The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (December 14 – 18, 2015)
1. Message from the President
The President wrote to crave the indulgence of the House for a slot of 10.00hrs on Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015 to formally address a Joint Session of the National Assembly on 2016 Budget.
2. Petitions from the following bodies/ persons were presented and laid
a. Doka Chambers (Barriesters & Solicitors) on behalf of Haruna Ibrahim and five others on the conduct of Col. V. U. Okoro and Col. P. U. Ashim of the Special Task Force, Plateau State;
b. Kiddie times on the conflict of interest and infringement of intellectual property rights of their creative work- Academic Data Bank for Nigerian School Children by the Federal Ministry of Education;
c. Centre for Human Right and social justice on their plea for prosecution of Prince Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Metropole Interproject Limited for the offence of forgery, fraudulent conversation and obtaining by false pretense;
d. Leaders of Congress, National Open Universivty of Nigeria on their expulsion from the school by the Management of the University;
e. HRH Eze A. N. Osoh on the failure of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited to adequately compensate Obrikon community Ogba, Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State arising from the exploration activities carried out by the company;
f. Ibe Onyebuenyi & Co. (Solicitors & Barristers- at – law) on behalf of Nkechi Okeugo on her dismissal from service by the Nigerian Customs Service;
g. Nnenna Enweliku on the attempt to scuttle the investigation of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation by Joyce Okoro, being carried out by the Police Special Fraud Unit, of 13 Milverten road, Ikoyi, Lagos;
h. O.I, Olorundara in respect of the unjust detention and repatriation of his daughter – Elizaberth Adebukola Olorundara, by the United Kingdom Immigration Services;
i. Onyeaghalanwanneya Youth Movement, Ngor Okpalla Local Government Area of Imo State, on the denial of their employment right as host community by Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); and
j. Onyeakalam Alilionwu and Co. on behalf of contractors in respect of non-payment of the constituency project contracts executed in September 2014 under the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Government Affairs.
3. Some Bills Presented for first reading
The following Bills were read the First Time by the Clerk:
i) Nigerian Authors Trust Fund Bill, 2015
ii) National Centre for Research, Management and Control of Autism, Down Syndrome Bill, 2015
iii) Cattle Ranching Bill, 2015
iv) National Social Security and Welfare Board Bill, 2015
v) Nigerian Antitrust (Prohibitions, Enforcement, etc.) Bill, 2015 (HB. 325)
vi) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, (HB. 326)
vii) Communication Service Tax Bill, 2015 (HB. 327)
viii) Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015 (HB. 328)
ix) Chartered Institute of Global Communication and Diplomacy of Nigeria Bill, 2015 (HB. 329)
x) Constituencies Development Fund Bill, 2015 (HB. 330)
xi) Internally Displaced Persons Protection Bill, 2015 (HB. 331)
xii) Oil and Gas Export free Zone Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015 (HB. 332)
xiii) Terrorism (Prevention) Repeal and Re- Enactment Bill, 2015 (HB. 333)
xiv) Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs Bill, 2015 (HB. 334)
xv) Infrastructure Management and Maintenance Bill, 2015 (HB. 335)
4. Some Bills for Second reading
i) A Bill for an act to provide for smooth and orderly transfer of power from one Government to another; and for other matters related thereto (HB. 102); and a Bill for an act to provide for, among other things, a Framework for the Documentation and Transmission of Hand over note from one Administration to another and to ensure the publication of same in the official gazette; and for other matters related thereto (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos)
ii) A Bill for an act to amend the extradition act, Cap. E25, Laws of the Federal of Nigeria, 2004 to correct a spelling of the word Country and for other Matter Related thereto.
