How Ike Ekweremadu presided over today’s senate plenary

As from 11:45am Nigerian time, Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu took over and presided over the Senate.

Around 10:45 am, Senate President @bukolasaraki came in with other members of the Senate Leadership.

Senate President @bukolasaraki then took the official opening prayer of the Senate.

But around 11:45, he left for his trial at the CCT.

Saraki had pledged that his on-going trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal [CCT] will not disturb the activities of the Senate.

The Senate President made this statement on Monday at the CCT.

That was after the Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar announced that the proceedings in the trial involving the Senate President will now hold on a day-to-day basis.

It would be recalled that at the preliminary stage of the trial, senators had always accompanied the Senate President to the tribunal each time the case came up for hearing.

But Saraki said now that the trial proper has commenced and the Senate is in session, he would not want the trial to affect legislative business.

“I am the one on trial not the Senate.

“Even though I have been overwhelmed by the solidarity displayed by my colleagues, it is important that the work of the Senate is not unduly affected by this process, ” he said.

The Senate President affirmed that the legislative body being an institution, would not be affected by the absence of any of the principal.

After Saraki left the Senate chambers this morning, Senator Olusola Adeyeye stated that they have done the bill several times and it is time to do the #FUPRE Bill for a final time.

AS IT HAPPENS!

Senator James Manager rises and speaks succinctly in support of the bill for an Act to establish #FUPRE

Senator Clifford Ordia says it’s time to back #FUPRE with enabling laws to allow it function well. He asks all Senators to support the bill.

Senator Omo-Agege speaks on the need for the Federal University for Petroleum Resources and how it will benefit the country.

The Bill is sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Delta Central Senatorial District and he rises for the lead debate.

1. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum and for other matters, 2016 SB. 226

Senate Leader now moves for the consideration of Bill for second reading.

Earlier the1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria  (Alteration) Bill, 2016  (SB. 253) by Senator Olusola Adeyeye  (Osun Central).

Senate Leader and Clerk of the Senate moved for the presentation of a Bill for First Reading.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide rises and support the #FUPRE Bill. He tasks all other Senators to lend their support.

DSP Ike Ekweremadu rounds off the debate on the #FUPRE Bill and refers it to the #EducationCttee for further legislative input.

Senator George Akume also rises to speak on the need for the #FUPRE Bill that the enabling laws should have been in place by now.

Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah rises and speaks on the menace of used tyres and the harm it causes.

Senator @shehusani notes the incessant road accidents due to ‘Tokunbo’ tyres and worries about the huge number of lives lost on the roads.

Comrade Senator @Shehusani now rises for the lead debate of the motion.

The first motion of the day was on the use of substandard or used tyres on Nigerian Roads by Senator @shehusani of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

Senate Leader moved to the motion(s) of the day.

DSP Ike Ekweremadu now puts the question and Senate adopts the recommendations of the #EthicsPPPCttee.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chairman of the #EthicsPPPCttee now rises and reads the recommendations of the committee on the petition.

The report is on a petition from the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, Fed. Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna against the Magt.

Senate now moves to the consideration of a report on a petition from the #EthicsPPPCttee

Deputy Minority Leader Bwacha rises to speak on the motion. He shares his experience regarding the use of substandard tyres.

Sen @benmurraybruce says it’s not a matter of choice; it’s a matter of the money available. He says economic incentives need to be in place.

Senator @benmurraybruce rises to speak and says ‘the use of used tyres is an economic issue; poor Nigerians can’t afford brand new tyres”.

Senator @MonsuratSpeaks now takes the floor and speaks in favour of the motion.

Senator Gemade stresses the need to uphold standards as Senator Phillip Gyunka takes the floor to speak in favour of the motion as well.

Senators Gbolahan Dada and Barnabas Gemade also rise to speak on the motion on the use of substandard and used tyres.

Senator Paulker tasks the VIO to do their work properly and check for vehicles that are not road-worthy.

Deputy Chief Whip Francis Alimikhena and Senator Emmauel Paulker both speak in support of the motion on the use of used tyres.

Senator @dino_melaye says he expects the NOA to collaborate with the NURTW in educating road users.

