Senate Proceedings for Thursday 17th March, 2016. Its a new legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday 16th March 2016 approved.
The Senate Leader moves for the presentation of 5 Bills for their first readings.
1. Labour Institution Bill, 2016 (SB. 162) by Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North)
2. National Farm Settlement and Youth Empowerment Bill, 2016 (SB. 165) by Senator Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South).
3. 3. Consumer Protection Council Act CAP C25 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (SB. 169) by Sen. Clifford Ordia (Edo Central)
4. 4. Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2016 (SB. 200) by Senator Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North)
5. Chartered Institute of Management Account Bill, 2016 (SB. 236) by Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East)
Senate Leader Ali Ndume now moves for the consideration of Bills for second reading.
The Senate now moves to the Consideration of Reports.
Senator David Umaru reads the #JudiciaryCttee report on High Court of Federal Capital Territory Act No. 15 2003 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (SB. 176)
Senator Adamu Aliero speaks on the report of the FCT High Court (Amendment) Bill saying justice delayed is justice denied in supporting the Bill. Senate President @bukolasaraki recommends that the Senate moves to Committee of Whole to consider the report.
SP @bukolasaraki now puts the clauses to the Senate, one after the other, for consideration. The first clause in the (Amendment) Bill for the FCT Hight Court hereby passed. After brief debate, the Senate passed the 2nd clause that “the principle of the federal character shall be applied in the appointment of the Judges”. All others clauses on the High Court of the FCT (Amendment) Bill are hereby passed. The Senate returns to plenary after the motion was moved amendment of the FCT High Court Bill to increase the number of judges to 75. The FCT High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2016 now passes the third reading and thereby becomes law.
Senate now moves to concur with the House of Representatives resolutions on the report of the delegation to Kogi State on the illegal removal of its Speaker. Senator @dino_melaye raises a point of order that the Kogi State matter is before the courts stating that it shouldn’t be discussed at the Senate. Senate President @bukolasaraki that the report isn’t a petition. He explains it’s a simple concurrence with the House of Representatives; stating that the Kogi report by the House C’ttee isn’t a petition and rules Senator @dino_melaye out of order. The Senate now moves ahead to consider the recommendations in the House report on Kogi State Assembly. All recommendations in the Kogi Assembly report are hereby passed and the National Assembly that charge of the responsibilities of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
Senate President @bukolasaraki remarks that there’s need for the Senate to return peace to the Kogi House Assembly and bring back its members. He notes that the take over of the Kogi State House of Assembly by NASS isn’t indefinite. He assures that the House will resume soonest. Senate President Saraki concludes by emphasizing the sacrosanctity of respecting the Constitution at all times. #KogiAssembly
The Senate now proceeds to consider Bills
Sen. Tijani Kaura now takes the lead debate of the Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No. 6 2010 to allow the constitutional use of Card Readers. After the leading debate, Senators now take turns to speak on the Bill to amend the Electoral Act. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu speaks on the Electoral Act amendment stating that the amendment will fill a wide lacuna in the Act. Also speaking, Senator Bala Na’ Allah opines that it’s not possible to foresee all possibilities from the Electoral Act and concludes by saying: the Bill is a good proposal to validate use of Card Readers in the country. Senator Jibrin Barau also speaks extensively in support of the amendment of the electoral Act to validate the use of Card Readers.
Speaking against the Bill to amend the Electoral Act, Sen. Foster Ogola asserts that “America doesn’t have card reader in its electoral Act”. Senator BasSEY Akpan as well raises concern on the need for certainty of perfect functionality of the Card Readers by the INEC before law making. Senator Akpan notes that even a former president stood for hours before getting accredited due to malfunctioning of the Card Readers. He says “I am not against Card Readers but we should get the assurance of INEC before amendment of law”.
Senator Obinna Ogba also speaks on the amendment of the Electoral Act asserting that “Card Reader was introduced to work against Southerners.” Senator Dino Melaye raises a point of order and speaks that anyone against Card Reader is a product of rigging while maintaining that the Card Reader is a technological development that will enhance electoral values. Senate President @bukolasaraki speaks on the amendment of the Electoral Act to clarify the difference btw legislation and implementation.
The Electoral Act Amendment Bill passes the second reading and is referred to the #INECCttee for further legislative input.
The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly now moves to the next Bill – A Bill to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission by giving it more powers, and providing for the substitution of candidates after the conduct of primary elections in the event of death; and for other related matters 2016 SB. by Senator Ubali Shittu. Speaking on the Bill, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa argues that the amendment of the Electoral Act is necessary but should be done holistically. Senators support the Bill and it passes second reading and also referred to the #INECCttee for further legislative input.
The Senate Leader now moves that the Senate some items on the order paper. The Minority leader seconds.
Senate now deliberately on the motion on the rising cases of insecutity and Sea piracy along the nation’s water ways. Senator Nelson Effiong of Akwa Ibom South now rises for the lead debate. Senator Ben Murray Bruce seconds the motion and speaks on the plight of the people of the riverine areas. Senate President Bukola Saraki now goes to the prayers of the motion to urge the Army, Navy, Police, NIMASA, State Governments and all other relevant agencies to tighten the security around the water ways.
Senate President Bukola Saraki subsequently makes announcements and plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 22nd March, 2016.
#GavelBangs
