The House of Representatives this Week May 16 – 20, 2016
#RepsThisWeek
The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (May 16 – 20, 2016)
1. House of Representatives Sectoral Debate / Special Session on new PMS price
The House had a special session with the Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on the recent deregulation of the Petroleum Downstream Sector in Nigeria where the Minister made a presentation on the new framework for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply and distribution.
Also in continuation of the House’s Sectoral Debate on the “Diversification of the Nigerian Economy: Real Sector Development” with different Ministries concerned with the topic been invited to present the perspective of the Executive branch, on the diversification of the economy from the standpoint of their different Ministries, the following Ministers have made presentations to the House;
Hon. Minister of Finance/ Solid Mineral, Dr. Kayode Fayemi
Hon. Minister of Communications, Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu
2. Some Committee Reports Presented to the House for the week
3. Some Petitions presented this week
4. Some Bills Presented for first reading
i.) Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
5. Some Bills Consolidated for the week
i.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Prisons Act, Cap. P29, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Re-enact the Nigerian Prisons and Correctional Service, to make Comprehensive Provisions for Administration of Prisons in Nigeria; and for Other Related Matters and a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Prisons Act, Cap. P.29, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Re-enact the Nigerian Prisons Services, to make Comprehensive Provisions for the Administration of Prisons in Nigeria, and for Other Related Matters; (Hon. Orker-Jev Emmanuel Yisa).
ii.)
6. Some reports considered for the week
i.) 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)
ii.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and for Other Matters Connected Thereto, (HB. 381)
iii.) Committee on Public Petitions:
(a) Report on the Petition by Technical Trainee Graduates Association against the Nigerian Ports Authority on alleged non-placement of the petitioners after their Training
Recommendations;
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 their disengagement.
In the alternative, the Nigerian Ports Authority should pay each of the petitioners N2,000,000 (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.
(b) Petition by Mrs Elizabeth Awan against Diamond Bank PLC on the termination of her appointment;
Recommendation;
Urge the Bank to pay the petitioner the sum of N4, 674,218.95 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighteen Naira and Ninety Five Kobo) only being her retirement entitlements
(c) Petition by Tajudeen Anthony Alade against the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on alleged discrimination in the promotion interview conducted by the Corporationto fill the vacant post of a Deputy Director
Recommendation:
Urge the House to discountenance the petition for lack of merit
(d) Report on the Petition by Miss Nkechi Okeugo against the Nigeria Customs Service on alleged dismissal from service
(e) Report on the Petition by Iduemre Ochuko against the University of Benin on alleged wrongful termination of appointment
(f) Report on the Petition by Mr. Abraham Ebhoaye on National Pension Commission’s application of the New Pension Scheme rather than the Old Scheme in the calculation of his Pension Entitlement
(g) Report on the Petition by SCA Adiele C. C. against the Nigeria Customs Service on alleged wrongful retirement
(h) Petition by Owanemi Theophilus against the Nigerian AGIP Oil Company (NAOC) over alleged negligence which resulted in the death of Fourteen (14) people.
Recommendation;
Urge the Nigerian AGIP Oil Company (NAOC) to pay a compensation of N10, 000,000.00(Tem Million Naira only to the respondent;
Request the respondent to ensure that such compensation is paid into an account belonging to the wife of the deceased; and
Commend the respondent for her effort to ameliorate the pains of the victims of the incident, while also advising it to be more diligent in carrying out similar repairs in her facilities
(i) Petition by aggrieved Staff of Nigerian Export Promotion Council against the Management of the Council
Recommendation;
Urge the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to reflect Federal Character Principles in the exercise;
Promote all officers due for promotion;
Ensure that no officer is punished or victimized for his role in writing the petition; and
The Executive Secretary should revert to status quo ante bellum pending the outcome of on-going investigations on promotion and disciplinary actions embarked upon by the agency
(j) Petition by Sani Abakura against the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) on alleged unlawful disengagement from service
Recommendation;
Ignore the plea by the petitioner, Sani Abakura for reinstatement and uphold the termination of his appointment in the interest of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC);
The respondent, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) should pay the petitioner his full outstanding salaries, other allowances plus his gratuity;
Considering the seriousness of the allegations against the respondent that bother on impropriety, financial and otherwise as they concern communications and public relations, environment and community relations (payment of compensation) and expediting and logistics department, the Committee on Public Petition is still investigating the matter and will make its report available to the House in due course.