Senator @dino_melaye now takes the floor. He says tyres have expiry dates but majority don’t know when they expire.

Senator Adamu Aliero rises to support the motion; saying the government needs to come up with stringent measures against fake tyres.

Senators Kurfi and Yusuf also rises and speak in favour of the motion. They ask how these second-hand tyres enter the country.

Senator Jibrin Barau says Nigerians patronize ‘Tokunbo’ tyres because they are cheap and tasks regulatory agencies on quality assurance.

Deputy Minority Leader Bwacha rises to speak on the motion. He shares his experience regarding the use of substandard tyres.

Sen @benmurraybruce says it’s not a matter of choice; it’s a matter of the money available. He says economic incentives need to be in place.

Senator @benmurraybruce rises to speak and says ‘the use of used tyres is an economic issue; poor Nigerians can’t afford brand new tyres”.

Senator @MonsuratSpeaks now takes the floor and speaks in favour of the motion.

Senator Gemade stresses the need to uphold standards as Senator Phillip Gyunka takes the floor to speak in favour of the motion as well.

Senators Gbolahan Dada and Barnabas Gemade also rise to speak on the motion on the use of substandard and used tyres.

Senator Paulker tasks the VIO to do their work properly and check for vehicles that are not road-worthy.

Deputy Chief Whip Francis Alimikhena and Senator Emmauel Paulker both speak in support of the motion on the use of used tyres.

Senator @dino_melaye says he expects the NOA to collaborate with the NURTW in educating road users.

Senator @dino_melaye now takes the floor. He says tyres have expiry dates but majority don’t know when they expire.

Senator Adamu Aliero rises to support the motion; saying the government needs to come up with stringent measures against fake tyres.

Senators Kurfi and Yusuf also rises and speak in favour of the motion. They ask how these second-hand tyres enter the country.

Senator Sam Egwu rises to support the motion and tasks Committees to do more oversight to ensure implementation of matters passed.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi now rises and chides manufacturers on their greed which leads to the production of substandard goods such as tyres.

DSP Ike Ekweremadu says regulatory agencies should wake up; not just regarding tyres but about other products as well.

DSP Ike Ekweremadu now puts the question regarding the resolution of the motion.

Senate accordingly resolves to urge the SON to immediately and strictly enforce Section17 of the SON Act.

Senate also urges SON to partner with the @CustomsNG to intensify borders and ports checks where substandard tyres are brought into Nigeria.

Senate also urges the @FRSCNigeria and VIO to conduct quick checks on all tyres in use in Nigeria.

Senator @dino_melaye adds a prayer that massive sensitization of road users be conducted. Senator Gumel seconds.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi also makes an additional prayer and Senator Theodore Orji seconds.

Senate Leader now moves that the second motion of the day be stepped down. Senate Minority Leader seconds.

Senate Leader now moves that the third motion of the day be taken. The Motion on the urgent need to reorganize and reposition NIPOST.

The motion to reorganize and reposition the Nigerian Postal Service for urgent performance is sponsored by Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi South)

Senator Ali Wakili takes the floor for the lead debate. He speaks of the challenges of turning NIPOST to an ideal 21st Century Organization.

Senator Wakili stresses the strength and infrastructures of NIPOST and how it can help to increase revenue.

DSP Ekweremadu now goes directly to the prayers of the motion on the urgent need to reorganize and reposition NIPOST for optimal performance

Senator @dino_melaye makes an additional prayer that e-payments be allowed in the services of NIPOST. Senator @benmurraybruce seconds.

Senate Leader moves that the fourth motion of the day be stepped down to the next legislative day. Minority Leader @senAkpabio seconds.

Senate Leader now moves that Senate be adjourned to the next legislative day. The Minority Leader seconds.

DSP Ekweremadu announces that Service Chiefs will be briefing the Senate at 1pm tomorrow on efforts to rescue the #ChibokGirls #HopeEndures

DSP Ekweremadu adds that it’s sequel to the resolution that Senate passed last week in commemoration of the 2Years of the abduction!

DSP Ike Ekweremadu now puts the question and plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 20th April 2016.

#GavelBangs

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