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

*#TodayInSenatePlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 9th NOVEMBER, 2017.*

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu took the official prayer and led the Senate into today’s proceedings at 10:58am.

Senator Abu Ibrahim moved for the approval of the votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 8th November. Senator Stella Oduah seconded.

*PETITION*
Senator Tayo Alasoadura put forward a petition from a member of his constituency against the Federal Ministry of Aviation on unlawful termination of appointment.

*POINT OF ORDER*
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso cited order 42 and talks about the serious crises of Malaria in the Local Government Areas in Kano State. Senator Mohammed Hassan seconded.

*MOTIONS*

1. Senator Joshua Lidani moved a motion concerning about 250 victims of snake bite whom have died in the last three weeks in Plateau and Gombe States, following an acute scarcity of snake anti-venom drugs in the country.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha added that citizens have suffered from attacks from wild reptiles and other animals, Nigeria has reached a level where a solution to the problem must be found either through scientific research or otherwise.

The Senate accordingly resolved to:

i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Health to as a matter of urgency procure sufficient quantity of anti-snake venom and supply them to the treatment centers at Kaltungo, Langtang and Bambur;

ii. Mandate the Senate Committee on Health to investigate the failure of Ministry of Health to supply anti-snake venom to the treatment centers and other Health centers; and

iii. Urge the Federal Ministry of Health to initiate step towards the establishment of local production of the anti-snake venom.

2. Senator Rose Oko moved a motion about the reported death of 26 Nigerian girls in the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara desert.

Senator Shehu Sani said there is a need for Inter-African synergy with the European Union on cases like this and more. He opined that these Nigerians have been deceived into believing that they are going in search of greener pasture but end up being sex workers.

Senator Sam Egwu said the Federal Government needs to come together and put resources to reduce and eliminate unemployment as this is a major cause of illegal immigration.

The Senate accordingly resolved to:

i. Condemn in the strongest terms the murder of 26 young Nigerian girls in the Mediterranean Sea on route Italy;

ii. Commends the Italian authorities for immediately stepping into the matter with the hope of resolving the murders;

iii. Mandate the committees on diaspora, foreign affairs and special duties to investigate the unfortunate incident and report back to the senate within 4 weeks;

iv. Observe a minute silence for the repose of the souls of the 26 young Nigerian girls murdered in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu thanked Senator Rose Oko for bringing the Motion and says the Government holds the responsibility to take care of its citizens. He urged the Federal Government to provide more for its citizens to encourage them to stay in the country.

The Senate requested the Committee on Diaspora to commence investigation into this unfortunate event and observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased girls.

*PRESENTATION OF A REPORT*

1. Conference Committee Report.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, 2017 (SB. 257) by Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki.

The report was laid by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

*CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*

1. Report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
Approval of Ogun State Development Policy Operation (DPO) loan of USD350 million by Senator Shehu Sani.
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the Ogun State Development Policy Operation (DPO) loan of USD350 million from the World Bank.

The Report was LAID.

2. Report of the Committee on FCT.
2017 FCT Appropriation Bill (SB. 550) by Sen. Dino Melaye.
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on FCT on the 2017 FCT Appropriation Bill (SB. 550).

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
The Senate dissolved into the committee of the whole to consider the report of the Committee on FCT.

The Senate now reverts back to Plenary.

The Report is LAID.

The Deputy Senate President commends his colleagues and appeals that this budget be implemented accordingly and proper transparency should also be employed in the implementation process.

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

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 14th November, 2017.

#GavelBangs.

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