The House of Representatives this Week April 18 – 22, 2016
The House of Representatives this Week
#RepsThisWeek
The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (April 18 – 22, 2016)
1. Message from the President
Nil
2. Some Committee Reports Presented to the House for the week
i. Ad-hoc Committee on the request for an Increase in the amount to be raised through the diaspora bond from the International Market (Hon. Garba Shehu)
The House Recommended;
That the request by the President on the increase in Diaspora Bond from USD 100 Million Euro Bond to USD 300 Million Bond captured under the Federal Government’s External Borrowing Plan 2016 – 2018, be approved.
Committee on Public Petitions:
ii. Petition by Aggrieved Staff of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Aggrieved Staff of Nigerian Export Promotion Council against the Management of the Council and approve the recommendations therein”
House resolved to:
Urge the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to:
(i) Reflect Federal Character Principles in the exercise;
(ii) Promote all officers due for promotion; and
(iii) Ensure that no officer is punished or victimized for his role in writing the petition.
iii. That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Sani Abakura against the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) on alleged unlawful disengagement from service and approve the recommendations therein
House resolved to:
a) Ignore the plea of the petitioner, Abakura Sani for reinstatement and uphold the termination of his appointment for the interest of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC);
b) The respondent, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) should pay the petitioner his full outstanding salaries, other allowances plus his gratuity if any;
c) Considering the seriousness of the allegations against the respondent that bother on impropriety, financial and otherwise as they concern communication and public relations, environment and community relations (payment of compensation) and expediting and logistics department, the Committee on Public Petitions is still investigating the matter and will make its report available to the House in due course.
iv. Committee on Public Petitions:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by SCA Adiele C. C. against the Nigerian Customs Service on alleged wrongful retirement and approve the recommendations therein”( (Laid: 13/4/2016):
The House resolved to:
(i) Urge the Nigerian Customs Service to reinstate the petitioner, SCA Adiele C. C. back to service since there was no clear or tangible evidence why he was prematurely retired;
(ii) Also urge the Nigerian Customs Service to grant the petitioner his full rank and payment of all the arrears of his entitlements from the date of the purported retirement.
V. Committee on Public Petitions:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Technical Trainee Graduates Association against the Nigerian Ports Authority on alleged non-placement of the petitioners after their Training and approve the recommendations therein”( (Laid: 13/4/2016):
The House resolved to:
(i) Urge the Nigerian Ports Authority to absorb the petitioners, having trained them for four years, certified and documented as worthy officers of the organization before the disengagement;
(ii) In the alternative, the Nigerian Ports Authority should pay each of the petitioners N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) only in lieu of their possible entitlements, inconvenience, cost of pursuing their case all the while and starter pack for the petitioners to commence a new phase of life.
vi. Committee on Public Petitions:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Iduemre Ochuko against the University of Benin on alleged wrongful termination of appointment and approve the recommendation therein”
The House resolved to:
Urge the Management of the University of Benin to review the withdrawal of appointment of the petitioner, Mr. Iduemre Ochuko, with a view to re-instating and paying him all accrued benefits dating back to the date of the withdrawal of his appointment.
3. Some Petitions presented this week
i.) A petititon from F.E. Ubuane & Co.(Barristers & Solicitors), on behalf of Prince Austine Ibhasuemojie, on the denial of his right to access the sum of N20,000,000.00 he deposited with the Union Homes Savings and Loans PLC and its accruing interest, was presented and laid by Hon. Sergious Oseasochie Ogun
ii.) From Suleiman Aduke Theresa on the discontinuance of her monthly pension by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), was presented and laid by Hon. Jimoh A. Olajide
4. Some Bills Presented for first reading
i.) National Boundary Commission Task Force (Establishment) Bill, 2016
i.) Special Maximum Security Prisons (Establishment) Bill, 2016
ii.) Community Service Bill, 2016
iii.) National Oil and Gas Museum and Research Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2016
iv.) Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, 2016
v.) Institute of Chartered Corporate Marketing and Management of Nigeria, (Establishment) Bill, 2016
a. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
vi.) Indigenes (Status Confirmation) Bill, 2016
vii.) National Universities Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
viii.) 10. National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
5. Some Bills Consolidated for the week
A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to, among other things, empower the Commission to ensure that existing Vacancies above Grade Level 10 or its equivalent in Ministries, Departments and Agencies are not filled with persons from outside the affected Ministries, Departments and Agencies except where there are no qualified persons, in order to avoid stagnation, redundancy and to encourage effective service delivery and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB. 53) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for a more Comprehensive guideline and procedure for Recruitment in Order to ensure Transparency; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB. 176) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by giving the Commission additional Powers to enable it discharge its functions more effectively and for Other Matters Related Thereto; (HB. 272) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to strengthen the Act, Prosecute Violators, remove it from the direction of the President and stiffen the punishment of Offenders and for Other Matters Related Thereto; (HB.338) (Hon. Orker-Jev Emmanuel Yisa)
ii. A bill for an Act to Amend the Energy Commission of Nigeria Act. Cap. E10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the Establishment of Solar Energy Development and Utilization; Fund and for Other Related Matters, (HB. 72); and a Bill for an Act to Amend the Energy Commission of Nigeria Act, Cap. E10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB. 446) (Hon. Orker-Jev Emmanuel Yisa)
iii. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Office of the Auditor- General for the Federation, Provide for Additional Powers and Functions to the Office, Establish the Federal Audit Service Commission; Repeal the Audit Act, 1956, the Public Accounts Committees Act, Cap. P35, LFN, 2004 and Re-enact the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2016; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila) – Third Reading
iv. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Trade Malpractices Act, Cap. T12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by providing Mental Element for Trade Malpractices and Prescribing stiffer Penalties Therein, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB.368) (Hon. Elijah Olu Adekunle ); and
(b) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Trade Malpractices Act, Cap. T12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for proper Regulations of Trade Malpractices and Protect Consumers in relation to the supply of Goods and Services in Nigeria; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB.459) (Hon. Evelyn Omavowan Oboro).
v. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Universities Commission Act, Cap. N.81, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to empower the Commission to set out Code of Conduct for Assessment of Universities’ Students’ Characters alongside Academic Performance as Condition precedent to award of Degrees to deserving Students and for Other Related Matters (HB. 56) (Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar); and
vi. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Universities Commission Act, Cap. N.81, LFN, 2004 to make it Mandatory for immediate issuance and Release of Certificates to Graduating Students in all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters, (HB. 439) (Hon. Prestige Ossy).
6. Some Bills Considered for second reading
i.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. P17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to streamline the number of Deans of Pharmacy School on the Councils, ascertain certainty of False Statement and review fines upward; and for Other Matter Related Thereto
ii.) A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 81 nd 82 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to ensure that proposed budgets are passed into law before first day of January of every year as provided in section 318 of the Constitution and for Other Related Matters);
iii.) A Bill for an Act to Provide the Framework for handling Unclaimed Financial Assets, to Establish the Unclaimed Financial Asset, Agency and the Unclaimed Financial Assets Trust Fund; and for Other Matter Connected Thereto (HB.385)(Hon. Abudulrahman Shuaibu Abubakar)
iv.) A Bill for an Act to Alter the First Schedule to Section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; 1999 (as amended) to Reflect the proper Name of Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 485) (Hon. Binta Bello)
v.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 to provide guidance for the enforcement of Security Measures through the requirement for installation and Management of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, (HB. 416) (Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki)
vi.) A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provision of Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; (as amended) to make the invitation and investigative powers of the National Assembly Non-Justiciable; and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 424) (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok)
vii.) A Bill for an Act to Alter Sections 68(g) and 109 (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to further provide a Proviso on the Vacation of seats by Legislators and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, (HB. 431) (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok) – Second Reading.
viii.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Advisory Council on Religious Affairs Act, Cap. A8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Re-enact the National Peace Council to Promote Peace and Religious Harmony in the Country and for Other Related Matters (HB. 74) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
ix.) A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation, to identify Conflicts, and for the Supervision, Coordination and Monitoring of all Peaceful Resolutions between Governments; Organisations, Etc. in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 449) (Hon. Umar Buba Jibril).
x.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Eye Center Act, Cap. N. 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to empower the Centre to acquire Property, Review the Functions of the Centre and provide for Standard Procedure of removing Members of the Board; and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 356) (Hon. Umar Buba Jibril)
xi.) A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 3 of the First Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; 1999 (as amended) to Reflect the correct Name of “Shongom” Local Government Area of Gombe State and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 485) (Hon. Binta Bello)
xii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Lottery Act, 2005 to make Consequential Provisions for effective operation of Lottery in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 478) (Hon. E. Y. Orker-Jev)
xiii.) A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Soil Science and to make Provision for the Establishment, Functions and Administration of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 316) (Hon. Mohammed T. Monguno)
xiv.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (Number of Judges) Act, Cap. H6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make provision for increase in the number of judges from Thirty-Seven (37) to Seventy-Five (75); and for Other Related Matters (HB.457) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
xv.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Operations Management of Nigeria, Charged with Responsibility for Regulation and Disciplining of members of the Profession; and for Other Related Matters, (HB.383) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
xvi.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Public Procurement Act, 2007, by adding a new member to the Council, amending the procedure for appointing the Director-General of the Bureau and extending the application of the Act to Defence Procurement and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB. 475) (Hon. Oluwole Oke)
xvii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 to provide guidance for the enforcement of Security Measures through the requirement for installation and Management of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, (HB. 416) (Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki)
xviii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Official Secrets Act, Cap 03, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review the Penalties and Fines Provided Therein and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 317 and HB. 426) (Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi and Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok)
7. Some Motions Considered for the week
i. Undue Seizure of Results of Candidates in 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)(Hon. Nnanna Raphael IOgbokwe)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Basic Education and Tertiary Services to intervene in the matter and report back to the House within 2 weeks
ii. The Gruesome Murder of Samuel Okonta, a Serving Corp Member in Rivers State:
The House Resolved to:
a) Condemn in strongest terms the brutal murder of the late Okonta Samuel and other students killed in the recent times, and observe a minutes silence for the repose of his soul;
b) Call on the Inspector General of Police to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this devilish act by making them to face the wrath of the law with a view to serving as a deterrent to others;
c) Also call on the authority of the NYSC to adequately compensate the family of the late Corp Member, who died while on national duty;
d) Urge the Government to put adequate security measure in place for serving Youth Crops Members throughout the Federation; and
e) mandate the Committee on Human Rights to investigate the recent killings of Corp Members and other students, and report back to the House within 2 weeks.
