Summary of Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, October 10th 2023.
The Deputy Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu presided.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Communication from Mr. President:
Confirmation of Chairman and Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission. He expressed optimism that the House will find the candidates worthy for confirmation.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for keeping to the letter of the Law for bringing the names of the nominees for confirmation before the Senate in conjunction with the House of Representatives. He expressed optimism that the constitution of the leadership of the NDDC will ensure good governance and assured that the Legislature will do all within its legislative jurisdiction to ensure the NDDC functions for the good of Nigerians, especially those living in the Niger Delta region.
An Ad-Hoc Committee will in effect be set up to join the confirmation committee of the Senate for the exercise. The membership of the Ad-Hoc Committee was announced and is to be chaired by Hon. Ibori Erhiatake. The Committee is billed to sit for the confirmation exercise on Thursday, October 12th and brief the House on Tuesday, October 17th.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
1.Federal College of Education, Kamba, Kebbi State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.549) (Hon. Rabiu Garba Kamba) – First Reading.
2.Federal Medical Centres, Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 550) (Hon. Kabiru Yusuf Alhaji) – First Reading.
3.National institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture Studies, Abigi, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.551) (Hon. Joseph Folorunsho Adegbesan) – First Reading.
4.Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.552) (Hon. Joseph Folorunsho Adegbesan) – First Reading.
5.Federal Cancer Research and Treatment Centre, Asa, Kwara State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.553) (Hon. Muktar Shagaya) – First Reading.
6.Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition, Ilorin West, Kwara State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.554) (Hon. Muktar Shagaya) – First Reading.
7.National Prosecution Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.555) (Hon. Mohammed Jamilu Katsina) – First Reading.
8.Nigerian Agricultural Promotion Council Bill, 2023 (HB. 556) (Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher) – First Reading.
9.Labour Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.557) (Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher) – First Reading
10.Child Rights and Welfare Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.558) (Hon. Jesse Okey- Joe Onuakalusi) – First Reading.
11.Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.559) (Hon. Jesse Okey- Joe Onuakalusi) – First Reading.
12.National Agriculture Commodity and Price Control Board (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.560) (Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde) – First Reading.
13.Bitumen Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.561) (Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde) – First Reading.
14.Central Bank of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.562) (Hon. Ademorin Kuye) – First Reading.
15.Nigerian Ports Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.563) (Hon. Miriam Onuoha) – First Reading.
16.Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Act(Amendment)Bill, 2023 (HB.564) (Hon. Miriam Onuoha) – First Reading.
17.Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.565) (Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi) – First Reading.
18.Small Scale Enterprises Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.566) (Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi) – First Reading.
19.Minimum Qualification for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors Bill, 2023 (HB.567) (Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji) – First Reading.
20.Examination Malpractices Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.568) (Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji) – First Reading.
21.Legal Aid Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.569) (Hon. Ime Okon) – First Reading.
22.Army Colour (Prohibition of Use) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.570) (Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo) – First Reading.
23.Investment and Securities Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.571) (Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo) – First Reading.
24.Federal College of Agriculture , Mbatie, Buruku, Benue State (Establishment) Bill ,2023 (HB.572) (Hon. Sekav Dzua Iyortyom) – First Reading.
25.National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.573) (Hon. Chinedu Ogah) – First Reading.
26.Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.574) (Hon. Chinedu Ogah) – First Reading.
27.National Park Service Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.575) (Hon. Victor Abang) – First Reading.
28.Central Bank of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.576) (Hon. Akingbaso Festus) – First Reading.
29.Dishonoured Cheques act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.577) (Hon. Akingbaso Festus) – First Reading.
30.National Institute for Information Communication Technology, Suleja (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.578) (Hon. Adamu Tanko) – First Reading.
31.Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.579) (Hon. Wale Hammed) – First Reading.
32.Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Wholesome Processed Foods (Prohibition and Control) Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.580) (Hon. Wale Hammed) – First Reading.
33.Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.581) (Hon. Wale Hammed) – First Reading.
34.Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2023 (HB.582) (Hon. Sagir Koki) – First Reading.
35.Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Chocerciasis Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.583) (Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdullahi) – First Reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORT:
Ad–hoc Committee to Convene a Legislative Summit on Students Loans and Access to Higher Education in Nigeria. Hon. Terseer Ugbor: “That the House do receive the Report of the Ad–hoc Committee to Convene a Legislative Summit on Students Loans and Access to Higher Education in Nigeria (hr.43/07/2023) (Referred: 5/7/2023). The report was laid.
