The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Transmission from Mr. President
1. Transmission of the Amended Finance Bill 2022 for approval and passage by the National Assembly. This is to aid the implementation of the 2023 budget.
Defection of Member
2. Rep. Henry Nwawuba of Imo state from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
- Rep. Mohammed Alkali moved a motion on the need to investigate the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service over the process of producing and dispensing the Nigerian International passport and it was seconded by Rep. Jimoh Olajide. The motion was voted on and adopted.
The membership of the Ad-Hoc committee to investigate the issue was announced and it is to be chaired by Rep. Hafis Kawu. The Committee is to turn in its report within 10 calendar days.
2. Rep. Henry Nwawuba moved a motion on the need to stop the proposed disbursement of $700 Million of the Cabotage Finance Fund and it was seconded by Rep. Toby Okechukwu. The motion was voted on and adopted.
3. Rep. Abdullahi Halims moved a motion on the need to halt the planned concession of the Ajaokuta Steel complex and the National Iron Processing Institute and it was seconded by Rep. Taiwo Oluga. The motion was voted on and adopted.
4. Rep. Toby Okechukwu moved a motion on the need for clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu on his plight being suffered in the United Kingdom and it was seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.
The speaker said “I am confident that Ike Ekweremadu and his wife have learned from their recent experiences and will be guided by their better angels for the rest of their days. If nothing else, for the sake of their ailing daughter, Sonia, let mercy temper justice for this family.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
1. Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.2207) (Senate) – First Reading.
2. Federal College of Agricultural Technology Opialu Ojapo, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.2208) (Senate) – First Reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
- Committee on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management:
Rep. James Abiodun Faleke: “That the House do receive the Report of the Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances” (Referred: 21/12/2022). Laying of report stepped down by leave of the House
2. Committee on Health Institutions: Rep. Paschal Obi: “That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Ibeju–Lekki, Lagos State; and for Related Matters (HB.1878) (Referred:7/4/2022). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Dachung Bagos and seconded by Rep. Ifeanyi Momma
3.Committee on Health Institutions: Rep. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Provide the Legal Framework for the Upgrade and Conversion of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa to Federal Medical Centre, Ilesa, Osun State; and for Related Matters (HB.1683) (Referred:29/3/2022). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Dachung Bagos and seconded by Rep. Ifeanyi Momma
4.Committee on Health Care Services: Rep. Yusuf Tanko Sunnu:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Care Services on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB.2172) (Referred 23/3/2023). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Samuel Adejare and seconded by Rep. Abdulganiyu Johnson
ORDER OF THE DAY-BILLS
1.A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Polytechnic, Orozo, Abuja to Provide Full–Time Courses in Technology, Applied Science, Management, and Other Fields of Study and to make provisions for the Administration of such Polytechnic and for Related Matters (HB.698) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Abuja Environmental Protection Board for the Protection, Regulation, Management, Monitoring, and Control of all forms of Environmental Degradation and Enforcement of Standards and Guidelines on Prohibition of Pollution and Promotion of Cooperation on Environmental Science and Technologies in the Federal Capital Territory and for Related Matters (HB. 1768) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Urban Development and Planning Commission for the Purpose of Formulation and Preparation of Physical Development Plans and the Improvement of Social Amenities within the FCT and for Related Matters (HB. 707) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
4. A Bill for an Act to Domesticate New Partnership for Africa’s Development Framework and Establish African Union Development Agency and to give effect to its Provisions in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB. 2180) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
5. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Colleges of Education Act, Cap, F8. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Federal College of Education Bill and for Related Matters (HB. 1455) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
6. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to strengthen the Operations of the Agency, empower the Agency to Establish Laboratories, update the list of Dangerous Drugs, review the Penalty Provisions, and enhance the Power of the Agency to Prosecute Drug Related Offences and issue Subsidiary Legislation and for Related Matters (HB.2195) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
7. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, Cap. N102 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Bill, 2023 and for Related Matters (HB.2196) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
8. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Environmental Research and Training Institute for the Development of Environmental Policies, Training, and Research and for Related Matters (HB. 2136) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
9. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria to Provide for the Control of its Membership and Promote the Practice of Risk Management in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.2037) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
10. A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Directors in Nigeria to Provide Professional Training to Directors and to Promote Effective Governance, Public Accountability, Professional Efficiency and for Related Matters (HB. 1571) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
11. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurfi and for Related Matters (HB. 1185) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
12. A Bill for an Act to Establish Haliru Dantoro University of Fisheries and Aquaculture, New Bussa, Niger State to Promote Science-Based Research in Fisheries and Aquaculture and for Related Matters – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
13. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Metallurgical Training Institute, Sagamu, Ogun State to Provide Training, Information, Supervision, Guidance, and Advice to Students, Researchers, and Personnel in Iron and Steel, and Oil and Gas Industries for National Development and for Related Matters (HB. 528) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
14, A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies to have Responsibilities for the Conduct and Regulations of Examinations and its Due Administration and for Related Matters (HB. 1728) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
15. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Commission for Almajiri Education and Out–of–School Children to Provide for a Multimodal System of Education to tackle the menace of Illiteracy, Develop Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Programmes, Prevent Youth Poverty, Delinquency and Destitution in Nigeria, and for Related Matters (HB. 2028) – Third Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the third time, and passed.
16. A Bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Medical Research Council and for Related Matters (HB.2190) (Senate) (Leader) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed, and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
17. A Bill for an Act to Repeal Defence Industries Corporation Act, Cap. D 4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, 2023 to Operate, Maintain, and Control Subsidiaries and Ordinance Factories for the Manufacture, Storage, and Disposal of Ordinance and Ancillary Stores and Materiel, provide a comprehensive framework for the Regulation of the Manufacture, Distribution, Storage, and Disposal of Defence Article, Support Research activities in Defence Related Fields and for Related Matters (HB.2178) (Rep. Babajimi Benson) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed, and referred to House Committee on Defense.
18. A Bill for an Act to give effect to the provision of African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.2167) (Rep. Dachung M. Bagos) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed, and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
MOTION
19. Need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to Complete Abandoned Hospitals and Road Projects in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State:
Resolutions: (i) urge the NDDC to include Hospitals and Road Projects in the 2023 Niger Delta Development Commission Budget; (ii) mandate the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission to ensure compliance and report back within two (2) weeks for further legislative action. The motion was voted on and adopted.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
20. Committee on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management: Rep. James Abiodun Faleke: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 2/5/2023) – Committee of Supply. Consideration of report stepped down by leave of the House
21. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the National Food Safety Council and National Food Safety Management Committee for the Official Control of Food and Feed Safety, the obligations of Food and Feed Business Operators, and define the Functions and Powers of Institutions of Government with the objective of ensuring that Food and Feed Safety Risks are effectively managed and for Related Matters (HB.2176) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-58
22. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Dietitians Council of Nigeria to Regulate the Profession of Dietetics and for Related Matters (HB. 515) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-32
23. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Foresters and for Related Matters (HB.801) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-31
Adjournment:
The House at 14:33 adjourned plenary to Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023.
