Tuesday, 19th December, 2017 House of Reps. Plenary

Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, December 19, 2017. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara presiding

After the Speaker led the opening prayer, he went on to examine and adopt plenary votes and proceedings for Thursday, December 5, 2017

PETITIONS

Hon. Yakub Balogun presented a petition on behalf of a barrister who represents some residents in Lagos who claim to be harassed by the Ministry of Housing without due process of a Court Order.
Hon. Orker Jev brought a petition from a constituent who has a grouse with the Nigeria Police
All Petitions referred to the Committee on Public Petitions

POINT OF ORDER

Hon. Agbonayinma Johnson raised a Motion of urgent Public Importance, Hon. Mohammed Sherriff seconded it. The Motion is on the need to urge the Minister of Information and the National Broadcasting Commission to cease on their acts in the Digital Switch-Over exercise, especially the next phase in Kwara State. He said the exercise was against the resolution of the House of Representatives and the Federal Government White Paper.

Debate

Hon. Agbobayinma stated that as the last hope of the ordinary Nigerians, the House of Representatives must continue to stand up for what is right for the people, for the nation and within the ambit of the Law, hence he urged an investigation into why a Government Agency would flaunt a House Resolution and the laid-down Government White Paper on the same matter. He also urged the House to stand against what he termed as the impunity and flagrant disregard for the Laws of the Land. The Motion was put to a vote, but it failed.

Hon. Nuhu Danburam Abubakar raised the Motion, Hon. Abubakar Lawal seconded it. The Morion is on a matter of Public Importance on the need to halt all forms of discrimination on grounds of religion and allow a lady banned from being called to the Bar for wearing her hijab. He called on the House to ensure Justice is done as the Constitution specifically spells out the attire of being called to Bar, and the hijab was never mentioned. He urged for the House to lend its voice and ensure she is successfully Called To Bar and fulfill her dream as a Nigerian. As an Investigative Motion, the question was put to a vote and passed.

ADMITTANCE INTO THE CHAMBER

Admittance into the Chamber:
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila:
“That the House, pursuant to Order Nineteen, Rule 8 (X) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his entourage into the Chamber for the purpose of observing proceedings of the House”.

PRESENTATION OF 5 BILLS FOR FIRST READING

1.​ Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Outdoor Signage and Advertisement Agency Bill, 2017 (HB. 1256) (Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun) — First Reading.

2. ​​Federal Polytechnic, Owaza-Asa, Abia State (Establishment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 1257) (Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta) — First Reading.
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3.​ Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners (Establishment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 1258) (Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga) — First Reading.

4.​ Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba (Establishment) Bill 2017 (HB. 1259) (Senate) — First Reading.

5.​ Federal Colleges of Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 1260) (Senate) — First Reading.

PRESENTATION OF REPORT

​Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and Public Procurement:
​Hon. Victor Nwokolo:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and Public Procurement on the Investigation into the $260 Million Contract Awarded by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) (HR. 53/2016)”(Referred: 24/2/2016).
Item stepped down by leave of the House as Hon. Nwokolo was not on the Floor of the House.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1.​ Consolidation of Bills:
(a)​A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to give Married Women Option of Indigeneship; and for Related Matters (HB. 1190) (Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok); and

(b)​A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Establishment of Federal Character Tribunal for the Prosecution of Violations of the Federal Character Act; and for Related Matters (HB. 1203) (Hon. Ochiglegor Idagbo).

Hon. Orker Jev moved for the consolidation of the Bills, Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo seconded it. The House Committee on Rules and Business were directed to slate it for another Legislative day.

2.​ A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Protection of the Identity of Officers, Agents, Sources of Information, Informants and Methods of Operation of National Security Agencies from Unlawful Disclosure; and to Protect their Establishments, Facilities and Equipment against Unauthorized Access and to Provide for the Promotion and Enhancement of National Security; and for Related Matters (HB. 830) — Third Reading.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila moved for the Third Reading of the Bill, Hon. Orker Jev seconded it. It was voted on, and passed. The Clerk read the Long Title.

3.​ A Bill for an Act to Establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria, provide for the Equitable and Sustainable Development, Management, Use and Conservation of Nigeria’s Surface Water and Groundwater Resources; and for Related Matters (HB. 1021) — Third Reading.
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila moved for the Third Reading of the Bill, Hon. Orker Jev seconded it. It was voted on, and passed. The Clerk read the Long Title.

4.​ A Bill for an Act to provide for the Protection of Human Rights Online, to Protect Internet Users in Nigeria from Infringement of their Fundamental Freedoms and to Guarantee Application of Human Rights for Users of Digital Platforms and or Digital Media; and for Related Matters (HB. 490) — Third Reading.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila moved for the Third Reading of the Bill, Hon. Orker Jev seconded it. It was voted on, and passed. The Clerk read the Long Title.

5.​ A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs to Regulate and Control the Practice of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1239) (Senate) (Leader) — Second Reading.
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila moved for the Second Reading of the Bill, Hon. Orker Jev seconded it.

Debate

The Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila explained that the Bill originated from the Senate and was seeking the concurrence of the House of Representatives. He urged Members to support it, as it has been adequately debated in the Senate. It was voted on, passed, The Clerk read the Long Title of the Bill and it was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

6.​ A Bill for an Act to Amend the Hydro Electric Power Production Areas Development Commission Act, 2010 to make Provisions for Reduction of Percentage on Revenue Generated by any Company or Authority from the Operations of Hydro Electric Dams; and for Related Matters (HB. 1213) (Senate) (Leader) — Second Reading.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila moved for the Second Reading of the Bill, Hon. Dan Asuquo seconded it.

