Summary of Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, May 30th, 2023
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
1. Rep. Jimoh Olajide moved a motion on the announced removal of the fuel subsidy regime by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and it was seconded by Rep. Ari Abdulmunim. The motion was voted on and adopted.
2. Rep. Jonathan Gbwefi moved a motion on the urgent need to ensure the establishment of the National Assembly e-Library Trust Fund to the tune of 255 Million Naira and 118 Million Naira for the smooth running of the National Assembly e-library and it was seconded by Rep. Ademorin Kuye. The motion was voted on and adopted.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debt Management: Rep. Ahmed Safana Dayyabu:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management on Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance as Refund to Borno State Government for Projects Executed on behalf of the Federal Government” (Referred: 23/5/2023). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Ahmed Safana and seconded by Rep. Nicholas Ossai
2. Committee on Basic Education and Services: Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Basic Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Examinations Council (NECO) Act Cap. N37, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Examinations Council Bill to Provide for making NECO National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BSCE), and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (Internal) (SSCE) (1) Compulsory for every Nigerian Child and Provide for the Removal of Clause “without Prejudice to the existing Powers and Function of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)” from the Act and to design the scope of the Power and Functions of the Governing Board of the Council and for Related Matters (HB.2206) (Referred: 4/5/2023). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Amos Magaji and seconded by Rep. Nicholas Ossai
3. Committee on Basic Education and Services: Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Basic Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to Amend National Business and Technical Examinations Board Act, Cap. N12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to improve the Scope of the Board, to Undertake Contemporary Business and Technical Examinations in Line with the National Policy on Education, Provide the General Purpose of the Results, Certificate,s and Awards Issued by the Board; and for Related Matters (HB.1492) (Referred: 23/11/2021). The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Amos Magaji and seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Makama
4.Ad–hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Cases of Indiscriminate and Unlawful Administrative Charges on Contracts and such Percentage charges on Projects Implementation: Rep. Francis Charles Uduyok:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Ad–hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Cases of Indiscriminate and Unlawful Administrative charges on Contracts and such Percentage charges on Projects Implementation” (Referred: 20/1/2022). The report was laid a following a motion by Rep. Francis Uduyor and seconded by Rep. Kabiru Idris
ORDERS OF THE DAY–BILLS
- A Bill for an Act to Establish Parliamentary College and for Related Matters (HB.2228) (Senate) (Leader) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, passed, read the second time, and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
2 A Bill for an Act to Upgrade the College of Health Technology, Jahun and Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Jahun, Jigawa State and for Related Matters (HB.2124) (Rep. Saidu Yusuf Miga) – Second Reading. Second reading of the Bill stepped down by leave of the House.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY) Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila Chaired:
3. Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debt Management: Rep. Ahmed Safana Dayyabu:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management on Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance as Refund to Borno State Government for Projects Executed on behalf of the Federal Government” (Laid: 30/5/2023)- Committee of Supply.
Recommendation
Approve the Promissory Note Issuance to settle outstanding claims and liabilities of Borno State Government in the sum of sixteen billion, seven hundred and seventy-two million, four hundred and eighty-six thousand, and two naira, nineteen kobos, only (N16, 772,486,002.19) based on the claims by Borno State. Summary of voting: Recommendation voted on and adopted: 1
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase Chaired:
4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Agricultural Technology, Opialu Ojapo, Benue State and for Related Matters (HB.2208) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole:4/5/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-30
5.A Bill for an Act to Establish Micro Biology Council of Nigeria to Provide for the Control of its Membership and to Promote and Foster the Practice of Micro Biology in the Federation and for Related Matters (HB.2222) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole:24/5/4/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-23
6.A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Fire Service Act, Cap. F29, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Federal Fire and Rescue Service Bill and for Related Matters (HB.2218) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 24/5/4/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-50
7. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) to make Provision for the Establishment of Federal College of Forestry Management and Tourism Idare, Ondo State; and for Related Matters (HB.1277) – Committee of the Whole:25/5/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3
8. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Asset) Act, Cap. B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to reflect the prevailing situation in the country; and for Related Matters (HB. 1303) – Committee of the Whole: 23/3/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-4
9. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, No. 11 of 2022 to provide for Additional Source of Fund for the Management of the Library to enhance the Capacity Legislators and National Assembly staff and for Related Matters (HB.2223) – Committee of the Whole: 24/5/2023.
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1 & 2…… Further consideration deferred for further legislative actions
10. Report of the Conference Committee: Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Audit Ordinance of 1956 and Enact the Federal Audit Service Act, 2023 to Establish Federal Audit Service, Provide additional Powers and Functions of the Auditor–General for the Federation, Establish Federal Audit Board and for Related Matters and approve recommendations therein” (Laid: 24/5/2023). The report was adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
Summary of voting: Report adopted.
11.Committee on Health Care Services: Rep. Yusuf Tanko Sununu:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee Health Care Services on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Anatomy Act, Cap. A16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Anatomy Bill, 2023 to Provide for Establishment of the Anatomy Council of Nigeria, bring the Practice of Anatomy in conformity with current Local and Global Realities and for Related Matters (HB.1637) and approve recommendations therein” (Laid 28/12/2022).
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-41
12. Committee on Health Institutions: Rep. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Health Technology, Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government, Borno State and for Related Matters (HB.1943) and approve recommendations therein” (Laid: 23/5/2023).
Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-25
13. Ad-hoc Committee on the State of Refineries in the Country: Rep. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson:
“That the House do Consider the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the State of Refineries in the Country on the Need to Ascertain the Actual Daily Consumption of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria (HR. 21/01/2022) and approve recommendations therein” Laid: 24/5/4/2023).
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE:
Considering the above findings and observations made by the Committee in the course of the investigation and activities, the following recommendations were made for further legislative action:
(i) That continuous legislative oversight of the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries be ensured in order to achieve results;
(ii) That the NNPC should ensure the immediate award of contract for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery;
(iii) that the NNPC should take full advantage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 passed by the National Assembly to fast-track the rehabilitation programme of the refineries empowered by the deregulated Business Environment and ensure that the refineries are restored to a maximum 90% nameplate utilization;
(iv) that the Federal Government should ensure the activation of all the 37 non-active Licences approved and issued to certain private refineries for maximum operations or such licences be revoked;
(v) That the NNPC pay the outstanding sum of €202,500.03 as balance for the outstanding payments due to SAIPEM Nigeria Limited on the contract for the Technical Plant Survey of Warri and Kaduna Refineries as the job was concluded and fully reported;
(vi) that FBN Quest Merchant Bank should refund to the nation the total sum of US$438,012.44 paid to them as Retainer Fees from 2017-2018 as the Financing Advisory Contract for the rehabilitation of the three (3) refineries was not successful and was suspended due to the Financing Consortia not reaching agreeable terms for the transaction with the NNPC;
(vii) That a forensic audit be conducted on all the rehabilitation projects in the three (3) refineries.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase asked the Ad-Hoc Committee to bring out a clear list of recommendations that should be a template to deal with the specific issues the Ad-Hoc committee was set up to achieve. Further consideration of the report was then deferred for further legislative action.
Adjournment:
The House at 14:13 adjourned plenary to Wednesday, May 31st, 2023
