The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (February 22 – 26, 2016)
1. Message from the President
Nil
2. Petitions from the following bodies/ persons were presented and laid
i.) Awareness Law firm (Solicitor& Advocates) on behalf of Idowu Zacchacus Ayodele on the error in the computation of his monthly pension by the Ministry of Agriculture;
ii.) Ojuma Benjamin on his plea to be re-deployed to Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Center (NAFRC),Oshodi,Lagos State, due to ill-health and his quest to defreeze his salary account to enable him complete his treatment
iii.) Ologun Johnson on his dismissal from service by the Nigerian Army
iv.) A petition from Oyewole Ogundipe on the error in the computation of his monthly pension since 2011 by the Pension Office Abuja, was presented and laid by Hon. Adedapo Lam- Adesina.
v.) A petition form Hagler S. O & Co., on behalf of Chindu Temple on his Dismissal from Service by the Nigeria Police, was presented and laid by Hon. Prestige Ossay.
3. Some Bills Presented for first reading
i.) Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantee and Assurances Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
ii.) Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
iii.) Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2016
iv.) Oil and Gas Investment and free Zones (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2016
v.) Chartered Institute for Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2016
vi.) The Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
4. Some Bills for Second reading
i.) A bill to amend an Act to Authorize the Issue from the Federal Capital Territory Administration Statutory Revenue Fund of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Account the Total sum of 193,864,591,470 (One Hundred and Ninety-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Four Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Naira) only, for which the sum of 45,961,784,503 (Forty-Five Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira) only, is for Personnel Costs and the sum of 33,834,186,423 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira) only, is for Overhead Costs whilst the balance of 114,068,620,544 (One Hundred and Fourteen Billion, Sixty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Four Naira) only, is for Capital Projects for the Service for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the Financial Year commencing from 1st January 2015 and ending on 31st March, 2016 (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-House Leader)
ii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to among others, provide tenure for the Board, condition of assumption of jurisdiction etc.; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.135); and a Bill for an Act to Amend to Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 230) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
iii.) A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Office of Mayor for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo)
iv.) A Bill for an act to Alter the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the Establishment of State police and ensure effective Community Policing in Nigeria; and for Other Matter Connected Therewith (HB.184)
v.) A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 24 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide a time frame of ten years or less for population census; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Abiodun Dada Awoleye)
vi. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Establish more Code of Conduct Tribunals and make it Mandatory for all Public Officers to Subscribe to the Code of Conduct before taking Oath of Office; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok)
vii. A Bill for an Act to establish the National Council of Aging so as to Provide Social Welfare Services for the Elderly and for the purpose of designing development programmes and activities for the advancement of Elderly persons in Nigeria and for other related thereof (Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Makpor)
viii. A Bill for an Act to establish the National Council for Public Assistance to Widows, Dependent Children and Orphans, and for other matters connected therewith (Hon. Ayuba Mohammed Bello)
ix. A Bill for an act to Establish a Welfare Trust Fund and Management Commission for Effective Management of the Welfare of the Unemployed, People with Disability (Temporal/ Permanent), Orphans, Widows, the Elderly and the Youths, Compensation for Citizens who are deprived of means of Livelihood as a result of Population, Demolition, Forced Relocation, Retirement and Health, Provision of Medical care and Subsidies for poor Families and to protect the less Privileged in the Society; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (Hon. Rita O. Orji)
x. A Bill for an Act to Alter Sections 80 (1), (2) and (3) and (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to provide for appropriate use of the terms ‘Federation’ and ‘Federal Government’; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor)
xi. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to empower the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint its Secretary rather than doing so on the recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
xii. A Bill for an Act to Amend the River Basin Development Authorities Act, Cap. R9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to make provisions for proper Utilization of Nigerian Dams under the Control of a given River Basin Development Authority; and for Other Related Thereto (Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar);
xiii. A Bill for an Act to Amend the First Schedule to the River Basin Development Authority Act, Cap. R9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (Ossai Nicholas Oassi) and
xiv. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Rivers Basin Development Authority (Establishment, etc.) Act, Cap. R9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide for the Establishment of the Lower Anambra and Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority and list them in the First Schedule to the Act; and of Other Matters Related Thereto (Hon. Patrick Asadu)
xv. A Bill for an Act to Amend Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Act, Cap. C9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to increase the Prescribed Penalties; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf)
