Senate reverted back to plenary.
Senate President Bukola Saraki reported progress from the Committee of the Whole on the Ministerial Screening of Professor Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan.
He put the question and the Nigerian Senate in plenary confirmed the nomination of Professor Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan as Ministers.
Senate President Bukola Saraki congratulated the two Ministerial Nominees and hoped their contributions to Federal Election Commission would add immense value to the nation.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT
1. Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East. Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East.
-That the Senate do consider the report of Ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in respect of a motion on the Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East by Senator Shehu Sani.
Senator Shehu Sani who chairs the Ad-hoc Committee took the Floor.
He said the Committee did a meticulous job and even visited the North East Region.
He spoke on how the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) flagrantly flouted Procurement Laws in Contract Awards.
Senator Shehu Sani pointed out anomalies such as that Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) awarded normal contracts as emergency ones and flouted clear bidding processes.
He pointed out inconsistencies in dates and that the contract award for invasive plant species in Yobe State was shrouded in fraud.
Senator Shehu Sani said there is no document of Federal Election Commission approval of Presidential Initiative on North East contracts of more than N50 million as required by Public Procurement Act.
He added that Presidential Initiative on North East project and contracts had no direct bearing or effect on the people of the North East nor IDPs in North East Region.
Senator Shehu Sani said PINE contributed N50Million to two different Humanitarian Conferences and less than N2Million to IDPs themselves.
He said a lot of PINE Contract were awarded to friends and cronies of people in Government.
He said they confirmed from BVN records at Central Bank that suspended SGF Babachir Lawal is still signatory to one of the companies.
Senator Shehu Sani said there is acute malnutrition, starvation and hunger amidst IDPs in North East Nigeria.
He said 40 trucks of Grains meant for IDPs in the North East was also criminally diverted.
Senator Shehu Sani also said13 other accounts carrying the same BVN was also linked to the suspended SGF Babachir Lawal.
Senator Shehu Sani said the SGF breached his oath of office and should be disciplined immediately by relevant agencies.
Senator Na’Allah said there was a different amount for contract awarded N200million and also another amount for consultant fee N20million.
He stated “The report is no longer ‘balderdash’ and every kobo wrongful spent must be recovered.”
“Laid down contract procedures were flouted. Economic Financial Crime Commission should go into work immediately.” -Senator Goerge Sekibo.
Senator Yayi Adeola supported the full report and congratulates the Senate on accurate findings and insisting on the truth.
Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Senator Shehu Sani on ways to address the issues of acute malnutrition and vaccination in the North East.
He also asked about how to restore humanitarian agencies’ confidence in the North East and Nigeria as a whole.
Senator Shehu Sani said different MDAs such as Federal Ministry of Health and NEMA involved in healthcare and food distribution should rise up to the task.
He stated “The humanitarian issue in the North East is crisis to some and an industry for exploitation for others”.
Senator Shehu Sani said there’s the need to dig deeper into the activities of different agencies involved with IDPs in the North East.
Senator Abu Kyari said hunger is still evident in the North East with agencies spending more money on operations and less on actual work.
Senate moved into the recommendations of the Committee which included the need for Health officials to move into IDPs Camps immediately.
Senate also condemned NEMANigeria and the National Commission for IDPs and Refugees for not appearing before the Ad-hoc Committee despite invitation.
