The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (December 7 – 11, 2015)
1. Message from the President
Forwarding of 2016, 2017 and Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
2. Some Petitions Considered for the week
(i) A petition from Jane Okonye on the termination of her appointment by the Management of University of Benin, was presented and laid by Hon. Nicholas Ossia
(ii) A petition from Waliu Apena on the inaccurate calculation of death benefits due to his late brother – Sgt Atanda Apena by the Military Pensions Board, was presented and laid by Hon. Agunsoye Oluwarotimi Ojo
(iii) A petition from Bayo Iwalomo Egbayelo on behalf of Ayefohanne Iwajomo on the failure of Coastal South Construction Company Limited to pay compensation to him as a result of injuries sustained while discharging his official duties, was presented and laid by Hon. Akinjo Kolade Victor
(iv) A petition from Stephen Nwadiogbu on his untimely retirement from service by the Department of State Services, was presented and laid by Hon. Chukwuka Onyema Wilfred
(v) A petition from Eket Federal Constituency Vanguard on the irregularity of the catering and housekeeping service contract award processes by the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS) for Mobil Producing Nigeria, was presented and laid by Hon. Owoidighe Ekpoattai.
( v) A petition from A. A.Ojopagogo &Co. (Legal Practitioners) on the death of Eso Oluwafemi Sunday (a National Youth Service Corps member), was presented and laid by Hon. Baderinwa Bamidele Samson.
3. Some Bills Presented for first reading
i) Corporate Social Responsibility (Special Provision, e.t.c.) Bill, 2015
ii) Investment and securities Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
iii) Manslaughter Bill, 2015
iv) Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
v) Psychiatric Hospital Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
vi) Peoples Bank of Nigeria Act (Repeal) Bill 2015
vii) Marketing (Breast-Milk Substitute) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
viii) National Mathematical Centre ACT (Amendment) Bill, 2015
ix) National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
x) Insland Fisheries Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xi) Public Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill, 2015
xii) Food Drugs and related products (Registration, etc) (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xiii) Loans (State Development) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015
xiv) Medical Rehabilitation Therapist (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xv) National Programme on Immunization Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015
xvi) Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xvii) Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xviii) Casino Taxation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xix) National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xx) Extradition Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxi) Treaty to Establish the African Union (Ratification and Enforcement ) Bill, 2015
xxii) Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Pesticide in International Trade (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxiii) National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxiv) Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxv) Workers Compensation Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015
xxvi) Chartered Institute of Administration Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxvii) Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxviii) Telecommunications and Postal Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxix) Associated Gas Re-Injection Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015
xxx) National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxi) Produce (Enforcement of Export Standards) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxii) Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxiii) Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) (Repeal) Bill, 2015
xxxiv) Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provision) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxv) Public Enterprises Regulatory Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxvi) National Film and Video Censors Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxvii) Private Guards Companies Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxviii) Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xxxix) Hire Purchase Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xl) Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xli) National Institute for Cultural Orientation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlii) Corrupt Practice and other related offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xliii) Prevention of Crimes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xliv) Water Resources Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlv) River Basin Development Authorities Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlvi) Student Union (Control and Regulation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlvii) National Agricultural Development Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlviii) Bees (Import Control and Management) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
xlix) Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
l) National Fertilizer Board Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015 and 79 other bill pass first reading
4. Some Bills for Second reading
i. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria and for Other Matter Connected Therewith (Hon. Uzoma Nkem- Abonta)
ii. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Council of Traditional Rulers in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Other Related Matters
iii. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority Act, Cap. 05, Laws of the Federal of Nigeria, 2004 and to provide for the Designation and Establishment of Oil and Gas Free Zones and Special Investment Areas in Nigeria; Establishment of the Oil and Gas Investment and Free Zones Authority; and for Other Related Matters
iv. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Promotion of Democracy Commission and for Other Matters Connected Therewith
v. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Act, Cap N113, LFN 2004 and for Other Matter Connected Therewith (Hon. Babajimi Benson)
vi. A Bill for an Act to Provide for timely Composition of a Cabinet with Attached Portfolios by the President of Nigeria and for Other Matter Connected Therewith (Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide- Ihama)
vii. ABill for an Act to amend the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for competition in Nigeria, to promote efficiency and expand opportunities for Nigerians particioation in world markets while at the same time recognize the role of foreign competition in Nigeria and for other matters related thereto 9Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje)
viii. A Bill for an Act to provide for the registration and control of Orphanages and other institutions for the boarding, care and maintenance of orphans and deserted children and for other matters connected therewith(Hon. Awoleye Abiodun Dada)
ix. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory University of Science and Technology, Abaji, and for other related matters (Hon. Zephaniah B. Jisalo)
x. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Capital Territory Security Trust Fund and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen)
xi. A Bill for an Act to provide for anti-dumping and countervailing measures in Nigeria trade transactions, establishment of the anti-dumping and countervailing measures advisory committee to save indigenous industry and for other related matters (Hon. Abdullai Umar Farouk)
xii. A Bill for an Act to provide for the regulation and conduct of the practice of Broadcasting Profession in Nigeria and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Ahmed Yerima)
xiii. A Bill for an Act to provide for compulsory teaching of security and intelligence studies in the syllabus of secondary schools in Nigeria and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Ayuba Mohammed Bello)
xiv. A Bill for Act to amend the Matrimonial Causes Act, Cap. M17, LFN, 2004 to increase the amount paid as penalty and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam)
xv. A Bill for an Act to establish Desertification, Erosion, Flood and Ecological Control Agency and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Hassan A. Omale)
xvi. A Bill for an Act to amend the Insurance Act, Cap, N117, LFN 2004 and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Oghene Emma Egoh)
5.) Some of the Motions considered for the
i.) Alleged Killing of 140 Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (Operation Lafiya Dole ) in the North East by the Boko Haram Sect (Hon. Dickson Tarkighir)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the Directorate for Defence Information and Communication to create, operate and update verifiable accounts on social media as well as consistently monitor news and rumours on social media with a view to properly educating Nigerians and the world on the officially ascertained updates in the fight against terrorism.
ii.) Urgent need to address the subversion of due process and outright corruption by the management of pipelines and product marketing company (PPMC) (Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole)
The House resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to investigate the matter and report back to the House in one week
iii.) Call for the rehabilitation and dualization of the Zaria-Funtua-Gusua-Sokoto road linking Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States (Hon. Abubakar Husaini Moriki)
The House resolved to:
a. Urge the federal road maintenance agency (FERMA) to effect necessary repairs on the damaged portions and bridges along the road as a palliative measure;
b. Also urge the federal ministry of power, works and housing to include funds for the reconstruction and dualization of the road in the 2016 budget estimates as a permanent solution to the current suffering of the people; and
c. Mandate the committees on works, FERMA, Appropriations and legislative compliance to ensure compliance with the resolution
iv.) Call for Investigation of the Provision of N10. 7 Billion Towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals on Water Supply Exit Programme (Hon. Prestige Ososy)
The House resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on water resources to investigate the non-completion/abandonment of the projects 7 years after the sum of N10.7 Billion have been disbursed, and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action
v.) The Resurgence of Meningitis and the need to Provide Vaccination and Increase Public Awareness of the Threat
The House resolved to:
a) Call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, do all it takes to provide vaccines for the prevention of the disease;
b) Urge the Federal Government, States and Local Governments to further embark on massive public enlightenment campaigns on the scourge of the disease and encourage people to inculcate the culture of basic hygiene into their lifestyles to reduce transmission of the bacteria that causes meningitis;
c) Also urge the Federal Government to adhere to the International Standard of cold chain system, I.e. (from manufacturer to consumer) in order to maintain the vaccines potency;
d) Mandate the Committee on Healthcare Service to ensure the compliance and administration of the meningitis vaccine; and
e) Further urge State Governments to provide the vaccines and attend to emergencies when necessary
v.) Strengthening Safety on our Roads and Curbing the Inherent Dangers of Night Travels (Hon. Istifanus Dung Gyang)
The House resolved to:
a) Urge the FRSC to undertake aggressive public enlightenment against the dangers inherent in night travels particularly at yuletide season;
b) Also urge the Federal Ministry of works, and FERMA to undertake repairs of Federal Roads and install appropriate road signs / markings on Federal Roads nationwide; and
c) Further urge the Federal Ministry of Transport to step up the reactivation of the Rail Transport which is a safer means of night travels
vi.) Downward Trend of the Nigerian Stock Market (Hon. Danburam Abubakar Nuhu)
The House resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Capital Market and Institutions to investigate the downward trend of the Nigerian Stock Market and report back to the House within eight weeks for further legislative action.
