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 10:53am.
Senator Abu Ibrahim moved for the approval of the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 14th November 2017, Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.
*ANNOUNCEMENTS*
The senate president, Bukola Saraki read a letter of appreciation from Senator Danjuma Goje, thanking his colleagues for their support throughout the burial ceremony of his late wife.
The senate president welcomed guests present in the gallery to observe plenary.
*PETITIONS*
Senator Solomon Adeola presented a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency as regards wrongful termination of appointment from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege rose to lay a petition from a member of his constituency against the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) on it’s gross abuse of powers in the matter of the Nigerian Football Fans village project during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Petitions were referred to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
*POINT OF ORDER*
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, stood under Order 43 and commends the Nigerian National football team on their victory against Argentina and states that we must continue to encourage the national football team ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki congratulated the team and management for their effort in ensuring the team got to this point and urged more support for the team in their future engagement.
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha raised a point of order on the Inspector General of Police withdrawal of the Anambra State Governor’s security aides. The Inspector General of Police said there must be a level playing ground for all the aspirants but Senator Bwacha wondered why the governor under immunity will lose his security aides.
Senator Biodun Olujimi came under Order 43 and stated that this issue is important to Nigeria, Nigerians and our democracy.
She said, ”It is wrong for the IG of @PoliceNG to withdrawal the security aides of a sitting Governor.”
She asked, “Come 2019, will all the political office holders lose their Security Aides on the instruction from the Presidency?”
In the prayer given, the Senate unanimously resolved that the Inspector General of Police should restore the security aides of the Governor as he needs to do the right thing to protect the democracy of the nation.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in his additional prayer stated that the committee on Police Affairs should ensure that the Governor’s security aides are restored by tomorrow and report back to the Senate tomorrow.
*MOTIONS*
1. Fire Disater in Central Market Nguru Yobe State: A call for urgent intervention by the Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan.
*The senate accordingly resolves to:*
i. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide the necessary interventions to the affected traders.
ii. Urge National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide necessary intervention to other markets so affected by fire outbreak across the country.
iii. All markets should take up an insurance policy in view of the frequency of fire outbreaks.
2. The Alarming Upsurge of Malaria Incidence by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Senator Barnabas Gemade said malaria is a killer among pregnant women and children, and urged the government to adopt preventive health care systems, rather than waiting for people to be infected before being treated.
He stated further that mosquitoes are not exterminated and pharmaceutical companies produce drugs and sell and the vicious cycle continues.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa says this motion is to sensitize Nigerians on living in a hygienic environment. He says once we can get rid of mosquitoes, malaria will become a thing of the past.
He also urged the government to bring back sanitation inspectors and adequate funding of the health sector as the health budget should take nothing less than 15% of the national budget.
*The Senate accordingly resolves to:*
i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Health as a matter of urgency to procure sufficient quantity of effective antimalarial drugs and supply them free of charge to all public health facilities across the country;
ii. Urge the Federal, States and Local Government Areas to embark on mass mobilization that will provide adequate information to all Nigerians on how to take appropriate and effective malaria preventive and treatment measures;
iii. Urge the Federal Ministry of Health to effectively partner with States and Local Governments Authorities and Development Partners with a view to scaling up Integrated Vector Management and Control as well as streamline all malaria programs across the country;
iv. Urge the Federal Government to increase the annual funding of Federal Ministry of Health that will meet the “ABUJA DECLARATION” by AU IN 2001” as well as ensure full implementation of the National Health Act 2014 and the 1 percent consolidated revenue fund provision for the take up of the Basic Health Care provision.
v. Urge the committee on appropriation to ensure the National Health Act 2014 is captured and effected in the 2018 appropriation to reflect the 1 percent consolidated revenue fund provision.
*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING*
1. A Bill for an Act to establish the National Students Financial Aid Scheme to provide for the granting of loans to eligible students at higher institutions and repeal the provisions of the Nigerian education bank Act CAP E104 LFN 2004 and for other matters connected therewith, 2017 by Senator Isah Misau.
Senator Sam Egwu supported the bill and added that he is a recepient of the ‘Anambra state scholarship scheme’ which enabled him attend the higher institution that he couldn’t afford to at the time. He added that the bill will go a long way in assisting students who are in dire need of financial assistance.
The Bill is read the *SECOND TIME* and *PASSED*.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki thanked the sponsor of the bill and stated that we must work hard to strengthen the education sector of the economy. He added that society must continue to make a way to ensure that going to higher institution is easier for the people.
2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Library Act CAP N56 LFN 2004 and for other matters connected there with, 2017 (SB. 46) by Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Senator Dino Melaye said our National libraries have become a house for rodents and termites. He said, “Anyone going to our national library is going to read newspapers and magazines.”
He further stated that it is a misnomer and a misfit for a Director to be a librarian. He urged that the National library should be moved from under the Ministry of information to the Ministry of Education.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa commended the sponsor of the Bill and says the Bill should be given legal and legislative backing to enable us compete with modern library systems globally.
The Bill for an Act to amend the National Library Act is read the *SECOND TIME* and *PASSED*.
This Bill for an Act to Amend the National Library Act is referred to the Committee on Education.
3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Finance (Control and Management) Act, No. 33 1958 and enact the Finance (Control and Management) 2017 and for other matters connected therewith, 2017 (SB. 84) by Senator Joshua Dariye.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir in his support of the Bill harped on the need to eliminate corruption, fraud and provide financial operations and monitor how things are done.
The Bill is read the *SECOND TIME* and *PASSED*.
The Bill is referred to the Committee on Finance.
*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 Thursday , 16th November, 2017.
#GavelBangs.