iii) A Bill for an act to make Provision for Donation and Transplant of Kidney in Nigeria; and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Chukwuka Onyema)
iv) A Bill for an act to amend the Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) Act, Cap C43,Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to give Discriminatory Powers to the Judge of a High Court to order Forfeiture of Assets of Affected Persons; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
v) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Act, Cap N3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 an for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
vi) A Bill for Act to Amend the Utilities Charges Commission Act, Cap. U17, LFN, 2004 to review upwards the fines stipulated for offences under the Act and for other matters connected therewith.
vii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the World Meteorological Organization (Protection) Act. Cap. W7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 271) (Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha)
viii) A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Youth Development Commission and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 122) (Hon. Samaila Suleiman)
ix) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria Act, Cap. N54, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Onyenwife Gabriel)
x) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management to be charged with responsibility for Registration, Discipline of its Members to Regulate and Control the Practice of Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 69) (Hon. Chike Okafor)
xi) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN, 2004 to make it Mandatory for the Service Corps to provide Life Insurance Policy for Corp Members, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 80); and a Bill for an Act to Amend the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN, 2004 to embody certain Provisions Aimed at Enhancing the Welfare needs of Corp Members, enable their Acquisition of Special Business and Commercial Skills and empower them financially to be better able to fend for themselves at the end of their services and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 82) (Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor)
xii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Population Commission Act, Cap. N67, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB. 186) (Hon. Awoleye Abiodun Dada)
xiii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Wireless Telegraph Act, Cap. N67, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Related Therewith (HB. 247) (Hon. Ujam Chukwuemka)
5.) Some of the Motions considered for the week
i.) Cattle Rustling and Murder of 20 Innocent Lives in Mashema Village of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State by Cattle Rustlers on 6th of December, 2015 (Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu Bungudu)
The House resolved to:
a. Offer one minute silence in honor of the deceased persons lost to such unfortunate incident;
b. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately mobilize resources to provide relief materials to the affected community;
c. Also urge the relevant security agencies to increase security surveillance in the affected community in order to prevent further occurrence of such attacks;
d. Further urge Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to enhance vigilance in Yarwutsiya, Burai, Ruwan Mesa, Kuran Mota in Bingi South District, Kekun Waje, fanda-Haki, Mashema, Doka, and Binigi town all in Bungudu Local Government Area. A similar gesture should also be accorded to Malale, Ruwan Tofa, Dansadau and Dangulbi villages in Maru Local Government Area.
ii.) Violent Attack Leading to Loss of Lives in Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas, Plateau State (Hon. Istifanus Gyang)
The House resolved to:
a. Condemn the attacks in strong terms;
b. Urge the Operation safe haven security team to strengthen vigilance in Barkin Ladi/ Riyom and Jos south local government area, to arrest any further attacks;
c. Also urge NEMA to provide relief materials to the affected communities and survivors;
d. Further urge the Federal Government to include the over 40 villages destroyed by violent attacks in its planned rehabilitation and reconstruction of victims of terror;
e. Mandate the Committee on IDPs to visit and asses the IDPs situation in Barkin Ladi/ Riyom and Jos South Local Government and report back to the House in 4 weeks;
f. Also mandate the Committee on Public Safety and Intelligence to investigate the ugly development(s) with a view to proffering lasting solution and report back to the House in 4 weeks; and
g. Observe a minutes silence in remembrance of the victims.
iii.) Need for Reconstruction of the Makurdi- Naka- Adoka- Ankpa Road (Hon. Mark Gbillah)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to include the reconstruction of the Makurdi- Naka- Adoka- Ankpa road in the capital projects for the 2016 Appropriation proposals; and
b. Mandate the Committees on Works, and Legislative Compliance to ensure adherence to the resolution.