vii.) Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila – House Leader)
The House resolved to:
Commit the 2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Development, and Legislative Budget and Research for scrutiny and recommendations to the House
viii.) Nigerian Institute of Social Works Bill, 2015 (business continued from Assembly to Assembly) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
The House resolved to:
Commit the Bill to the Committee of the whole for consideration
ix.) Need to provide Rehabilitation and Welfare Centres for the critically ill and Physically Challenged Persons (Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun)
The House resolved to:
a) Mandate the Committees on Healthcare Services, Poverty Alleviation, and Woman Affairs and Social Development to liaise with the relevant Ministries and Agencies to formulate measures in the relocate the physically challenged and the critically- ill from major towns, cities and streets in Nigeria to rehabilitation and welfare centres; and
b) Urge the Federal Government to make budgetary provisions to cater for this category of Nigerians in the 2016 and subsequent budget estimates
x.) Call for the Construction of Mbalala- Chibok- Damboa Federal Road in Borno State (Hon. Asabe vilita bashir)
The House resolved to:
a) Mandate the Committee on Works to liaise with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing for appropriation of funds in the 2016 budget estimates for the construction of Mbalala, Chibok. Damboa Road, Borno State; and
b) Urge the Federal Government to reimburse the Borno State Government for the funds committed for the construction of the road.
xi.) Need to Investigate the Activities of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from 2000 to Date:
The House resolved to:
a) Urge the NDLEA to halt further destruction of seized drugs and the impending auction of seized assets and properties of drug offenders pending the conclusion
Of investigation; and
b) Mandate the Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to investigate how the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has been conducting its affairs from 2000 to date vis-à-vis the seizures and disposal of drugs, assets and properties of drug offenders and report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action
xii.) Call for Discontinuance of the Operations of Nigeria Refineries Due to the Heavy Debt Incurred by the Refineries and the Need for the Federal Government to Privatize the Refineries:
The House resolved to:
Mandate the Committees on petroleum Resources (Upstream), and Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to investigate the operations of the nation’s refineries, advise the House on the privatization matter and report back to the House within 4 weeks.
xiii.) Deplorable condition of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex ring road at Badagry expressway, Ojo (Hon. Oghene Emma Egoh)
The House resolved to:
a) Urge the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to undertake an urgent rehabilitation of the road to alleviate the plight of the people pending its reconstruction; and
b) Also urge the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to include the cost of reconstruction of the road in the 2016 budget proposals.
Need to standardize cocoa and other agriculture products meant for export (Hon. Mayowa Samuel Akinfolarin)
The House resolved to:
a) Urge the Federal Government to provide incentives and farm inputs for Cocoa farmers to enable them increase the quantity of cocoa they produce and hence make available good quality cocoa beans at reasonable prices to the processing factories; and
b) Also urge the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure the cocoa products are properly processed to meet regulatory requirements and global standards before they are exported.
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you, let’s do this again after next sitting.
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