xvi. A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 243 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) (Third Alteration) Act No. 3 of 2010 to Provide for appeals to the Court of Appeal from final decisions of the National Industrial Court; and for Other Matters Connected Thereto (Hon. Joan Onyemaech Mrakpor)
xvii. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act, Cap. V3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to reduce the Membership of the Veterinary Council; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (Hon. Chike John Okafor)
xviii. A Bill for an Act to Amend to Provide a Legal Framework for the Protection of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons during and after Displacement, Resettlement, Relocation and Reintegration; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB.331) (Hon. Asabe Bashir Vilita)
xix. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Biotechnology Development Agency; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB.33) (Hon. Gyang Isitifanus Dung)
xx. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, Provide for Additional Power and Function to the Office, Establish the federal Audit Service Commission; Repeal the Audit Act of 1956, the Public Account Committee Act, Cap. P35, LFN,2004 and Enact the Federal Audit Service Bill,2015; and for Other Matters Related Thereto (HB.107)
xxi. A Bill for an Act of Establish the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Provide for the Engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the Policies, Projects and Participation in the Development of Nigerians and for the Purpose of utilizing the Human, Capital and Material Resources of Nigerians in Diaspora toward the overall Socio-Economic, Culture and Political Development of Nigeria; and for Other Matter Related Thereto (HB.160)
4. Some Motions Considered for the week
I. The Unfortunate Fire Disaster at the Popular Singer Market, Kano State (Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki) introduced the subject matter and prayed the House to
The House of Resolves to:
i. Commiserate with the traders, people and government of Kano state; and
ii. Urge the Federal Government to liaise with Kano State Government to come out with adequate compensation to ameliorate the losses incurred by victims of the fire disaster (HR.43/2016)
II. Illegal Removal of Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly
The House of Resolves to:
i. Condemn in unequivocal terms the purported removal of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly by only five (5) Members of the twenty (20) Members of the House of Assembly, as such the Purported removal on 16th February, 2016 is un constitutional and void;
ii. set-up and delegate a five (5) man fact finding delegation from the House to ascertain the unconstitutional removal of the Speaker and look into the affairs of the Kogi State House of Assembly with the aim of restoring the House to sanity and to ensure adherence to the Rule of law therein and Report back to the House Plenary within the next one (1) weeks; and
iii. admonish the members of the Kogi State House of Assembly and the Executive to work together in the interest of peace, rule of law and the unity of the State not to engage themselves in acts demeaning of the Parliament which may result in breakdown of law and order as the National Assembly will not Hesitate to invoke its powers to take Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should the affairs of the State House not return to normalcy after a week of the intervention of this House
III. Business continued from Assembly: Capital Expenditure Budget Roll-Over Bill, 2015 (HB.164):
The House Resolved to:
Commit the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration (Hon. Sunday Steve Karimi)
IV. Reconsideration of Outstanding Bill from the Preceding Assembly: a.) Witness Protection Programme Bill, 2015 (HB.132) and b.) Compulsory Treatment and Care of Vitamin of Gunshots Bill, 2015 (HB.119)
The House Resolved to:
Commit the Bills to the Committee of the Whole for Consideration (Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha)
V. Call for Construction of a Bridge over River Bunga to link Ningi and Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State (Hon. Salisu Zakari Ningi)
The House Resolved to:
i. Mandate the Committees on Work and Appropriations to ensure that money for the construction of a Bridge over River Bungais appropriated for in the 2016 budget; and
ii. Also mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation
VI. Call on the Executive Arm of Government to Prepare adequately for the forthcoming Census (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila)
The House Resolved to:
i. Call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to issue a proclamation for the holding of a Census in 2017; and
ii. Urge the National Population Commission to continue its exploits in technology utilization to reduce cases of irregularities and controversies to the barest minimum
VII. Urgent need for the sensitization, awareness campaign and preventive measures of the Zika Virus outbreak from entering Nigeria ( Hon. Emeka Anohu)
The House Resolved to:
i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Information to commence a massive sensitization campaign through the media houses, as this will enable Nigerians get educated on the dangers posed by this deadly virus Zika;
ii. Also urge the Ministry of Interior to make adequate provision for our immigration personnel at all entry points into the country with equipment and instant test kits to enable them prevent the incursion of this virus into our shores; and
iii. Mandate the Committee on Healthcare Services to interface with the Federal Ministry of Health to start vigorous research on Zika virus with a final view of finding the cure of same and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action
VIII. Boat Wreck that lead to the death of many people along River Hadejia in Darai, Doro, Gunka and Kargo in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State (Hon. Saidu Yusuf)
The House Resolved to:
i. Mandate the Committee on Works and other relevant Committees to look into the matter and report same to the House;
ii. Urge the Federal Government to construct standard bridge on the Hadejia River for smooth movement of the people in the area;
iii. Also urge NEMA to immediately provide standard boats for the people of the area prior to the construction of the bridge;
iv. Urge the House to set up a Committee to pay a condolence visit to the area, where a lot of people (numbering 25 – 30) lost their lives; and
v. Invite the House for one minute silence for the deceased.