Debate

The Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila explained that the Bill also originated from the Senate and was seeking the concurrence of the House of Representatives. He urged Members to support it as it has been adequately debated in the Senate. It was voted on, passed, The Clerk read the Long Title of the Bill and it was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

7.​ A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State to ensure Equity and Access to Tertiary Education in the Country, the University is a Conventional University with Restricted and Limited Programmes and Focused Facilities; and for Related Matters (HB. 1161) (Hon. Abdullahi Umar Faruk) — Second Reading.

Hon. Abdullahi Faruk moved for the Second Reading of the Bill, Hon. Aminu Shagari seconded it.

Debate

Hon. Faruk stated that the mode of running the Institution is not in-line with the Rule of Law, the Bill he stated is aimed at correcting this and other such illegalities nationwide. It was put to a vote, passed for Second Reding and was referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education Services.

MOTION

8.​ Call to Investigate the Fraudulent Award of Contracts Amounting to ₦42 Billion on Rural Electrification Schemes in some Federal Universities:

​Hon. Darlington Nwokocha:

The House:

Notes that the Rural Electrification Access Program in the Federal Universities is a pilot scheme designed by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to electrify eight (8) Federal Universities in the first instance and later replicate same across the remaining Universities;
Also notes that the sum of Nine Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (₦9,500,000,000) was appropriated for the projects in the 2017 Appropriation Act;

Aware that the projects, which were supposed to be spread across the six geo-political zones of the country were not evenly distributed, but mainly concentrated in some zones to the disadvantage of the others, which is against the principle of federal character enshrined in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999;

Also aware that the projects, which were initially approved at ₦9.5 billion in the Appropriation Act, were later awarded at the total cost of ₦42 billion in violation of the Public Procurement Act;

Concerned that the contracts were selectively awarded to two (2) contracting companies that do not have any records of achievements in the fields which is tantamount to further violation of the Public Procurement Act;

Resolves to:

(i)​urge the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to stop forthwith further procurement processes on the projects, pending the outcome of investigation; and

(ii)​mandate the Committees on Power and Public Procurement to investigate the matter and report back in three (3) weeks for further legislative action.

Hon. Nwokocha moved the Motion, Hon. Babajimi Benson seconded it. As an Investigative Motion, the question was taken and it passed.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:

9.​ A Bill for an Act to Incorporate Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944 into Nigerian Law, to Establish the Nigerian Search and Rescue Service; and for Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 319) (Adjourned Consideration: 20/7/2017).

The Origin of the Report was from a Bill rolled over from the Seventh House of Representatives as its process was not completed then. The House Committees on Rules / Business and Justice had proposed an Amendment, and for it to be re-presented to the House.

The House in the Committee of the Whole, on the above Report Voted and Carried Clauses 1-4, Clause 5 was expunged. Clause 6 (A) was voted and carried, Clause 6 (B) was expunged. Clauses 7-21 were then Voted and Carried, Clause 22 was Amended to define the Ministry, it was then voted and Carried. Clause 23 and other Segments of the Report were also voted and Carried.

​10.​ Committee on Public Petitions:

​Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by CPL Faruna Okwoli against the Nigeria Police Force on wrongful and compulsory retirement from Service and approve the recommendation therein” (Laid: 18/5/2017):
Urge the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police to reinstate CPL Faruna Okwoli forthwith and pay all his salaries and entitlements.

​11.​ Committee on Public Petitions:

​Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Eddy Onyenweuzo against the United Bank for Africa Plc over alleged fraudulent practices that led to the withdrawal of over Eighty-eight million Naira from his account and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 26/7/2017):

​(i)​ urge the United Bank for Africa to reconcile his transactions with Unilever Plc;

​(ii)​ also urge the United Bank for Africa to refund the sum of ₦2,794,474.96 to Eddy Onyenweuzo being excess interest charge on the overdraft facility availed him.

​12.​ Committee on Public Petitions:

​Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Hajiya Hurera Hassan Turaki against the Public Complaints Commission on unlawful removal of her name from the Commission’s Nominal Roll as the Secretary and approve the recommendation therein” (Laid:26/7/2017):

Urge the Public Complaints Commission to allow Hajiya Hurera Hassan Turaki to resume immediately at the Federal Capital Territory Office as a Director or her appointment be terminated forthwith.

13.​ Committee on Public Petitions:

​Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Goodnews Construction Company Ltd and Clintouch Engineering Ltd against the Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning for Payment of Contract sum awarded by the defunct National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and approve the recommendation therein (Laid: 26/7/2017):

Urge the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to pay Goodnews Construction Company Ltd and Clintouch Engineering Limited the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-One Million, Nine Thousand Naira only (₦121,009,000) being the total sum of the supplies made.

​Committee on Public Petitions:

​Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Fredorosa Casolini Limited against the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)” (Laid 21/11/2017):

Mandate the Committee on Environment and Habitat to ascertain the extent of the environmental damages and for Fredorosa Casolini Limited to bear 20% of the cost.

15.​ Committee on Public Petitions:

Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Nichodemus Egwuetu Eze against the Principal Chief Executive of Petroleum Training Institute, Efurum, Delta State on unjust treatment and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 5/10/2017):

​(i)​ urge the Petroleum Training Institute, Efurum to withdraw the suspension forthwith;

(ii)​ also urge the Institute to compute all the salaries and entitlements as at the time his salary was stopped till 2013, and he should be graded with his highest qualification

Items 10 – 15 were stepped down by leave of the House due to the absence of Hon. Abonta on the Floor of the House.

HOUSE IN PLENARY:

The House in Plenary adopted Proceedings it undertook in the Committee of The Whole

Adjournment

The House adjourned Plenary till Wednesday, December 20, by 11:00 Am