Senate in session

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

President of the Senate Presiding

Prayer/Commencement: 10:39am

Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – approved (Moved by Sen. Bulus, Amos Seconded by Sen. Ayo, Patrick Akinyelure)

Points of Order:

1. Onor, Sandy Ojang

Order 43

Sen. Onor Sandy Ojang drew the attention of the Senate to the death of Sen. Joseph Oqua Ansa (MON) who represented Cross River Central from 1979 to 1983.

The Senate resolved to:

1. Observe a minute silence in honour of the dead

2. Abdullahi, Yahaya Abubakar (Senate Leader)

Order 43

Senate Leader requested an additional week to enable its Committee to complete its assignment on meeting with Heads of Security and submit its report.

 PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. Finance Bill 2020 (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 397)– First Reading

Sen. Abdullahi, Yayaha Abubakar

First Reading taken

2. Generating Set (Prohibition/Ban) Bill, 2020 (SB. 366) – First Reading

Sen. Bima, Muhamma Enagi

First Reading taken

3. Advanced Healthcare Development Fund Bill 2020 (SB. 371)– First Reading

Sen. Onor, Sandy Ojang

First Reading taken

4. Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) (Est, etc) Bill 2020 (SB. 391)– First Reading

Sen. Mohammed, Hassan.

First Reading taken

5. Federal Polytechnic Dange, Sokoto State (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 389) – First Reading

Sen. Ibrahim, A. Danbaba

First Reading taken

6. Nigeria Steel University, Ajaokuta, Kogi State (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 393) – First Reading

Sen. Yakubu, Oseni

ORDERS OF THE DAY

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act to  amend the Finance Act, 2019 and other relevant tax statutes to provide clarifications regarding the tax incentives for Agricultural production, the administrative effective date for the commencement of the increase in Value Added Tax to 7.5%  and certain basic items exempt from Value Added Tax and for other connected matters, 2020 (SB. 397)  – Second Reading

Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi.

Lead Debate by Sen.Yahaya Abdullahi.

Second Reading taken and referred to the Committee on Finance further legislative action; to report back in one week

2. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make provision for the Financial Autonomy of Local Government Councils and for other matter, 2020 (SB. 109) – Second Reading

Sen. Ahmad, Baba Kaita.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

3. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for amendment of Section 54(10 and Section 96(1) therein, 2020 (SB. 74) – Second Reading

Sen. Gyang, Istifanus Dun.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

4. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to give Local Government Council direct control of their Finances and other matters related thereto, 2020 (SB. 184) – Second Reading

Sen. Ekwunife, Uche Lilian.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

5. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for an upward review of the Derivation Formula for the inclusion of Solid Minerals and Hydro Power in Derivation principle and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 218) – Second Reading

Sen. Adetunmbi, Olubunmi Ayodeji

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

6. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 CAP C23 LFN 2004 to make provisions for Right of Food and Security in Nigeria and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 240) – Second Reading

Sen. Adamu, Abdullahi.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

7. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide regulation for the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and for other related matters, 2020 (SB. 247) – Second Reading

Sen. Basiru, Surajudeen Ajibola.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

8. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide immunity for members of the legislature in respect of words spoken or written at Plenary Sessions or Committees proceedings and institutionalize legislative bureaucracy in the Constitution; and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 253) – Second Reading

Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi.

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

9. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to preclude the Federal High Court from entertaining Pre-election disputes emanating from Congress, Conferences, Conventions or other meetings convened by political parties for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committee or other governing bodies and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 318) – Second Reading

Sen. Omo-Agege, Ovie Augustine

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

10. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to preclude the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory from entertaining Pre-election disputes emanating from Congress, Conferences, Conventions or other meetings convened by political parties for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committee or other governing bodies and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 319) – Second Reading

Sen. Omo-Agege, Ovie Augustine

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

11. A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to preclude the High Court of a State from entertaining Pre-election disputes emanating from Congress, Conferences, Conventions or other meetings convened by political parties for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committee or other governing bodies and for other matters, 2020 (SB. 320) – Second Reading

Sen. Omo-Agege, Ovie Augustine

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Constitutional Review

12. A Bill for an Act to establish the North West Development Commission to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial and industrial potentials of the north West, to receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federation for the Agricultural and Industrial Development of the North West and for other related matters therewith, 2020 (SB. 207) – Second Reading

Sen. Barau, I. Jibrin

Second Reading taken and referred to Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service matters to report back in four weeks

13. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba to make comprehensive provisions for due management and administration and for related matters, 2020 (SB. 282) – Second Reading

Sen. Smart Adeyemi.

Second Reading stood down to another legislative day.

14. A Bill for an Act to repeal the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and enact the Civil Aviation Act for the regulation of Civil Aviation in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2020 (SB. 195) – Second Reading

Sen. Abdullahi, Yayaha Abubakar.

Second Reading taken and referred to the Senate Committee on Aviation to report back in four weeks

MOTIONS

1. The urgent need to investigate the rehabilitation of Mararaba-Mubi-Michika-Bama Road Contract

Sponsor: Sen.  Ishaku, Elisha Cliff.

Senate Resolved to:

1. Mandate the community on works to engage the Ministry of Works and Housing to investigate why the work was abandoned for so long (as amended) ascertain the level of work so far and report back to the Senate.

The Prayer was adopted as amended

2. The urgent need to Accelerate Human Capital Development in Nigeria

Sponsor:  Sen. Oduah, Stella Adaeze.

Senate resolved to:

1. That the Senate Leader Should lead an Ad-Hoc Committee comprising of the following Committees: National Planning and Economic Affairs, Health, Education (Basic & Secondary) and Tertiary & TETFUND, Women Affairs & Youth Development, Employment, Labour & Productivity, Poverty Alleviation & Social Welfare, Sustainable Development goals etc to convene a special Policy Roundtable on human Capital Development in Nigeria, to identify policy measures that can enable Nigeria reap democratic dividends (as amended) ;
2. Urge the Federal Government to immediately set in motion the development of a national human capital development strategy and reform action plan and ensure immediate implementation of identified high-impact interventions across the country;
3. Urge Federal Government to urgently review the National Education Curricula to produce market-relevant graduates and in particular, declare an emergency to address girl’s education in the country;
4. Urge the Federal government to urgently to resuscitate manpower planning and scale up entrepreneurship and skills development programmes including Technical and Vocational education;
5. Urge the Federal Government to redouble its resource mobilization efforts and prioritize human capital development in resource allocation and improve the efficiency of resource use;
6. Urge State Governments to urgently implement the high-impact interventions, prioritizing investment in human capital development, spending more on preventive healthcare, increasing education enrolment and reducing the number of out of school children and dropouts.

Adjournment:

The Senate adjourned at 1:29 pm to resume on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10:00am prompt

Report by,

LAWAL O.K
HEAD PRESS RELATIONS (SSAP) NASSS- SENATE