PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 31ST JANUARY, 2018

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 10.51am.

Senator Barnabas Gemade moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 30th January, 2018. Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki seconded.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on the Nigerian mineral and mininig Bill 2017 for the kind consideration and passage by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on the report on the review of the security infrastructure in Nigeria on the emergency visit to Benue state.

*PETITIONS*

Senator Na’allah raised a petition on behalf of the family of Late Justice Sambo seeking for certain actions to be taken by the Senate in the recovery of his body.

Senator Ovie Omo Agege raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member on wrongful dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petitions to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

*POINT OF ORDER*

Senator Dino Melaye cited order 43 and said that JAMB made IGR of N5b in 2016, N7b IGR in 2017 with remittance of N50million. Since they have shown they can remit 7b we must encourage WAEC and NECO that has a wider coverage to remit more money into the Federal account.

“The question is what has happened in the past and why the increase in revenue. What action has been taken for those people who were there before them. I think there is need for us to not just sweep it under the carpet.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki directed Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Barau Jibrin to look into the matter, what JAMB did previously and report back to the Senate.

Senator Joshua Lidani cited order 43, spoke of the Senate’s ultimatum to the IGP to arrest those involved in the Benue killings within 14days and states that since the IGP has not arrested anybody nor reported back to the Senate, the committee on Police should summon the IGP and report back to the Senate on Tuesday.

“We passed the ultimatum because there was great concern by some of us. Such resolutions from this chamber must be taken seriously. I think this goes beyond issuing ultimatum, the issues on security must be taken seriously. The Senate committee on Police and Intelligence should summon the IG to be able to make an explanation to us on where we are with the 2 weeks ultimatum and the two committees should report to us by tuesday the exact situation we are.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

”We must make it very clear to the security agencies that those kind of ultimatums cannot be taken lightly. People think we are just going to sweep this under the carpet, the answer is NO. We are not going to stop until people are made accountable. Even as the President said in his letter,he has told the IGP to ensure speedy prosecution and I hope that the IGP takes this seriously because definitely this is a matter that affects the whole country and something needs to be done. We will make sure that happens.”-Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Kabir Marafa cited order 43 and brought to the notice of the Senate a text from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the tanker drivers have blocked the entrance of the suleja deport as a result of bad roads and this will affect the even distribution of petroleum products until the Federal government attends to it.

Secondly, the issue of security in my state is getting worse day by day. There has been an increase in kidnappings in Zamfara state.

“I feel the danger of what is going on in Zamfara and we agree that the security of you and your family is serious issue. What we have been discussing here has largely to do with the security infrastructure of the state and its a concern for all of us. There is clearly a breakdown of law, order and security, we need to take these issues to the summit where governors and security agencies will be present. We must confront ourselves with these issues to be able o find a solution.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“What i can assure you is when we do have this summit we must take zamfara as a special case and extract from the Governor and security agencies, what is the way forward.”-Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I want to appeal with my colleagues, we should rally around these issues so that we can resolve them before it gets to this state. I think we should set up a committee to begin to look at some of these issues and see what we can do.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Aliyu sabi cited order 43 and said on the 23rd of January a report was brought to me that a group of bandit with arms are currently at Kainji National park. However, no one seems to know where they come from.

Senator Isah Misau cited orders 42 & 52 and spoke on what is happening in kano, the killing and fighting has risen in the state. For example, women being armed.

“This is an issue that needs to be handled by Kano state. It is dangerous to bring state affairs to the Senate. This is unhealthy for the Nation’s democracy and in regard to the killing and fighting it is not true.”- Senator Barau Jibrin.

“For the last 2years, there has not been any form of killing or fighting except for the bombing of boko haram issues then in Kano.”- Senator Kabiru Gaya.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS-First Reading*

Federal Polytechnic Maiduguri (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 607) by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai.

Federal Polytechnic Maiduguri (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 607) was read the First Time.

Federal College of Education Gwoza (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 608) by Senator Ali Ndume.

Federal College of Education Gwoza (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 608) was read the First Time.

National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 597) by Senator Dino Melaye.

National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 597) was read the First Time.

Federal College of Education Monguno (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 609) by Senator Abubakar Kyari.

Federal College of Education Monguno (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 609) was read the First Time.

*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS-Second Reading*

A Bill for an Act to establish the chartered institute of forensic and investigative auditors in Nigeria to provide for the registration and regulation of membership, 2018 (SB. 584) by Senator Ahmad Lawan and Senator Andy Uba.

“I support this bill and urge my Distinguished colleagues to do so.”- Senator Na’allah.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Establishment and Public Matters to report back in 4 weeks.

2. A Bill for an act to provide for residency rights for every citizen of Federal Republic of Nigeria who have lived or resided consecutively and paid taxes to the relevant local government of the area where such a person have lived or resided for a long period of not less than 5 years consecutively and for any child of such person who is less than 18 years of age and have lived with the person for the same period of time, 2018 (SB. 356) by Senator Dino Melaye.

“Our leaders should take necessary steps to ensure unity and justice of the country.”- Senator Shehu Sani.

“I thank senator Dino Melaye for this bill and also support the passing of the bill as this will promote the unity of the country strongly.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi.

“This a very important bill for National unity. This bill will bring peace and I hope that during the public hearing the committee will ensure greater participation towards peace. It will go a long way to bringing unity to the country.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

A Bill for an act to provide for residency rights for every citizen of Federal Republic of Nigeria who have lived or resided consecutively and paid taxes to the relevant local government of the area where such a person have lived or resided for a long period of not less than 5 years consecutively and for any child of such person who is less than 18 years of age and have lived with the person for the same period of time, 2018 (SB. 356) was read the Second Time.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back in 4 weeks.

A Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Manchok and for other matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB. 536) by Senator Danjuma Laah.

A Bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Manchok and for other matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB. 536) was read the Second Time.