The Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Rep. Dachung Bagos today Rep. Dachung Bagos laid a petition from some complainants on the floor of the Federal House of Representatives against the Federal School of Lab Science, Jos on the breach of the tenets of federal character on employment in the Institution.
He frowned how indigenes of Plateau State are denied slots which constitutionally through the Federal Character system accrues to them.
Rep. Bagos wondered why Plateau State slots were given to other States, a situation he said must be properly tackled.
He vowed to follow up the matter until the right thing is done.
Below are plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, February 13th 2020, The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presiding.
After leading the opening prayer, the Speaker went on to examine and approve the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, February 12th, 2020
DEFECTION OF REP. MEMBERS
- Rep. Kingsley Uju Chima’s (Imo) defection from Action Alliance (AA) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was announced by the Speaker
- Also, Rep. Paschal Obi’s (Imo) defection from Action Alliance (AA) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was announced.
The two lawmakers cited intraparty division as a reason for their actions.
The Minority Leader, Rep. Godwin Elumelu raised a point of order on the defections being illegal as there was no division in the Action Alliance party to his knowledge.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila ruled him out of order as the letters of defection stated that there were intraparty crisis in the Action Alliance (AA)
PETITIONS
- Rep. Eta Edim laid 2 petitions on behalf of some complainants, the first is from a community contesting the unlawful attempt to confiscate houses on a land duly allocated to them and the second is from some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on their unlawful dismissal, they craved the intervention of the House to resolve the issues.
- Rep. Mayowa Samuel laid a petition from some complainants against Standard Alliance Insurance Plc who is attempting to frustrate their financial claims and entitlements.
- Rep. Dachung Bagos laid a petition from some complainants against the Federal School of Lab Science, Jos on the breach of the tenets of federal character.
- Rep. Nnam Obi Uchechuku laid a petition from the oil and gas landlords over gross breach of agreements between their association and the oil companies in their communities. They called on the House to ensure that the regulatory agency meant to oversee compliance on the implementation of the agreements does its job efficiently.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
- Rep. Yakub Bello moved a motion on the need to checkmate the emergence of fake professors in Nigerian universities (both private and public universities) and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Ari Abdulmumin.
Rep. Bello called on the national university commission to withdraw the certification of universities condoning those individuals and ensure more vigilance in recruitments of lectures into the universities.
The motion was voted on and adopted. - Rep. Nnaji John moved a motion on the need to declare a state of emergency on the power sector and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Yalleman.
Rep. Nnaji expressed dismay that despite the enormous amount of investments and time taken to improve power supply to Nigerian homes and industries, no meaningful development can be pointed to, this he stated is highly unacceptable as the resultant difficulties is crippling to Nigerian businesses. Rep. Nnaji stated that this steady decline in power generation, transmission and distribution has led to the migration of many businesses out of Nigeria, especially since there are no clean and cheap alternatives to the existing power generating means from the government. He expressed worry that if nothing is done urgently, the socioeconomic consequences could be more dire, especially as the lack of engagement leads to joblessness, poverty and liability of the youth to be engaged in vices such as insurgency. Rep. Nnaji urged the President of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency on the power sector. He also called on the House Committee on Power to call for a public hearing on the ways to proffer solutions to the problem and to effectively carry out their oversight functions. He also stated that the Committees on Power and Legislative Compliance should ensure the prayers of the motion are adhered to.
Rep. Nicholas Ossai decried how the privatization procedure in the power sector went wrong. He stated that the distribution companies have failed to put the right measures in place to distribute the generated power to Nigerian homes and companies.
Rep. Olumide Osoba also called for a review of the privatization process to ascertain why the distribution companies are not investing into the sector as expected, for it to function optimally.
Rep. Chi Obidigwe blamed the moribund state of Nigerian industries that have led to mass unemployment due to inadequate and irregular power supply. He called on the Federal government to do everything possible to fix the power sector as the spiral effect while the advantage of an effective power sector is unquantifiable.
Rep. Olajide Olatunbosun stated that the steady depression in the power sector is worrisome and the full value chain of the generation, transmission and distribution channel should be looked into so that the problems can be effectively fixed. He called on the federal government to ensure funds invested in the sector are effectively utilized.
