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Below is the full proceedings of the Nigerian Senate for today, Wednesday 7th September, 2018.

In the senate’s plenary today, presided by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Red Chamber deliberated on several issues confronting the nation including petitions.

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“PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 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 11:02am.

Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 6th November 2018. Senator Duro Faseyi seconded.

PETITION

Senator Andy Uba raised a petition on behalf of a constituency member against the Federal Mortgage Bank.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to report back in two weeks.

POINT OF ORDER

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe cited Orders 42 & 52 and brought the attention of the Senate to the investigations of the Nigerian Police which ruled the alleged attempted assassination of DSP, Ike Ekweremadu, as a mere burglary.

“I would like this Senate to not just dismiss this matter, but to ask for a thorough investigation into this case. The police has continuously dismissed matters like this. This should not be taken lightly.” – Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“I want to thank you all for your concern in this matter. No thorough investigations were made by the police. I was shocked to hear that they had said it was a mere burglary case. My son, who was hospitalized, was not even interviewed by the police.”-DSP, Ike Ekweremadu.

“The police looked at the CCTV footage but could not figure it out. Fortunately, a technician came and was able to figure out the footage. Unless they withdraw their report, I will release the video to Nigerians to judge for themselves.”-DSP, Ike Ekweremadu.

“All we are asking is that due process be followed and a proper investigation be conducted.”-Mao Ohuabunwa

“The Nigerian Police conducted a very myopic and porous investigation to a case as serious as this. This is unacceptable and it is not normal. We are here to speak for the people, every Nigerian should feel safe and secure in their environment.”- Senator Dino Melaye.

“Let’s be conscious of the importance of the right to life & take this very seriously, not just because it happened to one of us here, but because the life of every Nigerian is at stake. For this to be dismissed as a mere burglary shows that there is a cover-up somewhere.” – Senator Shehu Sani.

“The Police Reform Bill which we have put forward, should have gone for public hearing and should been passed by now. it touches on issues that will address the professionalism that should be enforced in the Nigerian Police Force.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

”What we are seeing here is lack of leadership in providing a non-partisan professional approach for some of these issues. Therefore, we must pass the Second Reading of the Police Reform Bill and fast-track it so that we can pass that bill that will effectively address that issue. Let us ensure that we pass this Police Reform Bill within the next two weeks so that we do can a public hearing on it.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Urge security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attempted assassination of the Deputy Senate President. Fast-track and ensure the quick passage of the Police Reform Bill.

Senator Biodun Olujimi cited Orders 42 & 52 and brought an urgent matter of the politicisation of the Social Intervention Fund. “The funds have been used for political reasons. I have one of such forms where your BVN number, PVC number, gender and account details must be written. I urge that an Ad-hoc Committee be set up to look into this issue.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Set up an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the matter. The Ad-Hoc Committee should also investigate the implementation of SURE-P.

Senator Barau Jibrin cited Orders 42 & 52 and brought to the attention of the Senate to the strike action embarked upon by ASUU.

“Nigeria has been dealing with strike after strike. The issues raised by ASUU are genuine. It is to the best interest of education in Nigeria. I demand and call on the Federal Government to concede to the demands of ASUU.”- Senator Shehu Sani.

“It is important that the government lives up to its reponsibilities. We intervened in the last ASUU strike and promised that their conditions would be looked into but the agreement has not been kept. We should look into this and ensure that agreements reached are implemented.”- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Urge the Federal Ministry of Education and its labour employment counterparts to urgently resolve any issues bordering on and in contention with the ASUU strike.

“It is important that the Federal Government honours the agreement to find and amicable solution to this.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Senator Dino Melaye cited Orders 42 & 52 and called the attention of the Senate to the alarming rate of scarcity of water supply in Nigeria. “The Nigerian water sector is in critical condition. The situation is alarming and calls for immediate intervention.”

“It is only in Abuja that one can find pipe-borne water. It’s a disgrace to Nigeria. We’ve gone 1 step forward & 10 steps back. We should be providing pipe-born water to every household in Nigeria. An investigation should be made by the Committee on water to find out what the funds for this purpose have been used for” – Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“It is true that there is a serious decline in water supply in rural areas. Funds were released but have not been utilized. It is a shame that we do not have pipe-borne water. I support this motion.” – Senator Adamu Aliero.

“I would like to draw our attention to a recent incident in Abuja which was due to the digging of boreholes. I suggest that this chamber looks into the matter.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Direct the Committee on water supply to carry out a holistic investigation into the declining state of water in Nigeria. Urge the Federal Government to embark on a long-term commitment to find a pathway for better water delivery in Nigeria;

III. Urge the Federal Government to investigate closely the implementation gaps in water services, delivery capabilities in the water sector and promoting better integration of the private sector in the water sector.