iii.) 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 Matters (HB. 224) Committee of the Whole: 5/5/2016
iv.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria to Provide for the Control of its Membership and to Promote the Practice of Loan and Risk Management in Nigeria and for Other Connected Purposes; (HB. 77) (Committee of theWhole16/12/2015)
v.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Treaty to Establish African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament (Accession and Jurisdiction) Act. Cap. T.25, 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 Matters; (HB. 243) (Committee of the Whole: 5/5/2016).
vi.) Interim report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Deregulation of Petroleum downstream Sector
Recommendations;
Urge the House resolves to support the Executive Arm of Government in the deregulation initiative in the greater interest of the Nigerian economy;
Urge the Executive Arm to ensure full and speedy implementation of the Appropriation Act, 2016, as therein lies much of the palliatives that would help in calming the current situation;
Also urge the organized Labour to continue to show understanding of the situation, while dialoguing in the interest of its teeming membership and Nigeria; and
Urge the House to grant an extension of 2 weeks beyond the initial 1 week to enable it conclude the work more effectively
7. Some Bills Considered for second reading
i.) A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Late Payment, Non-Payment and Underpayment of Worker’s Wages, Pensions and Other Emoluments in Nigeria and Prescribe Penalties for Violations and for Other Related Matters, (HB. 479) (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila)
ii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Immigration Act, 2015 to make further Provisions to Restrict and Regulate the issuance of Work Permit to Foreign Nationals and for Other Related Matters, (HB. 480) (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila)
iii.) 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 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. 74, HB. 449) (Hon. Umar Buba Jibril and Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
iv.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act, Cap. C52, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Increase the Functions of the Commission; a Bill for an Act to Introduce Peace Studies as part of the Basic National Curricular in both the Junior and Secondary Schools in Nigeria; and a Bill for an Act to Provide Compulsory, Free Meal a day for Children of ages 6-8 and classes 1-2 in Universal Basic Education Schools in Nigeria; and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 155, HB.419 and HB. 420) (Hon. Goni Bukar, Lawan, Hon. Beni Lar and Hon. Muhammad Usman)
v.) A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 3 of the First Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reflect the proper Name of ‘Barkin Ladi’ Local Government Area of Plateau State and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 503) (Hon. Istifanus Dung Gyang)
vi.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Programme for Immunization Act, 1997 to Transfer the functions of the National Programme on Immunization to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; (HB. 14) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
vii.) A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Railway Loan (International Bank) Act. Cap. R2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith; HB. 300) (Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari)
viii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provision for a change of Name of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi to J. S. Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 528) (Hon. John Dyegh)
ix.) A Bill for an Act to Abrogate the Legislative Powers Delegated to Executive, Administrative, Judicial and Other Offices, Officers, Agencies and Authorities for the Determination, Imposition, Increase, Cancellation, Withdrawal or Reduction of Taxes, Duties, Tariffs and Fees and to Prohibit the exercise of such Powers without the Approval of the National Assembly, pursuant to Section 59(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 508) (Hon. Garba Datti Muhammed)
x.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Agency for Ethics and Values to Provide for the Functions and Powers of the Agency, the Qualifications and Procedures for Appointment of the Chairman and Members, and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 519) (Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai)
xi.) A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of Sections 262 and 277 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to increase the Jurisdiction of the of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State by including Criminal Matters of Hudud and Qisas and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 530) (Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame)
xii.) A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Marine Insurance Bureau to take charge of and collect Insurance Levies on all charges of Crude Oil or Gas leaving the Shores of the Country and to check the Billions of Dollars Capital Flight which Nigeria loses to Foreign Insurance Companies who Monopolize and Specialize in Marine Insurance in the Country and for Other Related Matter; (HB. 515) (Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo)
xiii.) A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Housing Fund Act, Cap. N. 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 521) (Hon. Solomon Adaelu)
xiv.) A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Make it Mandatory for Candidates Running Elections for Presidential, Gubernatorial and Chairmanship Offices to undergo Primary Elections with their running mates and for Other Related Matters; (HB. 469) (Hon. Olatayo Temitope Sugar) – Second Reading.