iv.) Call for Rehabilitation of the Lokoja- Osara-Itakpe- Okene Road (Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idrisu)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently rehabilitate all the bad portions on the Lokoja-Osara-Itakpa- Okene road as a temporary measure; and
b. Mandate the Committee on Works to liaise with the federal ministry of power, works and Housing to make provision for funds in the 2016 budget proposal for the completion of the ongoing dualization project of the Abuja- Lokoja- Okene- Benin road
v.) Calling the Central Bank of Nigeria to Declare Interests Accruable to the Foreign Reserve Accounts of the Federation
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the CBN to declare, without delay, the particulars of the accounts in which the Foreign Reserves of the Federation are held and any interests accruable to the Foreign Reserve Accounts held on behalf of the Federation in the last four (4) years and thereafter periodically;
b. Also urge the CBN to report the criteria for engaging any and all foreign managers of the Foreign Reserve Accounts of the Federation to ensure transparency and to report annually on the performance and continued compliance of the managers with any set guidelines issued by the CBN for the engagement of the fund managers; and
c. Mandate the Committee on Finance to investigate the matter and report back to the House within two months.
vi.) Call for the Strengthening of the Nation Air Space Surveillance Infrastructure (Hon. Binta Bello)
The House resolved to:
a. Mandate the Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the administration of contributors’ funds by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from inception and recommend ways of strengthening and insulating the Scheme from further abuse; and
b. Also mandate the committee to ascertain the activities of the Health Management Organizations and their level of compliance with guidelines issued by the National Health Insurance Scheme within the same period, and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.
vii.) Need to Address the Deplorable States of Unity Schools, Investigate the Disbursement of funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission and the Suspected Outbreak of Enteritis at the Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon,alaya ( Hon. Chukwuemeka Reginald Anohu and Hon. Abubakar Amuda Kannike)
The House resolved to:
a. Call the attention of the Federal Ministry of Education to the deplorable state of unity schools throughout the federation;
b. Mandate the Committee on Basic Education and Services to ascertain underlying factors that led to the decline of the Unity Schools with a view proffering feasible institutional and regulatory measures that can engender a return of the schools to an appreciable standard;
c. Also mandate the Committees to investigate the activities of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education so as to ascertain how funds that had been appropriated to the Unity Schools from 1999 to date were utilized;
d. Further mandate the Committees on Health Services and Basic Education and Services to investigate the cause of the outbreak of suspected enteritis at the Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon Alaye and propose measures to avoid re- occurrence; and
e. Urge the Federal Ministry of Education to develop an action plan to address the states of physical and educational infrastructure in Unity Schools in the country.
viii.) Call for Investigation of the $5 million granted to Lake Chad basin commission by the Administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo for Feasibility Studies on how to divert rivers to Lake Chad:
The House resolved to:
Urge the Committee on Lake Chad to investigate this matter and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.
ix.) Call for Investigation of the Contract by the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service for the Outsourcing of Expatriate Residency Management and Border Facilitation (Hon. Sunday Marshall Katung and 26 others)
The House resolved to:
a. Mandate the Committee on Interior to examine all Agreements entered into by the Federal Ministry of Interior with any company or persons on any matter relating to the issuance of travel documents including International Passports, residence permits and border surveillance and patrol, and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks;
b. Make any recommendation that would enhance service delivery by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service in the area of control of person entering or leaving Nigeria, issuance of travel documents, residence permits border surveillance and patrol and their overall duties of enforcement of immigration laws and regulations.
x.) Need to Upgrade the Wesley Guild, Ilesa to a Federal Medical Center ( Hon. Israel Ajibola Famurewa)
The House resolved to:
xi.) Mandate Committee on Health Institutions to liaise with the Ministry of Health to initiate the process of upgrading the Wesley Guild, Ilesa to a Federal Medical Centre.
xii.) Need to Adopt Made in Nigeria Automobiles as Official Vehicles (Hon. Eucharia Azodo)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the Federal Government to design a blue print/ policy that will provide needed incentives to enable Nigerian Automobile Manufacturing Companies grow into international brands like Ford, Mercedes, Volvo and Peugeot; and
b. Also urge the Federal Government to make it a policy for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to adopt vehicles manufactured in Nigeria as their official vehicles.
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you, let’s do this again after next sitting.
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