“This is of great concern to us. As a country, it is very embarrassing if our decline has gone down to 7% from 32%. As we all know, as a country, there must be adequate water supply for all our operations. Therefore, the committee should take this work with the importance that it deserves and quickly carry out investigations and try to particularly block the leakages in the area of corruption — where projects funded by donor agencies are diverted. We need to get to the bottom of this and find a solution that will improve water supply for our people.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi cited Order 42 and 52 and called the attention of the Senate to the multiple killings that engulfed Kaduna State and its environs within the past 2 weeks, which led to the loss of the life of the Chief of Adara.

“As long as we are not just and fair to all people, we will not have peace. We must demonstrate as elected political leaders that we are dedicated to all. The violence in Kaduna is a religious one.” The state has not had peace in the last decade because of this. We must be fair to both religions and look into this issue.”- Senator Shehu Sani

“This is a very sad issue but I was extremely impressed by the proactive steps taken by the Government of Kaduna State.” Senator Abubakar Kyari.

The Senate accordingly resolved to:

Call on the Federal Government to immediately form a Judicial Commission Enquiry into the crisis and the eventual kidnapping & murder of the Chief of Adara and why the dead were hurriedly buried in mass graves without adequate inquiries/inquest; Refer the issues of civilian J.T.F. to the Committee of the Senate on Security to investigate the extent to which the civilian Joint Task Force be allowed or otherwise.

III. Establish a legal status of all J.T.F. particularly the civilian J.T.F. operating in the country, particularly Kaduna State.

The Senate should send a delegation to condole the Adara Chiefdom and the people of Kaduna State on the killings and violence, particularly the gruesome killings of The Chief of Adara, HRH, Dr. Maiwada Galadima. Take a one-minute silence for the late Chief of Adara, HRH Dr. Maiwada Galadima and all those who lost their lives in the fracas.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of a petition from Mr. Ominiaboh’s Odiri Austin against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for alleged wrongful dismissal from the service of the corporation by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Senator Binta Masi Garba seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of a petition from Mr. Ominiaboh’s Odiri Austin against the NNPC for alleged wrongful dismissal from the service of the corporation.

The report was LAID.

Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic Langtang, Plateau State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 627) by Senator Barau Jibrin.

Senator Stella Oduah seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnic Langtang, Plateau State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 627)

The report was LAID.

MOTIONS

Demise of Chief Dr. Tony Okhakon Anenih CFR: The Iyasele (Prime Minister) of the Esan People by Senator Clifford A. Ordia.

“I agree entirely with all spoken of the leader. He led from the front. He was a friend of the parliament. He was a true politician. I believe what we should learn from Chief Anenih is that we should be steadfast, true to ourselves and pursue what is right.”- DSP, Ike Ekweremadu

“I am one of those that benefited from late Chief Anenih. We are here to mourn a great man. May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Binta Masi Garba.

“The late Chief was a very benevolent and great man. He was someone who never believed anything was impossible. He came, he fought and he conquered.”- Senator Matthew Urhoghide

“For once, I met a leader who treated people as human beings. He would face issues and say them as they were. He was not egocentric. We lost our ‘Mr. Fix It’, we lost a great man.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Observe a minute silence in his honour; Send a high powered delegation of this hallowed chamber to pay a condolence visit to his family in Abuja and Uromi and the people and government of Edo State;

III. Accord him all the official burial rites due such a national figure who served with such honour and diligence; and

Urge the Federal Government to name the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi after late Chief Tony Anenih CFR.

“This is a very great loss to the nation. Chief Anenih has touched the lives of so many people the country will surely miss him, especially now that the nation is going through an election year. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

The growing crises in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) by Senator Mao A. Ohuabunwa.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

Direct the Joint Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases and the Health Committee to wade into the emerging crisis of confidence and corruption in NPHCDA and NHIS, so as to thoroughly investigate the matter and other infractions and inform the Senate of the findings within two weeks.

Rescission and Reconsideration of the Senate Approval of Virement/Supplementary Budget for Independent National Electoral Commission and Security Agencies for the conduct of the 2019 general elections by Senator Danjuma Goje.

“I have an issue with the appropriation of over 27 billion to the police. It will not serve any purpose.” – Senator Dino Melaye

The Senate accordingly resolved to:

Rescind and reconsider its approval of the request as contained in resolution (S/RS/027/04/8) in line with Order 53(6) of it’s Standing Order; Approve the sum of N242,245,050,100 only.

III. Approve the source of fund from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the Service Wide Votes.

Committee on Police should look into the way the Nigerian Police have used the funds from the last two elections and report back in two weeks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced Senator Ibrahim Gobir as Chairman and Senators Shehu Sani, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Danjuma Goje, Dino Melaye, Matthew Urhoghide & Gbenga Ashafa as members of the Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the Special Intervention Fund.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki announced Senator Lawan Yahaya Gumau- Chairman, Federal character, Senator Ali Ndume- Chairman, Establishment; Senator Tijanni Kaura- Chairman, Police; Senator Abu Ibrahim- Chairman, Labour and Productivity.

Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

ADJOURNMENT

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 8th November, 2018.

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