Rep. Sada Soli Jibia decried why the privatization of the power sector seems to have been done just to favour some people, he stated that this could be responsible for the fact that there seems to be no urgency in solving the resulting quagmire. While calling for the restoration of the transmission and distribution parts of the value chain, Jibia noted that the political will to take the needed actions on the power sector is most important. He urged Nigerians to be disciplined by not compromising the system so that Nigerian can enjoy the full benefits of regular power supply.
Rep. Ndudi Elumelu stated that the idea of the government that handled the privatization of the power sector was noble, but the implementation was disappointing. He also lamented the fact that States such as Lagos were not encouraged when they attempted to establish their own independent power systems. According to him, if the initiative of the States had been properly coordinated by the Federal government, it would have aided power generation in the country.
Rep. Elumelu called for the prosecution of everyone who benefited illegally from the privatization process at the expense of the Nigerian people.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
- Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.642) (Senate) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Finance and Control of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.680) (Rep. Gagdi Adamu Yusuf) – First Reading.
- Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB.681) (Rep. Babajimi Benson) – First Reading.
- National Icons, Symbols Legacy Agency Bill, 2020 (HB.682) (Rep. Babajimi Benson) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB.683) (Rep. Micah Yohanna Jiba) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Police Academy (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.684) (Rep. Gagdi Adamu Yusuf) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Police Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2020 (HB.685) (Rep. Gagdi Adamu Yusuf) – First Reading.
- Federal University of Education, Pankshin (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.686) (Rep. Gagdi Adamu Yusuf) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Forestry Management and Tourism, Idanre (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.687) (Rep. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye) – First Reading.
- Export (Prohibition) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2020 (HB.688) (Rep. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum) – First Reading.
- Subsidiary Legislation (Monitoring and Control) Bill, 2020 (HB.689) (Rep. Frederick Y. Agbedi) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Cost Managers of Nigeria Bill, 2020 (HB.690) (Rep. Frederick Yietiemone Agbedi) – First Reading
- Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB.691) (Rep. Frederick Yietiemone Agbedi) – First Reading.
- Federal University of Agriculture, Patigi, Kwara State (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.692) (Rep. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene) – First Reading.
- Nigeria Sugar Technology Institute Bill, 2020 (HB.693) (Rep. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Agriculture (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.694) (Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi) – First Reading.
- Electoral Offences Tribunal (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.695) (Rep. Francis Charles Uduyok) – First Reading.
- Federal University of Science and Technology, Kosubosu, Kwara State (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.696) (Rep. Mohammed Omar Bio) – First Reading.
- Federal Medical Centre, Toro, (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.697) (Rep. Muda Lawal Umar) – First Reading.
- Federal Polytechnic, Orozo (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.698) (Rep. Micah Yohanna Jiba) – First Reading.
- National Agency for the Control of Cancer (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.699) (Rep. Kolawole Lawal) – First Reading.
- National Volunteer Services Agency Bill, 2020 (HB.700) (Hon. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- Social Security Bill, 2020 (HB.701) (Rep. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB.702) (Rep. Sylvester Ogbaga) – First Reading.
- Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB.703) (Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa) – First Reading.
- Insurgency or Military Victim Stigmatization (Prohibition) Bill, 2020 (HB.704) (Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa) – First Reading.
- Rural Areas Development Agency (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.705) (Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa) – First Reading.
- State of the Nation Address Bill, 2020 (HB.706) (Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa) – First Reading.
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Urban Development and Planning Commission (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2020 (HB.707) (Rep. Jimoh Abdulraheem Olajide and Rep. Aliyu Ibrahim Almustapha) – First Reading.
- National Agency for Sickle Cell Disease and other Heritable Blood Disorder (Prevention and Treatment) Bill, 2020 (HB.708) (Rep. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- National Directorate of Employment Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB.709) (Rep. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- North West Development Commission Bill, 2020 (HB.710) (Rep. Aminu Suleiman and 78 Others – First Reading.
- Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB.711) (Rep. Aminu Suleiman) – First Reading.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
- A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. P17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Bill to Regulate the Training and Practice of Pharmacy; and for Related Matters (HB. 334) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
- A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University, Gashua and to make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration; and for Related Matters (HB.) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Peter Akpatason moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
- A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Trade and Investment to Provide for Investment, Indemnity Assurance Scheme, Trade and Investment Tribunal, Trade and Investment Registry Data Bank; and for Related Matters (HB. 154) (Rep. Ossai N. Ossai) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Ossai moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Anayo Nwonu.
