The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (January 12 – 15, 2016)
1. Message from the President
Nil
2. Petitions from the following bodies/ persons were presented and laid
i.) Petition presented and laid by Hon. Sodaguwo Adegadiza Festus-Omoni from Imiringi, Otuasega, Oruma, and Elebele Youths Union (MOOTEL) on the blockage of the Kolo Creek River in Ogbia, Bayelsa State by Nestoil plc
3. Some Bills Presented for first reading
i.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Archives Act, Cap. N6, LFN, 2004 to increase the amount paid as fine for the commission of an offence by any person under the Act and for other Matterss connected therewith (Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam)
ii.) A Bill for an Act to amend the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization Act, Cap N13, LFN 2004 to provide for private sector participation, promotion of commercial agriculture and for other related Matterss (Hon. Abdullahi Umar Faruk)
4. Some Bills for Second reading
i.) A bill for an Act to National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act, Cap.N4, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for other Matterss connected therewith (HB.237) (Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno)
ii.) A bill for an Act to Amend the Currency Conversation (Freezing Orders) Act, Cap. P36, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. 2004 to give Discretionary powers to the judge of the high court to order forfeiture of assets of affected persons; and for other Matterss connected therewith (HB. 274) (Hon. Ahmed Idris)
iii.) A bill for an act to amend the Produce (Enforcement of Export Standards) Act, Cap. P32, LFN, 2004 to Review the Penalties Impose under the Act and for Other Related Matterss (HB.219) (Hon. Uzoma nkem-Abonta)
iv.) A bill for an Act to the Public order act, cap. P42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, in order to make Provisions for at least Five days’ notice to be given to the police by any person or group who desires to hold meetings, Assemblies, processions or protests for the purpose of giving protection and preventing the disruption of peaceful exercise of fundamental rights of Nigerians and for other related Matterss (HB. 250) (Hon. Toby Okechukwu)
v.) A bill for an act to amend the Economic and financial crimes commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, Cap.E1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for among others, the restructuring of the commission; and for other Matterss related therewith (HB. 227) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
vi.) A bill for an Act to Amend the water Resources Act, Cap.W2, LFN,2004 to Review Upward the Stipulated Fines and penalties for offences under the Act and for Other Related Matters (Hon. Osassi Nicholas Osassi)
vii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2011 to Align it with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Restore the Sovereignty of the Naira as the National Currency, Ensure Transparency of its Funding and Entrench Parliamentary Accountability; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.114) (Hon. Shehu N. Garba)
viii.) A bill for an Act to Amend the Quantity Surveyors (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. Q1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to among other, increase the Fines under the Act; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.252) (Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi)
ix.) A bill for an Act to Amend the Mortgage Institutions Act,Cap.M19 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ,2004 to review upward the Penalties under the Act; and for Other Related Matters (HB.253) (Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi)
x.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the promotion of Democracy Commission to Guarantee Democracy in the Local Government and Other tiers of Government and to ensure greater probity and Transparency in Handling of Revenues belonging to the Local Government Council and Other Tiers of Government and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.165) (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok)
xi.) A Bill for an to Amend the weights and Measures Act, Cap.W3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upward the Fines Stipulated for Offences under the Act; and for Other Related Matters (HB.265)
xii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. V1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upward the Fines and Penalties Specified for Offences under the Act; and for Other Related Matters (HB.293) (Hon Chike John Okafor)
xii.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Public Service Institute of Nigeria to be a World Class Center of Excellence in transforming Public Sector Governance, Management and Leadership Development; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.59)
xiii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Petroleum Training Institute Act,Cap.P16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 to empower the Board to remove a staff of the Institute; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.251) (Hon. Victor Nwokolo)
xvi.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Ahmadu Bello University (Transitional Provisions) Act, Cap. A14, LFN, 2004; and for Other Related Matters (HB.260)
xv.) A Bill for an Act to Amend Bees (Import and Management) Act, Cap. B6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to review the Penalty and Compensation in order to make the Act more effective; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 238)
xvi.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, Cap. N40, LFN, 2004 to reduce the Membership of the Governing Board and Empower the Board to Regulate the Import and Export of Movies; and for Other Related Matterss (HB. 224)
xvii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Agency for Population Programmes and Development Act, Cap. N2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to charge the Qualification of the Chairman of the Board from a highly respected to a highly qualified expert; and for other Related Matterss (HB.276)
xviii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, Cap. M22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upwards the Penalties under the Act; and for other Matters related thereto (HB. 278)
xix.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the 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 (HB.48)
xx.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Inland Waterway Authority Act, Cap. N47, LFN 2004 And to Enact the National Inland Waterway Authority Act to provide for the Management, Regulation and Development of the National Inland Waterway in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters (HB.48) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
xxi) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, No. 5 of 2000 to modify the Definition of Bank and Money Instrument, Review the Composition of the Commission and Harmonise the Tenure of Office of the Member; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 232) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
xxii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute Act, Cap. A10, LFN, 2004 to allow other Federal Universities participate on the board of the Institute; and for other related Matterss (HB. 241)
xxiii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Minimum Wage Act, Cap. N6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to exclude the Establishments that have foreign Participation from the list of Establishment exempted from the Payment of National Minimum Wage; and for other Matterss related thereto (HB. 281)
xxiii) A Bill for an Act to Amend the University of Abuja Act, Cap. U2, LFN, 2004 to make Unambiguous the heading of section 3 of the act; and for other related Matterss (HB. 262)
