For The Records: Read Today’s (Thursday) Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate

#TodayInSenatePlenary

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 2nd NOVEMBER, 2017.

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President, Bukola Saraki took the official Prayer and led the Chambers into today’s proceedings at 10:58am.

Senator Kabir Marafa moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 1st of November 2017, Senator Duro Faseyi seconded.

PETITION
Senator Biodun Olujimi raises a petition from a member of her constituency against the University of Ibadan on unlawful dismissal.

POINT OF ORDER
1. Senator Dino Melaye cited order 42 and alleged that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing squandered $385 million on projects not appropriated in the budget between 2013 and 2016. He said that $300 million of the fund was given to IBEX while another $35 million was paid to General Electric and some others.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the order cited by Senator Dino Melaye would come as a motion on another legislative day.

2. Senator Francis Alimekhena cited order 43 and said the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) failed to appear before the Ad-hoc committee to investigate the various allegations leveled against the Police, Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission yesterday. He also said that the committee received a letter on his behalf asking that the committee postpone proceedings of the investigation. Senator Francis Alimekhena added that the Inspector General of Police can’t stop the committee from performing their constitutional duties and have therefore given the Inspector General of Police an ultimatum to appear before the committee on Tuesday, 7th November, 2017 unfailingly.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki told Senator Francis Alimekhena to keep the senate updated on the matter as it proceeds and also says that he expects that the Inspector General of Police knows the law by virtue of his office and must adhere to it by appearing before the Committee.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters by Senator David Umaru.
-That the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on:
a. The Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 182); and
b. The Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Bill, 2017 (SB. 391).

Senator Atai Aidoko seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on:
a. The Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 182); and
b. The Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Bill, 2017 (SB. 391).

The Report is Laid.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to establish the National Tea and Coffee Development Council and for other connected Matters, 2017 (SB. 462) by Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha says, ‘This will go a long way to increase Nigeria’s Tea production to a global scale.’

A Bill for an Act to establish the National Tea and Coffee Development Council and for other connected Matters, 2017 (SB. 462) was read the second time.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to report back in 4 weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to provide for Legal, Fiscal and Regulatory Framework for sustainable energy development in Nigeria with the overall objective of providing clean, affordable, adequate and reliable energy and for other related matters, 2017 (SB. 431) by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.

A Bill for an Act to provide for Legal, Fiscal and Regulatory Framework for sustainable energy development in Nigeria with the overall objective of providing clean, affordable, adequate and reliable energy and for other related matters, 2017 (SB. 431) is read the second time.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Power, Steel and Metallurgy Development to Report back in 4 weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act CAP F6 LFN 2004 and for other Matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB. 115) by Senator David Umaru.

A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act CAP F6 LFN 2004 and for other Matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB. 115) is read the second time.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on FCT to Report back in 4 weeks.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Senate Committees
2017 Budget of Corporations and Agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Leader of the Senate.
– That the Senate do consider the report of Senate Committees on the 2017 Budget of Corporations and Agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

i. Committee on Science and Technology. Government Owned Enterprise (GOE): Raw materials research and development council.

Senator Yusuf Abubakar presented the report of the Committee on Science and Technology.
The Report of the Committee on Science and Technology is approved as amended.

ii. Committee on Sports and Youth Development.
Government Owned Enterprise (GOE): National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Senator Obinna Ogba presented the report of the Committee on Sports and Youth Development.
The Report of the Committee on Sports and Youth Development is approved as amended.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki read a letter from the President, Muhammadu Buhari as regards the laying of the 2018 budget proposal which would take place on Tuesday, 7th November, 2017.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 7th November, 2017.

#GavelBangs.

Signed
Digital Communications Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.