8. Some Motions Considered for the week
i.) Invitation of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other stakeholders on the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria
The House resolved:
a) Constitute an Adhoc Committee to interface with other stakeholders like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Civil Rights Organizations including stakeholders in the petroleum industry and report back to the House within one week;
b) Urge the NLC to suspend its planned strike action pending the outcome of the report of the adhoc committee set up by the House.
ii.) Need to intervene in the lingering crisis rocking the Nigerian Football Federation (Hon. Prestige Ossy Chinedu)
The House resolved;
a) Mandate the Committee on Sport to invite all the stakeholders including the Minister of Sport, Head of legal department of the Sports Ministry and officials of the Nigerian Football Federation to reach a harmonious conclusion on this lingering crisis and report to the House within two weeks.
iii.) Business Continued from Assembly to Assembly Order XII, Rule 96 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives: Environmental Managers Registration Council of Nigeria Bill, 2015 (Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta)
The House resolved to;
Commit the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration
iv.) Reconsideration of Outstanding Bills from the Preceding Assembly Order XII, Rule 94: Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists (Registration, Etc.) Bill, 2015 (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta)
The House resolved to:
Commit the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
v.) Need to Supply Relief Materials to Victims of Rainstorm in Anambra East/West Federal Constituency (Hon. Tony Nwoye)
The House resolved to:
Urge the National Emergency Management Agency to urgently provide relief materials for the displaced victims.
vi.) Need to stop importation into Nigeria of cancer-infested tomato paste (Hon. Nicholas Ossai)
The House resolved to:
a) Mandate the Committees on Health Services, and Drug and Narcotics to investigate the reported importation of fake, substandard and cancer-causing tomato paste into the country and report back to the House within one week;
b) Urge the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to step up its activities and live up to the expectation of the country
vii.) Call for the Federal Government to Intervene and do the Needful on the persistent Gridlock on Apapa-Mile 2 Oshodi Lagos, Expressway (Hon. Enitan Dolapo Badru)
The House resolved to:
a) Call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, determine the causes of gridlock with a view to eliminating them; and
b) Also call on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to rehabilitate the failed portions of the road in order to ease the suffering of road users.
viii.) A Call for Suspension of the Plan to Introduce Stun Guns to replace Fire Arms (Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji)
The House resolved to:
a) Urge the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to suspend the introduction of Stun guns till a time when the state of insecurity in the country would have abated reasonably;
b) Also urge the Nigeria Police Force to regularly train and retrain their personnel on the proper use of firearms and how to relate with the civil populace;
c) Mandate the Committee on Police Affairs to liase with the Inspector-General of Police to ensure implementation and full compliance to the resolution of the House on the matter
ix.) Calling on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete all its Abandoned Projects in Edo State (Hon. Patrick Aisowieren)
The House resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on NDDC to, as a matter of urgency, include those projects in the NDDC 2017 budget to ensure their completion
x.) Need to compel the Nigerian Civil Aviation and other relevant Regulatory Authorities in the Aviation Sector to Conduct Routine Checks on the State of Aircrafts Operating within Nigeria and make Public their Reports thereon (Hon. Sergious Ose Ogun)
The House resolved to;
a) Mandate the Committee on Aviation to investigate the activities of the Nigeria Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with a view to ascertain the extent which they comply with their responsibilities of ensuring the airworthiness of airlines operating within the nation’s airspace; and
b) Urge the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) to ensure regular update of weather conditions for the departure of an aircraft and ensure that airline operators do not schedule flights for periods where air transportation is unsafe.
#RepsThisWeek
Thank you; let’s do this again after next sitting.
Babajimi Benson, MHR
JB… Cares #JustBelieve
