Senate Plenary on Tuesday, November 21 [Complete Updates]

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President, Bukola Saraki takes the official Prayer and leads the Chambers into today’s proceedings at 10.52am.

Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Order paper of Tuesday, 21st November, 2017.

Senator Abdullahi Yahaya moves for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 16th November, 2017. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconds. 

Senate President reads 5 letters from Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari for the passage into law of the:

1. Raw materials research and development council (Repeal and enactment) 2017 Bill, 

2. Nigeria natural medicine development agency 2017 Bill, 

3. Chartered institute of treasury management establishment Bill, 

4. Federal institute for industrial research 2017 Bill and,

5. Federal university of wukari, Taraba State.

Senate President Bukola Saraki announces that Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th November will be for the main budget debate while Thursdays will be solely dedicated to the debate on revenue and expenditure of enterprises and agencies. 

Senator Tijjani Kaura raises a petition on behalf of his constituent member who was an officer of the Nigeria Police and was suspended wrongly for 30years. 

Senator Akpan Albert raises 2 petitions from members of his constituency.    

Senator Yayi Adeola raises a petition from a member of his constituency against the Nigerian railway cooperation for wrongful dismissal without payment of salary. 

Senate President Bukola Saraki refers the petitions raised to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

DSP, Ike Ekweremadu raises a point of order on the death of former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and says he was an intellectual giant and lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

“Ekwueme’s lifestyle shows that Nigeria is not lacking in men that we can count on”, says Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“In 1999 he ran under PDP, on losing the primary election he did not threaten to tear PDP apart or say there is no democracy.” – Senator Abaribe added.

‘3 weeks ago I and my colleagues met Alex Ekwueme at the international airport on his way to Enugu and waited for almost 2 hours to board his flight.

“Alex can be described as a single Nigerian despite being from an Igbo extraction.” – Senator Ibn Na’Allah.

‘Ekwueme stands out to be a unique public figure and adjudged to be incorruptible, he left Government poorer.’-Senator James Manager.

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Senate resolves to:

1. Observe a minute silence, 

2. Send a delegate of the Senate to condole with the family, Government and people of Anambra State 

3. Call on Federal Government to immediately name the Federal Polytechnic Oko and other Federal assets after him.

Senate President Bukola Saraki.

‘It’s a great loss for the Country, Alex Ekwueme was a detribalized Nigerian that puts Nigeria 1st and showed loyalty to the former Government headed by Shehu Shagari, we truly miss him.’

Senate now moves to the MOTIONS of the day.

1. The plight of retired Judges of State high courts and the need to harmonize the process of paying the retirement benefits of all Judges of superior courts of record in Nigeria by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa states that we should not put the horse before the cat that this should be a constitutional issue that should be looked into. He urged that the motion be moved to the Committee on Judiciary for proper guidance.

Senator Chukwuka, in his response to Senator Ashafa, said that we are competent to follow through with the motion and follow up with the Committee on judiciary.

Senator Tijjani Kaura cites order 42 and speaks on the banditry attack in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State where people were killed and burnt to ashes stating that this would be brought up as a motion tomorrow for proper deliberation.

2. Funds accruing to the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission by Senator David Umaru.

Senator Aliyu Sabi supports the motion and states that the primary purpose of governance is welfare and security of people.

“As National Assembly we make laws to ensure the good governance and security of our people,” he said.

SP Bukola Saraki commends Senator Umaru for the motion as it is important, timely and ensure take off of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) stating that MDA’s should comply with the Act.

“In this Senate we are committed to see to the takeoff of this Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) and their funds remitted to them as at when due,” the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Senate moves into the consideration of reports.

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Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

That the Senate do consider the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the petitions a-d.

Senate resolves to:

a. That the disengagement of Mr. Jolomi Arenyeka and two others be sustained as the Senate was unable to support the claim of the petitioners.

b. Urge the Nigerian Army to reinstate Colonel Chidi Kalu Ukoha and pay all his entitlements and caution the Nigerian Army against arbitrary disengagement of officers.

c. Dr. Isah Mohammed to redirect his case to PHCN Nigeria.

d. 1. NHIS should release promotion letters of staff, 2. all promotion arrears and entitlements must be paid, 3. NHIS must not punish or do anything against the staff for bringing the issue to the Senate and 4. the Committee on Health to ensure compliance to Senate resolution

Senate moves into the consideration of Bills for Second reading.

1. A Bill for an Act to establish a regulatory framework for the water resources sector in Nigeria, provide for the equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface water and ground water resources 2017(SB. 479) by Sen. Ahmed Lawan.

The Bill for an Act to establish a regulatory framework for the water resources sector in Nigeria, provide for the equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface water and ground water resources 2017(SB. 479)is read the SECOND time and PASSED.

Senate President Bukola Saraki refers the Bill to the Committee on water resources to report back in 4 weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to establish the Solid Minerals producing areas development commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to address the environmental devastation and for other connected matters, 2017 (SB. 61) by Senator Tijjani Kaura.

“It is a straight forward Bill, it is not only to improve our economy but also a source of revenue to tackle environmental challenges,” says Senator Dino Melaye.

The Bill for an Act to establish the Solid Minerals producing areas development commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to address the environmental devastation and for other connected matters, 2017 (SB. 61) is read the SECOND time and PASSED.

Senate President Bukola Saraki refers the Bill to the Committee on Solid Minerals to report back in 4 weeks.

Senate Leader moves that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader Seconds.

Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday , 22nd November, 2017. 

Gavel bangs!

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