TodayInSenatePlenary

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:52am.
Senator Magnus Abe moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 7th February, 2018. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.

Point of Order
Senator Na’allah cited order 43 and spoke on the deterioration of the Kanu Nwankwo’s heart foundation and the need for the Senate committee on Banking to bring the foundation and the bank where the management of his foundation acquired loan from back.

Senator Na’allah also cited order 43 and spoke on the mishap happening in his constituency which has led to the death of 20 persons.

“Nwankwo Kanu served this nation very well. He was an active footballer. Nwankwo also played for one of the best clubs in the United Kingdom Premier League.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“There are many reasons why I am very sympathetic to this. It is key that for those people who serve this nation diligently, we must do what we can. Therefore, Chairman on Banking, look into the matter.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Dino Melaye cited order 14 and spoke on the publication made by Sahara Reporters, The Nation and The Sun for the misinformation by the Nigerian Police that a case has been instituted between FGN and Dino Melaye.

“I do not see how the issue of arraignment can be forward in a matter like this. Be that as it may, I want us all to continue to defend this our democracy and fight for what is right.I will assure you that this institution will continue to stand for what is right.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“As I have said many a times, there are those that believe that they are helping the government, but are doing things that are not in the interest of this democracy. In the interest of all of us, there is a need to do what is right. For sure, what is wrong is wrong, and I hope that those that are looking at this will have a review and do what is right.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Marafa cited order 43 and said that about 5000 women including under aged girls were raped and molested in his constituency.

Presentation of Bills – First Reading
National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 (HB. 472) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 (HB. 472) was read the First Time.

Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139) was read the First Time.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria Bill, 2018 (HB. 973) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria Bill, 2018 (HB. 973) was read the First Time.

Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 633) by Senator Ovie Omo Agege.

Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 633) was read the First Time.

Motions
1 Demise of Senator Professor Sunday Osarumwense Iyahen by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

“He was a great scholar and a great gentleman, I pray his soul rests in perfect peace.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“He was a great Nigerian, scholar and a law maker who did his best to contribute his own quota to the nation’s development. We are going to miss this great man.”- Senator Clifford Ordia.

Senate resolved to:
I. Observe a minute silence in his honor;

II. Send a high powered delegation of this hallowed chamber to pay a condolence visit to his wife, children, family members, the people and government of Edo state; and

III. To accord his burial all the official rites due such a national figure who served with diligence.

2 Urgent need to halt the importation of palm oil and it’s allied products to protect the palm oil/ kernel industry in Nigeria by Senator Francis Alimikhena.

“The oil palm sub-sector in agriculture play a very important role. NIFOR has been playing an important role in research of palm kernel. We as legislators should support this by helping to provide funds for NIFOR.”- Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“It is very sad that Malaysia came into Nigeria in the 60’s to get our Palm produce and 20 years after we as a Nation started importing from them, I will advice that we should ban the importation of palm oil to this country.”- Senator Adamu Aliero.

“We need to build our oil palm development funds to train farmers on how to efficiently produce palm oil in order to stop these oil importations from Malaysia .”- Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

“We have abandoned the oil palm sector, the foundation of agriculture has been broken since the discovery of crude oil in the 70’s. We need funds for the re-activation of palm produce in Nigeria.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
Senate resolved to:

I. Urge the Federal Government to urgently place a ban on the importation of palm oil/ kernel, inject needed funds through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to aid the production of this cash crop;

II. Urge the private sector to partner state governments to embark on revolutionary transformation of palm oil production and creation of allied industries through backward integration;

III. Mandate the committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to invite the Nigerian institute for oil palm research (NIFOR) on why it has failed to deliver on its mandate; and

IV. Urge the FG to also encourage the production of other agricultural products.
3 Scarcity of lower denomination currency notes by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

“I support this motion and I suggest the committee in charge should look into the cost implication of printing the naira by the Nigerian printing and minting company.”- Senator Ali Wakili.

Senate resolved to:
Mandate the committee on Banking, Finance and other Financial Institutions to investigate with a view to proffering lasting solution on the matter and report back within two (2) weeks.

“The level of production of higher denomination is the major issue, it is an african trend which is deteriorating the lower denomination.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

4 The need for the establishment of a National Assembly legislative museum and archives by Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki.

“This motion is very important for our nation. This is a serious issue, there is no documentation of the past parliament, even our civil war has no documentation.”- Senator Ben Murray Bruce.

“It is shameful that our monumental history is not preserved. However, it is unfortunate that what you paid for is not what you get. I think one of the problem of our politics today is the absence of our intellect.”- Senator Shehu Sani.

“I recall during the 7th Senate our visit to India, the documentation of India parliament even as old as it may be is in a special holding room.”-Senator Magnus Abe.

“Leadership of the @NGRSenate should genuinely act on passing this motion.”- Senator Barnabas Gemade.

“We must be able to learn from our previous best practices.”-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Senate resolved to:

I. Urge the Senate in collaboration with the House of Representatives to establish a joint committee of Culture and Tourism on National Assembly legislative museum and archives;

II. Direct the joint committee on Culture and Tourism on National Assembly legislative museum and archives to study the resolutions of the 7th Senate and House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the Ad-hoc committee on immortalization for implementation and continuity to enrich the achievements of the National Assembly for the sake of prosperity;

III. Direct the joint committee on Culture and Tourism to harmonize the position of the Senate, House of Representatives and the management of the National Assembly on the National Assembly legislative museum and archives in order to ensure efficient and effective take off as well as to generate revenue for the legislature; and

IV. Urge the President of the Senate to collaborate with the Speaker, House of Representatives by supporting the establishment of a joint committee of Culture and Tourism on National Assembly legislative museum and archives.

Adjournment
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 14th February, 2018.

#GavelBangs.

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Proceedings of The Nigerian Senate of Tuesday, 13th February, 2018