IX. Reconsideration of outstanding bills from the preceding assembly (Order XII, Rule 94) (a) Anti-Torture Bill, 2015 (b) Senior Citizens Centre Bill, 2015 (Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha)
The House Resolved to:
Commit the Bills to the Committee of Whole for consideration
X. Reconsideration of outstanding bills from the preceding assembly (Order XII, Rule 94) Independent National Assembly Budget and Research Office Bill, 2015 (Hon. Timothy Golu)
The House Resolved to:
Commit the Bill to the Committee of Whole for consideration
XI. Non-Compliance with the resolution of the House by the Public Complaints Commission (Hon. Agbedi Yeitiemone)
The House Resolved to:
a) Mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to request the Public Complaints Commission to explain within 14 days why the Order of Reference as contained in the resolution was not complied with; and
b) Give effect to the Resolution of the House as contained in the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 23 September, 2014, with 30 days of this resolution
XII. Urgent need for completion of Kagara Dam in Niger State ( Hon. Abubakar Chika Adamu)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Water Resources to investigate the delay in the completion of the project despite budgetary allocations over the years and report back to the House within 6 weeks, for further legislative action.
XIII. Devastating Erosion in Mikang, Quaan-Pan and Shendam Federal Constituency of Plateau State (Hon. Johnbull Shekarau)
The House Resolved to:
a) Urge the ecological fund office to reconstruct the damaged culverts and bridges in the areas;
b) Urge the NEMA to provide relief materials to the affected families that have been trying to relocate back to their communities and to complete the construction of the refugee camp in Shendam; and
c) Mandate the Committees on Environment and Habitat, and Legislative Compliance to work out modalities to ensure rehabilitation of the affected communities and report back to the House within 4 weeks
XIV. Need to investigate the $260 million contract awarded by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) (Hon. Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Public Procurement to investigate the $260 million awarded by NAPIMS and report back to the House within 4 weeks for further legislative action
XV. Need to ensure the integrity in the issuance of Driver’s licence to reduce accidents on the highways (Hon. Philip Shaibu)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission to investigate the lack of integrity in the issuance of driver’s license and the measures being put in place to reverse the trend, and report back to the House within4 weeks for further legislative action.
XVI. Urgent need to address the problems of cross border communal clashes in Ttongeji Island, Ogun State (Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committees on Special Duties and Navy to undertake an oversight visit to Itongeji Island with a view to recommending ways to secure it in order to protect Nigerian citizens living there who are facing the risk of annexation by the neighbouring Benin Republic
XVII. Call for lifting of embargo on foreign training and international travels by public servants (Hon. Nasiru Garo)
The House Resolved to:
Mandate the Committees on Public Service Matters, Special Duties and Finance to collaborate with relevant government agencies to find out why the embargo and report back to the House within two weeks.
XVIII. Collapse of the Education sector in Barma, Ngala, Kala, Balge, Federal Constituency of Borno State and the Entire North East Zone (Hon. Mohammed Sheriff)
The House Resolved to:
Urge the Federal Government to adopt emergency measures to provide educational services in “SAVE HAVENS”, pending the complete liberation of these villages and towns in the area from Boko Haram
XIX. Urgent Need to Investigate the Sale of Eleme Petrochemical Company to Indorama Corporation by the Bureau of Public Enterprises:
The House Resolved to:
Investigate the sale of Eleme Petrochemical Company to Indorama Corporation by the Bureau of Public Enterprises and make appropriate recommendations within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
XX. Need to Ascertain the Number of Oil Mining Leases Granted by the Federal Government, their Expiry Dates and Determine whether Due Process was Complied with During Renewals: Hon. Shadimu Mutiu Alao
The House Resolves to:
Set up an Ad-hoc Committee to carry out investigations of all oil mining leases granted by the federal Government in order to ascertain their total number, expiry dates and whether due process and guidelines for the acquisition of oil and gas assets were complied with, and make appropriate recommendations to the House within five (5) weeks.
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you, let’s do this again after next sitting.
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
Babajimi Benson, MHR
