Senate in Session (14/11/19)

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Senate President Presiding

Prayer/Commencement: 10:27am

Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, November 13, 2019 approved (Moved by Sen. Uche Ekwunife

Seconded by Sen. Yusuf A. Yusuf)

Oaths:  Sen. Biodun, Christine Olujimi of Ekiti -South was sworn in.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission ACT CAP N117 LFN 2014 (Repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 20) -First Reading

Sen. Senator Theodore Orji.

First Reading taken

2. 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2019 (SB. 48) – First Reading

Sen. Rose Oko

First Reading taken

3. Flags of Nigeria Ships Act CAP F31 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (SB.61)- First Reading.

Sen. Olalekan Mustapha.

First Reading taken

4. Fire (Hazard and Safeguard) Bill, 2019 (SB. 98))- First Reading

Sen. Senator Henry Bassey

First Reading taken

5. Integrated Data Management Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 102) -First Reading

Sen. Abubakar Yusuf

First Reading taken

6. Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 112) -First Reading

Sen. Uche Ekwunife

First Reading taken

 7. Cyber Crimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2010 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 163) – First Reading

Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai

First Reading taken

8. Federal College of Education (Technical) Iwo, Osun State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 164) -First Reading

Sen. Adeyemi Oriolowo

First Reading taken

9. Federal University Birnin-Kebbi State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 165) – First reading

Sen. Aliero Adamu

First Reading taken

10. Sickle Cell Anaemia (Prevention, Control and Management) Bill, 2019 (SB. 166)- First reading

Sen. Samuel Egwu

First Reading taken.

11. South West Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB. 167) – First reading

Sen. Ibikunle Amosun

First Reading taken.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

• That the Senate do receive the reports of Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of:

1. Petition from Nwachukwu A. Ndukwe Against the Hon. Minister of Water Resources for delaying his appointment as Executive Director Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority;
2. Petition from Elder C.D Ndukwe on behalf of Forty-Three (43) Aba Early Retirees of the Nigerian Breweries Plc against the Nigerian Breweries plc for Non-Payment of their full Retirement Benefits; and
3. Petition from Murtala A. Ibrahim Against the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for Alleged Refusal to Pay Arrears of his Entitlements and Failure to Remit his Pension Contributions.

The Reports were laid.

 CONSIDERATION OF BILS

1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Council on Public Procurement and Bureau of Public Procurement Act No. 14 of 2007 and for related matters, 2009 (SB.106) – Second Reading

Sen. Isa, Shuaibu Lau

Lead debate by Sen. Isa, Shuaibu Lau

Second reading taken and referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to report in two weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Council on Public Procurement and Bureau of Public Procurement Act No. 14 of 2007 and for related matters, 2009 (SB.109) – Second Reading

Sen. Ekwunife, Uche Lilian.

Lead debate by Sen. Ekwunife, Uche Lilian.

Second reading taken and referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to report in two weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Council on Public Procurement and Bureau of Public Procurement Act No. 14 of 2007 and for related matters, 2009 (SB.158) – Second Reading

Sen. Sankara, D. Abdullahi.

Consideration was stood down to another legislative day.  

ORDERS OF THE DAY

MOTIONS

1. The need for the continuous implementation of policy reforms for the diversification of the Nigerian economy through the Agricultural and Solid Mineral Sectors.

Sponsor: Sen. Amosun, Ibikunle Oyelaja

The Senate resolved to:

1. Commend the administration for the laudable policies introduced and the vigorous efforts put in to revamp the agricultural and solid mineral sectors as critical sectors to Nigeria’s quest for diversification of the economy;
2. Urge the Federal Government to collaborate with State and Local governments and the private sector to invest heavily in infrastructure particularly infrastructural development that will promote private investment in all areas of agriculture and solid minerals to facilitate linkage of agriculture/solid minerals to industry;

• Strengthen agricultural research activities through increased and stable funding, proper coordination, strengthening of linkages among other research centres;

1. Invest in the collection of geoscientific information/data of estimates for mineral deposits and grade of our mineral reserves so as to attract investors;
2. Urge the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to formalize the operations of illegal mines so that government can start to generate revenue from the collection of taxes and royalties;
3. Urge the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to grant tax holidays for investors in solid minerals sector, grants for feasibility studies and low interest rates for leasing and purchasing of equipment as well as to simplify the processes of acquiring mining licenses including electronic submission of applications for licenses, permits, certificates etc;

• Urge the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ensure strict adherence to policies and set goals for the various intervention policies and further develop strategies that will move farmers from subsistence farming to mechanized farming by collaborating with relevant Agencies to push for Zero tariffs for import on agricultural equipment and agro-processing equipment, Tax holidays for Investors, Increase levy on any commodities that Nigeria can produce (starch, sugar and wheat); and
• Direct Direct the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Solid Minera Development to organize round table conferences with relevant stakeholders to review the various intervention policies and programs both in the Agricultural and solid minerals sectors with a view to addressing the challenges militating against effective impact of the various Federal Government policies on the economy.

All Prayers were adopted.

Additional Prayers

1. Mandate the Committee on Finance to investigate the funds that is supposed to be committed to development of water resources, Agriculture and Solid Minerals in Nigeria.
2. To restructure and overhaul all the existing Agric research institutes with a view to contribute to modern research methods;
3. To establish a Solid Mineral Resources Development Commission to coordinate all the activities of both the legal and illegal miners or minerals mines in the country with the view of generating more funds;

• Improve security around agriculture hubs to enable farmers go to their farms; and
• To urge the Federal Government to set-up a regulatory body or a marketing board around the exportable crops in Agriculture and solid minerals.

All other motions were stepped down to another legislative day

Adjournment:

The Senate adjourned at 1:46pm to resume on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 10:00am prompt.

 Report by,

Lawal, O.K
Head Press Relations (SSAP) NASSS- SENATE