SENATE PLENARY ON TUESDAY,MAY 22,2018
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 11:10am.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senate moved into an executive session at 11:13am and resumed from its executive session at 11:26am.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki reported that at the executive session the Senate deliberated on the workings of the Nigerian Senate and the National Assembly in general.
Senator Magnus Abe moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 17th May, 2018. Senator Bassey Akpan seconded.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced Senators: Sonni Ogbuoji, Barau Jibrin, Rafiu Ibrahim, Matthew Urhoghide, Solomon Adeola as members of the Conference 2018 Appropriation Bill and Senator Danjuma Goje as the Chairman and requests they meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced that there would be an APC caucus meeting today at room 301, Senate building. The caucus is to receive former Governor Adams Oshomole.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced that Service Chiefs would be giving a security briefing tomorrow at 11 am.
PETITION
Senator Gershom Bassey raised 2 petitions from members of his constituency;
- Against the Nigerian police force for unlawful termination of appointment; and
- Against the University of Calabar on a construction project.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Petitions to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the review of current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria on the Summit on National Security held on 8th & 12th February, 2018 by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the review of current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria on the Summit on National Security held on 8th & 12th February, 2018.
The Report was LAID.
Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the review of current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria on the Visit to Zamfara State from 6th – 8th March, 2018 by Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Senator Emmanuel Paulker seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the review of current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria on the Visit to Zamfara State from 6th – 8th March, 2018.
The Report was LAID.
Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 489) by Senator David Umaru.
Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 489).
The Report was LAID.
Report of the Committee on the Establishment and Public Service on the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 636) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
Senator Monsurat Sunmonu seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on the Establishment and Public Service on the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 636).
The Report was LAID.
Report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 512) by Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
Senator Yusuf Yusuf seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 512).
The Report was LAID.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
Report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 241) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Philip Aduda seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 241).
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 241).
Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.
Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 241) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.
RELATED POSTS
Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu.
Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai seconded that the Senate do consider the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above petitions.
That the Senate do consider the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of:
- Petition from Mr. Donald E. Ovie against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for alleged wrongful disengagement from he corporation;
Resolution:
- Since Lawrence Opiti Ogbeni’s punishment has been reduced from dismissal to retirement the same rule should apply to Donald Ovie and U. M Umar and accordingly to retire by NNPC and paid their benefits; and
- That the Senate Committee on Petroleum downstream should be mandated to ensure compliance
- Petition from PC Ohakada Ifeanyichukwu against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for alleged dismissal from the force;
Resolution:
PC Ohakada Ifeanyichukwu’s reinstatement should be sustained by the Nigerian police Force.
- Petition from Inspector Festus O. Mrakpor against the Police Service Commission for wrongfull dismissal from service over alleged misconduct;
Resolution:
- Police service commission having cut short the career progression of Insp. Festus Mrakpor in Service, should withdraw the letter retiring the said inspector and issue him a fresh letter returning him to the highest rank possible; and
- Pay Inspector Festus Mrakpor all the entitlements in accordance with the new rank which he would now be returned.
- Petition from Mr. Lawrence Opiti Ogbeni against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for alleged wrongful dismissal from the corporation;
Resolution:
- The retirement letter be released to Mr. Lawrence Opiti Ogbeni and all retirement benefits be paid to him immediately; and
- The Senate Committee on Petroleum downstream should ensure compliance.
- Petition from Julex Associates against the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for oppression, harassment and avoidable inferno at the Arts and Crafts Village, Abuja;
Resolution:
The petition from Julex Associates be ruled out since the matter is in Court.
- Petition from Livingstone Nseyo against the Nigerian Railway Corporation for alleged non implementation of ministerial approval on promotions;
Resolution:
- Livingstone Nseyo is advised to wait and earn his promotion, as promotions are not based on time; and
- Livingstone Nseyo should be warned to desist from constantly running to influential people to help with matters already provided for in Public Service rules.
- Complaint from Senator Mallam A. Wakili against Mr. Fred Itua of the Sun Newspaper for allegedly misleading the public against the Senate in the Sunday Sun Newspaper publication of 22nd October, 2017;
Resolution:
The petition is overlooked since Mr. Fred Itua has withdrawn his statement and apologized to the entire Senate.
“The Senate formally accepts Mr. Fred Itua’s apology and we do hope that some of these newspapers would become responsible in ensuring that they have accurate information and do not go out abusing the integrity of the Chamber on facts that are baseless.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
- Petition from I. J. Obiachu Esq. on behalf of the people of Eruete Village of Amaoforo Autonomous Community Ibeku, Umuahia North Local government area, Abia State against Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged non compensation for land acquired;
Resolution:
- Federal Ministry of Agriculture in consultation with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria should pay a compensation to the people of Eruete village of Amaoforo Autonomous community Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State who have been declared the rightful owner of the land; and
- Senate Committee on Agriculture should be mandated to ensure compliance.
- Petition from Comrade Martins Omokri against ELANO Investments Nigeria limited and Indorama Eleme petrochemical company limited for criminal breach of trust, diversion of community funds and insensitivity;
Resolution:
- Each of the 7 host communities be mandated to set up their own board of trustees;
- From the time that the board of trustees be set up in each community, ELANO Investment Nigeria limited should pay each community their entitlements through each board of trustee;
III. Each board of trustee should have a tenure not exceeding 3 years and that a member who performs well may be allowed a second tenure and no more;
- All communities with pending litigations should withdraw them from Court, set up their own board of trustees which shall access a true dividend on behalf of the communities and distribute or manage same as the community decides; and
- That the Rivers State government be communicated on the resolutions of the Senate on the matter to enable the State take custody of these monitoring and management process.
- Petition from law students association of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) against the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for non inclusion of NOUN law graduates in the Nigerian law school programme;
Resolution:
Committee on Judiciary, Tertiary Education and Ethics should meet with the stakeholders and council of legal, and body of benchers and come up with recommendations.
- Petition from Amadi O. Stephen against the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) for alleged unlawful dismissal from the service; and
Resolution:
- That CSP Amadi Stephen should be re-instated by Civil Defense, Immigration and Prison Services Board because his dismissal did not follow due process; and
- That his promotion which came after his dismissal be sustained.
- Petition from Dr. Micheal S. Okpaleke against the management and governing board of radiographers registration board of Nigeria for alleged unlawful verbal termination of his appointment by the board.
“Thank you Senator Sam Anyanwu and members of your Committee for your continuous hardwork.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
ADJOURNMENT
Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 23rd May, 2018
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