In leading the debate Rep. Ossai stated that the Bill is anchored on boosting the private sector, enterprise and indigenous investment in Nigeria. He stated that the proposed Institute will ensure professionalism and provide for jobs for a vibrant trade and investment sector. Rep. Ossai stated that such a system has been in operation in the United States of America (USA) which has resulted in the promotion of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), this should be implemented for the good of the Nigerian economy, he added.
The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
- A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Oghara; and for Related Matters (HB. 573) (Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Igbakpa moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Bitrus Laori.
Rep. Igbakpa in leading the debate stated that the establishment of the Centre would avail those in the region the opportunity to access the needed medical services at minimal costs, this he stated would boost the life expectancy and healthy socioeconomic activities of those in the region. The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
- A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Abi to Provide Full-Time Courses in Technology, Applied Sciences, Management and other Fields of Study and to make Provisions for the General Management of the Polytechnic; and for Related Matters (HB. 349) (Rep. Alex Egbona) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Egbona moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Al-Mustapha Aliyu. Rep. Egbona stated that the Bill seeks to ensure uniformity as there is no federal institution in the region to cater to the educational needs of its inhabitants.
The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education.
MOTIONS
- Reconsideration of Outstanding Bills from the Preceding Assembly:
Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata:
(i) National Inland Waterways Authority Bill, 2019 (HB.173);
(ii) Nigerian Film Corporation Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 324);
(iii) Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 327;
(iv) Dietitians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 515); and
(v) Nigerian Television Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 517)
The House:
Notes that pursuant to Order Twelve (12), Rule 16 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, Bills passed by the preceding Assembly and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence for which no concurrence was made or negatived or passed by the Senate and forwarded to the House for which no concurrence was made or negatived or which were passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to the President for assent but for which assent or withholding thereof was not communicated before the end of the tenure of the Assembly, the House may resolve that such Bills, upon being re-gazetted or clean copies circulated, be re-considered in the Committee of the Whole without being commenced de-novo;
Also notes that the aforementioned Bills were passed by the preceding Assembly and forwarded to the President for assent but for which assent or withholding thereof was not communicated before the end of the tenure of the last Assembly;
Aware that the Bills were re-gazetted as HBs. 173, 324, 327, 515 and 517 and respectively read the first time;
Resolves to:
Commit the Bills to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Debate
Rep. Fulata moved the motion on the reconsideration of outstanding Bills from the preceding Assembly and it was seconded by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The motion was voted on, adopted and committed to the Committee of the Whole.
- Need to Utilize Zobe Dam in Dustin-ma Local Government Area of Kastina State:
Rep. Arm’yau Abdulkadir:
The House:
Notes that one of the focal points of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is to diversify the economy to agriculture which will improve Nigeria’s internally generated revenues, achieve food security, thereby motivating millions of Nigerians to go back to the farms;
Also notes that the anti-corruption drive of the Administration has put to a halt the exogenous leakages in the agricultural sector to encourage, empower and enhance locally made farm produce, thereby increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) index and foreign exchange reserve to over $45 Billion in cash and bonds;
Aware that some of the successful programs introduced by the Administration are the Anchor Borrowers Program, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, the Youth Farm Lab and the Presidential Economic Diversification and Food Security Council;
Informed that Zobe Dam was constructed in 1972 under the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority with the purpose of achieving comprehensive and integrated rural development, such as the provision of irrigation facilities, flood control, domestic/industrial water supply and hydroelectricity;
Also informed that since the commissioning of the Dam in 1983, it has not been put to use for irrigation, water supply or power generation and even though it has the capacity of irrigating over 20,000 hectares of land, supplying 80 million litres of water daily and generating hydro-power that can supply the whole of Katsina State with electricity;
Aware that the dam also has the capacity of supplying water for the production of wheat, rice and vegetables that can meet domestic requirements of over 30% of Nigerians, but it has been abandoned, a development that can lead to its overflow which will cause serious flood to communities around the dam as had happened in the past;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to award a contract for the establishment of ultramodern irrigation canals of the Dam and ensure full functionality and utilization of the Zobe Dam;
(ii) mandate the Committee on Water Resources to ensure implementation.
