10:51a.m.
It’s a new legislative day in the Nigerian Senate. Senate President Bukola Saraki leads the Senate Leadership into Plenary.
Senators Matthew Urhoghide and Ali Wakili present petitions from their respective senatorial districts.
Senator Mohammed Sabo moves for the approval of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday 13th December, 2016. Senator Stella Oduah seconds.
Senators Jibrin Barau, Dino Melaye and Benjamin Uwajumogu also lay petitions before the Senate.
They are all referred to the Ethics PPP Committee.
Breaking: Buhari Moves Budget Presentation from 12am to 2pm
Sen Monsurat raises a Point of Order on the continued closure of the Ladoke Akintola University [LAUTECH] owned by Oyo State government and IpinleOsun.
Senate President Bukola Saraki rules that the Point Of Order by Sen Monsurat to reopen LAUTECH will be taken at the next legislative day.
Senator Jibrin Barau also raises a Point of Order on the recent directive against the importation of vehicles by land borders.
The Point of Order on the policy against the prohibition of vehicle importation by land borders is to be taken at the next legislative day.
Senate moves to the presentation of bills for first reading.
1. Federal Polytechnic Kabo (Est., Etc) Bill 2016 SB. 406 by Senator Jibrin Barau
2. Child Rights Act 2003 Amendment Bill 2016 SB. 410 by Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North)
3. Facial Mutilation (Prohibition) Bill 2016 SB. 407 by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West)
Senate moves to the presentation and consideration of reports
1. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East is laid by Senator Shehu Sani.
Senator Shehu Sani moves for the consideration of the report. He speaks on the pitiable plight of a projected 5.1Million IDPs in the N/East.
1:07p.m.
Senator Shehu Sani says NGOs are doing most of the humanitarian work as well as @UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and the Dangote Group.
Senator Shehu Sani notes while the Federal Ministry of Health was no where to be found; Nigerian Air Force, NEMA & Borno SEMA were visible.
Senator Shehu Sani also points out that the PINE took an undue advantage of the emergency situation to overinflate contracts.
Senator Shehu Sani also says contract awards by the Presidential Initiative on NE PINE contravened several parts of the public procurement acts.
Senator Shehu Sani also says the new Initiative on the N/E should coordinate all the efforts to support the IDPs.
Senator Shehu Sani concludes that the Federal Ministry of Health should immediately move its personnel to the IDP Camps in N/East Nigeria.
Senator Dino Melaye now comments on the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on mounting humanitarian crisis in the North East.
“The company owned by SGF Babachir Lawal to which he resigned as a director in Sept. 2016 but still a signatory to the company’s account”.
Senator Dino Melaye says the action of SGF Babachir Lawal is an embarrassment to the @APCNigeria and totally an Anti-Buhari tendency.
Senator Dino Melaye says the Secretary to the Govt. of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal should immediately resign and be prosecuted.
Senator Yayi Adeola rises to speak on the report. He says “the actions of the FG in recent times is nothing to write home about.”
Senator Yayi Adeola also says that Engr David Babachir Lawal should immediately resign his appointment as SGF and be prosecuted accordingly.
Sen. Urhoghide speaks on the Committee Report. He is particular about the need for the Health Ministry to move its personnel to the IDP Camps.
Senate moves to the recommendations of the Committee Report. Senate Leader Ali Ndume however points out that this is an interim report.
Senate approves that contracts for the IDPs must pass through the Bureau for Public Enterprises for proper valuation.
Senate also approves the recommendation that the new PCNI coordinate relief activities for the IDPs in the North East.
Senate also approves the recommendation that personnels of the Federal Ministry of housing [FMOH] Nigeria move to the IDP Camps in the North East.
Senate also approves the recommendation that any Government Official found culpable of sharp practices be suspended and prosecuted.