xxvi) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Treaty to Establish the African Economic Community Related to the Pan-African Parliament (Accession and Jurisdiction) Act, Cap. T25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by giving it Additional Powers to Propose, Submit or Recommend Draft Model Laws to the Assembly; and for other related Matterss (HB. 243)
xxv) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, Cap. A15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for other Matterss connected therewith (HB. 136)
xxvi) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Town Planners (Registration, etc) Act, Cap. T7, LFN, 2004, to Regulate the Tenure of Council Members upon Re-Appointment, Review Panel Fines; and for other related Matterss (HB. 256)
xxvi) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Boundary Commission Act, Cap. N10, LFN, 2004, so as to make Appointment of some Member of the Commission to be on full time; and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.187)
xxvii) A Bill to amend the Anatomy Act, Cap. A16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by increasing the Prescribed Penalties and Other Matters Related Thereto (HB.277) (Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba)
xxviii.) A Bill for an Act Amend the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Funds Act, Cap. A11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Expand the Membership of the Board of the Funds to cover the Interest of Farmers, increase the amount to be paid into the Funds, Raise the Commitment of the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria and increase the maximum amount to attract a waiver of Security Requirement for Other Matters Related Thereto(HB.239) (Hon. Mohammed T. Monguno)
xxix.) 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 is no qualified persons, in order to avoid stagnation, redundancy and to encourage effective service delivery and for other Matterss connected therewith (HB. 53) (Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar)
xxx.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision) Act, Cap. C35, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide Mental Element to be introduced and for other Matterss connected therewith (HB. 291) (Hon. Jones Onyereri)
xxxi.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Dishonoured cheques (Offences) Act, Cap. D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Address the Loopholes in the Act, to Review the Penalties and for other Matterss related thereto (HB. 288) (Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke)
`xxxii.) A Bill for an Act to Regulate Commodities Future Trading in Nigeria; Provide for the Establishment of the Commodities Future Trading Commission and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.31) (Hon. Nkem Uzoma-Abonta)
xxxiii.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Youth Development Commission and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB.122) (Hon. Samaila Suleiman)
xxxiv.) 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 (HB. 206) (Hon. Beni Lar)
xxxv.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Registration etc. Act Cap. M9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 (HB.181) (Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam)
xxxvi.) 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 Matterss 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 corps 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 Matterss connected therewith (HB. 82) (Hon. Joan Onyemaehi Mrakpor)
xxxvii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Dangerous Drugs Act, Cap. D1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to give powers to the minister of health to regulate certain classes of drugs, allow arrests to be effected by members of the public and review the prescribed penalty provided under the act; and for other related Matterss (HB. 292) (Hon. Chike John Okafor)
5.) Some of the Motions considered for the week
i. Urgent Needs by Banks to Comply with CBN Directive on Zero COT Charges by Banks: (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok)
The House Resolved to:
(a) Urge the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately ensure full implementation of the zero COT by commercial banks;
(b) Also urge the CBN to order deposit banks to refund all COT charges this year, giving them 30 days to refund or face severe penalties; and
© Mandate the committee on banking and currency to ensure compliance and report back to the house within four (4) weeks.
ii. Unfortunate Gas Explosion at Nnewi Industrials Town on the 24th December, 2015:
The House Resolved to:
(a) Observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives as a result of the unfortunate events of 24 December, 2015 as we commiserate with their families in this time of bereavement; and
(b.) Call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies of the Federal Government to accelerate efforts to ensure that the injured receive the necessary care, material comfort and assistance they need to get back on their feet as quickly as possible (Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu)
iii. Urgent Need for the Completion of Bagel- Zungur Irrigation Scheme in Bauchi State
The House Resolved to:
(a) Urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and the Upper Benue River Development Authority to, as a Matters of urgency, review the design and cost of the project and make adequate budgetary provision in the 2016 budget proposal for its completion; and
(b.) Also urge the Committees on water Resources and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance (Hon. Shehu Aliyu Musa)
iv. Urgent Need to Stop the Embarrassing Outbreak of Lassa Fever Virus in Nigeria and the Need to Step up the Fight Against Further Spread and Loss of Lives:
The House Resolved to:
(a.) Observe a minute silence for the repose of the souls of those innocent Nigerians who died as a result of this killer virus;
b.) Urge the Federal Ministry of Health. National Centre for Disease Control and other relevant Agencies to put more effort in containing and stamping out of this killer virus in Nigeria and also put a permanent preventive measure in place; and
c.) Also urge the Federal Government to make available to the relevant Agencies the adequate funding needed to tackle this Lassa fever outbreak in-the Nation as a Matters of emergency
v. Incessant Deportation of Nigerian Refugees from Cameroun:
The House Resolved to:
(a) Send a high – powered delegation to be led by the Deputy Speaker or in his absence the Majority Leader of the House to convey its deep concern on this unfortunate development to the speaker/ Head of Parliament of the Republic of Cameroun, as soon as possible;
b.) request the Federal Government, through the office of the Honourable Minister of foreign Affairs, to immediately summon the Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, to register Nigeria’s grave displeasure with the unacceptable deportation of Nigerian Refugees from Cameroun; and
c.) Consider any other additional measure(s), deemed necessary in order to protect the dignity of Nigerian Refugees in Cameroun, and prevent further violation of all their rights, as enshrined in the various Conventions, Statutes and Protocols listed above.
vi. Need for Provision of Infrastructure in Mpape, Durumi, Lokogoma, Galadimawa and Other Districts in Abuja Metropolis being developed by Private Entrepreneurs
The House Resolved to:
Urge the Federal Capital Territory Administration to provide infrastructure in Mpape, Durmi, Lokogoma, Galadimawa and other districts in Abuja Metropolis, being developed privately by Enerepreneurs (Hon. Lovette Ederin Idisi)
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you, let’s do this again after next sitting.
Babajimi Benson, MHR
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