Debate
Rep. Abdulkadir moved the motion on the need to utilize Zobe dam in Dustin-ma Local Government area of Kastina State and it was seconded by Rep. Ali Taofeek.
As an infrastructure-related motion, it was voted on, adopted and referred to the relevant committees of the House.
- Rehabilitation of Damaged Infrastructure in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State:
Rep. Chinedu Emeke Martins:
The House:
Notes that residents of Egberemiri, Eziudo and Oboama Communities in Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Imo State are being devastated by gully erosion which is rapidly eating away their lands and means of livelihood;
Also notes that indigenes of the communities whose main occupation is farming are on the verge of losing their farmlands, properties and roads with each passing rainy season;
Worried that the gully erosion has adversely affected the movement of persons, as well as commercial activities within the communities;
Concerned that if urgent actions are not taken to address the menace caused by the erosion, residents of the communities will be displaced and their properties destroyed;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office to embark on erosion and flood control works in the affected areas and other prone areas in Ezinihitte Local Government Area;
(ii) Mandate the Committees on Environment and Ecological Fund to ensure compliance.
Debate
Rep. Martins moved the motion on the need to rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure in Ezinihitte Mbaise local government area, Imo State and it was seconded by Rep. Abdullahi Ibrahim.
As an infrastructure-related motion, it was voted on, adopted and referred to the relevant committees of the House.
- Need to Investigate the Utilization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund:
Rep. Shina Abiola Peller:
The House:
Notes that the Section 11 of the National Health Act which was enacted in 2014 provides that not less than 1% of Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government be set aside as a grant to finance the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPE or the Fund) which commits the Federal Government to dedicating national resources to improving the lives of all citizens, especially, women and children, to access a high impact and highly cost-effective package of health services, thereby achieving health for all by strengthening institutions and increasing financing for essential health care services;
Also notes that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund will fund operational budgets for public primary health care facilities (1per ward), purchase an explicit set of high impact services for all Nigerians address underperformance at the primary care level by removing the barriers to health care;
Aware that the Program will enable Nigerians access services and will be delivered in 22 States, including the FCT in the first instance and will serve as a catalyst to facilitate complete overhaul of the Primary Health Care system in Nigeria;
Recalls that the operational manual of the Fund states that all program funds must be kept in a dedicated account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), consequently, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and relevant State agencies have all opened accounts with the CBN;
Also aware that 50% of the total amount appropriated has so far been released from the 2018 budget for the program, similarly, the Global Financing Facility and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have contributed $20m and $2m grant respectively to the program with other donor agencies also showing interests;
Cognizant that over 30 States have formally expressed interests and facility assessments have been carried out, with the release of approximately 50% of the fund;
Worried that in spite of the laudable program and intent of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, the Primary Health Care system of the country is in shambles, infant mortality is on the increase, rate of death at childbirth is still very high in most rural communities and hardly would one find a functional Primary Health care facility in most Local Governments Areas much less the wards;
Further aware that the Global Facility Financing (GFF) has committed $20m while the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will commit up to $75m over the next 5 years and the Department for International Development (DFID) also committed 60m Pound Sterling to support the Program whose goal is to have one functional Primary Health Care (PHC) per political ward in Nigeria;
Resolves to:
Mandate the Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the utilization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative actions.
Debate
Rep. Peller moved the motion on the need to investigate the utilization of the basic healthcare provision fund and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed Awal.
As an investigative motion, it was voted on, adopted and referred to the relevant committees of the House.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presiding:
- A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Education (Special) Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State to Provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching Instruction and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and for Related Matters (HB. 169) (Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu) (Committee of the Whole: 9/10/2019).
Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Magaji stated that the Bill is critical to the wellbeing of people with special needs, a similar institute he stated, is in existence in Oyo State and there is the need to establish the same in Jigawa state to cater for individuals who desire the services in the area.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-22
HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted its rulings and report in the Committee of the Whole
Adjournment:
The House at 14:27 adjourned plenary till Tuesday, 18th, February 2020 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by the Chief Whip Rep. Mohammed Tahir Monguno
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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