iii. Call for an End to the Deconstruction of Nigerian Flag:
The House Resolved to:
a) Urge the Federal Government to direct the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark upon public enlightenment and re- orientation on the need to put an end to the deconstruction of the Nigerian Flag;
b) Also urge the Government to mandate the Agency to be the only source of obtaining the national Flag so as to ensure that the correct format of the Flag is produced; and
c) Mandate the Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
iv. Need to Rescind the House Decision on the Transfer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) from the Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways to the Committee on Marine Safety, Education and Administration, Pursuant to Order 9, Rule 57 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives ( Hon. E. Y. Orker- Jev)
The House resolved to:
Rescind its decision of Wednesday, 23rd March 2016 transferring the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) from the oversight functions of the Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways and also deleting Marine Services, and restore them to the Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways.
v. Need to Investigate the abandonment of the 2×60 MVA and 132/33KV Sub-Station at Ogbomosho and 2x132KV Sub-Station line Bays Extension at Ganmo, Ilorin (Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun Dokun)
The House Resolves to:
a) Mandate the Committee on Power to investigate the abandonment of the projects with a view to seeing to their completion, and report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
vi. Breach of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Internal Revenue Service Act, 2015(Hon. Abdulrazaq Namdas)
The House resolved to:
a) Invite the Minister of the FCT to appear before the Committee on FCT to explain the reason for taking such steps and show cause why he will not reverse this clear breach of the Law and to report to the House in two weeks
vii. Need to investigate the utilization of 10 Billion Naira to fight insecurity in the country and 8 million naira for upgrade of Police Training School and Colleges in readiness for the forthcoming recruitment of Police Personnel in Nigeria (Hon. Johnbull Shekarau)
The House resolved to;
a) Mandate the House Committee on Police Affairs to conduct a holistic investigation on the utilization of the sums of N10 billion and N8 billion released to the Nigeria Police Force to fight insecurity and for effective recruitment of Police personnel in Nigeria respectively and to report back to the House within 2 weeks
viii. Investigation of the alleged Misappropriations of Pension Funds by Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate(PTAD) (Hon. Lawal Abubakar Garba)
The House resolved to mandate the Committee on Pensions to:
a) audit the assets of pension offices existing before the commencement of the Pension Reform Act, 2014 that were transferred to the PTAD;
b) investigate the activities of the PTAD in managing the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) since inception; and
c) determine the level of compliance by the PTAD with the Pension Reform Act, 2014 in the execution of its mandate, and report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action
ix. Urgent Need to Eradicate Malaria Using the Dichloro- Diphenyl-Trichloroethane(DDT) (Hon. Christopher Ngoro Agibe)
The House Resolved to:
a) Urge the Federal Ministry of Health, the Centre for Disease Control and other related agencies to move the national malaria plan from the prevention stage to the eradication stage;
b) mandate the Committees on Health Services and HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to consider the efficacy of DDT in the eradication of malaria and report back to the House within 3 weeks
x. Need to Control Noise Pollution in Nigeria (Hon. Hassan Saleh)
The House Resolved to:
a) Urge the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to live up to expectation by reviewing its regulatory and monitoring policies to ensure compliance with International Standard for noise level;
b) Mandate the Committee on Environment and Habitat to interface with all the relevant stakeholders on how to develop a comprehensive noise pollution abatement policy, and report back to the House within 6 weeks.
xi. Urgent Need for the Rehabilitation of Uyo Ndiya/Eket Ndiya, Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Port Hacourt Road (Hon. Samuel Ikon)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to commence the reconstruction of the road to ease the sufferings of the people;
b. Also urge the Inspector-General of Police to put in place security measures in those areas to safeguard the lives and properties of the people;
c. Mandate the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission to ensure compliance.
xii. Deplorable State Of Okene-Obehira-Magongo-Lampese-Ibillo-Ekor-Ikiran-Ishua Road (Hon Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason)
The House resolved to:
Urge the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to, as a matter of urgency, embark on the rehabilitation of the Road.
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you; let’s do this again after next sitting.
Babajimi Benson, MHR
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
