Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok:
The House:
Notes that the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, 2018 (HB. 490) was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly;
Aware of some fundamental issues that are germane and were observed in Clause 4 of the Bill and the need to address them;
Resolves to:
Rescind its decision on Clause 4 of the Bill and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.
8. Rescission of Clauses 7 and 8 of the Chartered Institute of Credit Administration (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425) Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok:
The House:
Notes that the Chartered Institute of Credit Administration (Establishment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425) was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly;
Aware of fundamental issues that are germane and were observed in Clauses 7 and 8 of the Bill and the need to address them;
Resolves to:
Rescind its decision on Clauses 7 and 8 of the Bill and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.
9. Rescission of Clause 13 and paragraph 5 of the Schedule to the Nigerian Film Corporation (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 584) Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives:
Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok:
The House:
Notes that the Nigerian Film Corporation (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 584) was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly;
Aware of some fundamental issues that are germane and were observed in Clause 13 and paragraph 5 of the Schedule to the Bill and the need to address them;
Resolves to:
Rescind its decision on Clause 13 and paragraph 5 of the Schedule to the Bill and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.
Debate
Hon. Edward Pwajok Moved for the rescission of the Clauses on Motions 5-9 and it was Seconded by Hon. Mohammed Monguno. The Motions were Voted on and Passed.
10. Failure of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission to complete various Projects worth $40 Billion initiated in the last Ten Years:
Hon. Abbass Tajudeen.
The House:
Notes that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 with the mandate of developing the oil rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria by addressing the economic and infrastructural deficits suffered by the Niger Delta Region consequent upon the exploration and exploitation of crude oil in the Region since 1956;
Also notes that in September 2008, the late President Umaru Yar’adua created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to serve as the supervising Ministry for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC);
Aware that aside the Constitutional provision which requires that at least 13% of the revenues generated from petroleum resources should be paid to the States from where the revenues were derived (in addition to their regular allocations from the Federation Account), the Federal Government also established the Presidential Amnesty Programme to, among other things, serve as an intervention programme to integrate and empower the restive militant groups and other inhabitants of the Region;
Also aware that in order to fast track the development of the Region, the Niger Delta Development Commission was granted a special funding mechanism outside the annual budget of the Federation to guarantee regular funding of its operations and projects;
Concerned that the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission are alleged to have wasted over $40 billion in the last ten years on 11,000 projects without tangible evidence of those projects in the Region, even though the contractual amounts have been fully or partially paid;
Further aware of the Report of the Ministerial Technical Audit Committee on contracts awarded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which indicted the Ministry of wasting over N700 Billion on 427 contracts in just 6 years;
Also concerned that even the Presidential Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government which is also intended to empower the inhabitants of the Region is suffering from the maladies of corruption and mismanagement of funds;
Further concerned that the establishment of the intervention programme and agencies appears to be counterproductive as there is lack of synergy among them, which is manifested in the repetition of programs and conflict of projects in the Region by the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Niger Delta Development Commission, the Presidential Amnesty Programme as well as States and Local Governments in the Region;
Cognizant that the contracts awarded by those agencies, apart from not conforming to extant financial laws and regulations, were in most cases awarded to foreign companies with very dubious track records, lacking in financial wherewithal and expertise to deliver on their mandates;
Disturbed that if the Management of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission are not able to give account of the over $40 billion allocated to them in the last 10 years, the target of the Nigerian Government to mobilize N1.7 Trillion to the Region may have been in vain;
Equally concerned that if those crimes against the law abiding citizens of the Niger Delta Region, and by extension, Nigeria are not checked and the culprits brought to book, the citizens of the Region may be compelled to go back to the creeks and the attendant implications on the Nigerian economy and the political stability of the Nation cannot be quantified;
Resolves to:
Set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged wastage of the sum of $40 billion on 11,000 projects by the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission in the last 10 years and report back within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.
Motion was stepped down for further investigation.
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
11. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Education, Zaria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1536) (Senate) (Leader) – (Committee of the Whole: 24/10/2018).
12. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo; and for Related Matters (HB. 1539) – (Senate) (Leader) – (Committee of the Whole: 24/10/2018).
13. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri; and for Related Matters (HB. 1537) (Senate) (Leader) – (Committee of the Whole: 8/11/2018).
14. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Protection of Persons who render reasonable Assistance during Emergency situations occurring at places within Federal Jurisdiction and to serve as a model to be adopted by States of the Federation and for Related Matters (HB.171) (Hon. Babajimi Benson) – (Committee of the Whole:16/6/2016).
Consideration of Reports stepped down by leave of the House.
Adjournment
The House adjourned Plenary till Thursday, December 6 2018 by 11:00 Am
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Honourable Speaker, House of Representatives.
