Senate President Bukola Saraki reads a letter from President Buhari requesting consideration of Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2017/2018 and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
President Buhari requests for expeditious consideration of the MTEF & FSP by the Senate.
Senators Mao Ohuabunwa and Tayo Alasoadura presented petitions from their constituents it is referred to Ethics PPP Committee
Senate President Bukola Saraki reminds his colleagues of the decision on oversight to further improve their legislative duties.
Senate Leader Ali Ndume announces that the time table will be ready by tomorrow and moves to presentation of bills for first reading.
1. Chattered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria (Establishment, etc.) Bill. 2016 ( HB. 28) by Senate Leader .
2. Petroleum Training Institute Act CAP P16 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB.251) by Senate Leader
3. Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act NO. 14 of 2006 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB. 287) by Senate Leader .
4. Value Added Tax Act CAP V1 LFN 2004 ( Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB. 293) by Senate Leader.
5. Veterinary Surgeons Act CAP V3 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB. 294) by Senate Leader.
Senate now moves to Presentation of Report.
Senator Obinna Ogba lays the Report of the Committee on Sports on the National Lottery Act,2005 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (SB.227).
Reports of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Committee on Air force is stood down over absence of the Committee Chairmen.
Senate Leader Ali Ndume now moves for motions to be taken.
The first motion is a motion by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai and 17 other lawmakers on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East .
Sen. Baba Kaka noted the unfolding Humanitarian Crisis in the North East and the gross loss of lives of children below 5 years.
Sen. Baba Kaka further notes that UNICEF reports indicates that 4.5million people are in dire need of assistance.
He also recalled that Senate had raised the amount proposed by the executive in the budget for the IDPS from 6billion to 10 billion Naira in recognition of the dire situation in the North East.
He called on his colleagues to support this motion and launch a full investigation into how these funds have been utilized from inception.
Senate Leader Ali Ndume spoke in support of the motion explaining the traumatic situation of IDP and inhabitants of the North East.
He noted that trucks are being diverted on a daily basis in their numbers and pleaded with his colleagues to support the motion.
DSP Ike Ekweremadu decried state of affairs in the N/E and the diversion of funds meant for relief material to the detriment of human lives .
Senator Sam Anyanwu takes the floor saying that with the intensity of the crisis deliberations is not necessary rather an Ad-hoc committee.
Should be set up to launch a full investigation into the situation of things in the North East.
“All members of the legislature must be involved in restoring the situation in the North East” – Senator Barnabas Gemade
“We need to know exactly what comes in as foreign assistance and what we actually do as a government,” said Senator Ahmed Lawan.
“There is need for the affected states to have a close relationship with FG agencies to ensure engagement,” Senator Lawan added.
“I want to suggest that as we criticize the operations we as a senate should also rise and do our parts to support” – Senator George Akume
“Nigerians should not be taken for a ride again, they need to know what is happening those found guilty should be punished” -Sen George Akume
“We have everything it takes to take care of the IDP’s and the North East” – Senator George Akume
“If care is not taken the IDP centers will incubate into centers of social crises that will surmount Boko Haram”- Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi
——
“If care is not taken the IDP centers will incubate into centers of social crises that will surmount Boko Haram,” said Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi.
Deputy Senate Leader Ibn N’allah, Senators Joshua Lidani and Adamu Aliero also supported the motion.
The senate resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to conduct a public hearing to investigate diversion of grains reserves and how funds have been utilized from inception to date.
Senator James Manager adds that all Senators should contribute 100,000 naira each in support of the IDP’s to show seriousness of the Senate.
Senator Adamu Aliero amends the additional prayer raising the sum to 300,000 Naira.
SP Bukola Saraki puts the question and lawmakers of the Senate resolve to contribute 300,000 Naira each to ease the plight of IDPs.
Senator Adamu Aliero further adds that those found guilty should be prosecuted SP Bukola Saraki puts the question & it received a loud NAAAAYYY!
Senate President Bukola Saraki appreciates the sponsors of the motion.
Senate President Bukola Saraki described the situation as outcome of poor coordination, slow response and massive monumental corruption.
SP Bukola Saraki says that UN activates cluster system when they lose faith in the ability of the agency to distribute relief material.
As a serious chamber we will set up Ad-hoc committee to look into this matter urgently & report back in 2weeks no cover ups, says Bukola Saraki.
Senate President Bukola Saraki announces 8 members of the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the plight of the IDP’S.
The Ad-hoc committee member are Senators Shehu Sani Ali Wakili, Theodore Orji, Yahaya Ben Murray Bruce, Oluremi Tinubu, Tayo Alasoadura, Solomon Olamilekun and Yahaya Abdullahi.
A second motion is a motion on the Demise of Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirevba Ibru (OFR) by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and two others.
One minute silence is observed in honour of the Late Olorogun Ibru .
The third motion is a motion on Indiscriminate blasting of rocks in the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of Nigeria in total neglect of Nigerian Laws and International best practices, by Senator T.A Orji.
The senate resolved to mandate the Committee on Solid Minerals to liaise with the Ministry of Petroleum & Solid Minerals to take stock of all quarry sites in the country and ensure strict compliance with laws of Nigeria and International standard requirements.
The fourth motion is a motion on the urgent need for value orientation and re-introduction of history as a course of study in the nation’s educational sector by Senator Ali Wakili.
Sen. Wakili observed that due to changes in the educational system teaching of history & it’s study to university level has been phased out.
He says that scholars & observers believe that absence of historical study is responsible for deterioration of our value system.
The senate resolves to call on all arms of government & all institutions to initiate means of rejuvenate & arrest the fallen value system.
To immediately re-introduce the study of History as a core subject and degree of its own and direct NOA to discharge its statutory duties.
The 5th motion on impending Power Sector Shutdown in Nigeria occasioned by Liquidity Crisis is stood down to another legislative day.
The sixth motion is a motion on the Total State of Disrepair and Collapse of Enugu -Onitsha Federal Highway by Senator Sam Egwu.
The senate notes with concern the dilapidated state and collapse of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual carriage way making journey on it trauma
Senate expressed worry that the collapse of this road has virtually cut off South Eastern States from other parts of the Federation.
Senate Leader moves to suspend all other items on the order paper to another legislative day and the Minority Leader seconds .
Senate President Bukola Saraki announces the committee timetable for oversight functions see to commence second week of October.
Senate Leader adds that the reports from the oversight functions will be submitted before the end of November and moves for adjournment.
Minority Leader seconds and SP Bukola Saraki puts the question and Senate adjourns Plenary to Wednesday 5th October 2016.
Gavel bangs!
© Copyright 2016 www.elombah.com; Send eyewitness accounts/reports/articles to publisher@elombah.com; follow us on twitter handle @Elombah; like our Facebook page: “Elombah.com”