ORDERS OF THE DAY: BILLS:
1.Consolidation of Bills:
(a) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff and for Related Matters (HB. 07) (Hon. Benjamin Okeize Kalu and six others ); and
(b) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the engagement as Consultants of Senior Compulsory Retired Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to provide Training and Guidance to Serving Officers and for Related Matter (HB. 13) (Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi). . The Bills were voted on, approved for consolidation and the House Committee on Rules and Business was told to schedule a date for the commencement of the debate on the new Bill.
2.A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Steel Development Act, Cap. N134 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Related Matters (HB. 36) Hon. Yusuf Gadi) – Second Reading. Second reading of Bill stepped down by leave of the House.
MOTIONS:
3.Reconsideration of Outstanding Bills from Preceding Assembly: Hon. Francis E. Waive:
(i) ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons (Ratification and Enforcement) Bill, 2023 (HB.314);
(ii) Federal Roads Authority Bill, 2023 (HB.288);
(iii) National Transport Commission Bill, 2023 (HB.306);
(iv) Federal University of Agriculture Mpu Bill, 2023 (HB.308);
(v) National Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science Bill, 2023 (HB.310);
(vi) Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.311);
(vii) Nigerian Service Civil Defence Corps Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 (HB.312);
(viii) Nigeria Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.313);
(ix) Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.315);
(x) Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.316);
(xi) Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB 482);
(xii) Federal College of Education, Mutu Biyu Taraba State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.494);
(xiii) Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.171);
(xiv) Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.473);
(xv) Federal University of Sports, Afuze, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.476);
(xvi) Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sobe, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.477);
(xvii) Nigerian Medical Research Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.470);
(xviii) National Ethics and Values Compliance Agency (Establishment Bill, 2023 (HB. 528);
(xix) Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023 (HB.500) and
(xx) Federal Medical Centre, Sabon-gida-ora, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.478).
Commit the Bills to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.. The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the committee of the Whole.
4.Need for the Reconstruction of the Federal Highway in Edo State.Hon. Julius O. IhonvbereHon. Akpatason O. Z Hon. Dennis IdahosaHon Marcus Onobun Hon. Okojie Henry S. Dekeri Hon. lyawe Esosa Hon. Osawaru Billy Hon. Omoruyi Murphy Osaro . The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Works as well as that on Legislative Compliance.
5.Need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to Address the Impact of the Failing Naira against the Dollar and other Currencies on the Nigerian Economy. Hon. Ismaila Haruna Dabo: The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House committee on Banking Regulations.
6.Alleged Mismanagement of Funds and Other Irregularities in the Operations of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Hon. Esosa Iyawe: The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Healthcare Services as well as that on Insurance.
7.Need to Commence the Construction of Section V, of the East West Road to Link Oron, Akwa Ibom State and Odukpani Calabar in Cross River State.Hon. Bassey AkibaHon. Mike Etaba Hon. Alex Egbona
Hon. Joseph Bassey Hon. Emil Inyang Hon. Victor Abang Hon. Peter Akpanke Hon. Godwin Offiono. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Works as well as that on Appropriations.
8. Need to Intervene on the Perennial Gully Erosion Menace in Nkisi Aroli 1 and Obeleagu Communities of Onitsha North/ South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.Hon. Idu Emeka G. O:. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Environment as well as that on Ecological Fund.
9.Need to Control the Erosion Ravaging Bauchi –Gombe, Alkaleri/Kirfi Local Government Areas, Section of the Federal High Way of Bauchi State. Hon. Kabiru Yusuf Alhaji: The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency, North East Development Commission, Ecological Fund as well as that on Appropriations.
10.Establishment of Functional Libraries in the Seven Hundred and Seventy–Four Local Government Areas in Nigeria.Hon. Jesse Okey–Joe OnuakalusiHon. Mohammed MurtarHon. Dabo Haruna
Hon. Salman IdrisHon. Hassan K. JakduwaHon. Engr. BukarTalba Hon. Rufai JingiHon. Olawande GeorgeHon. Hassani M. Jallo:. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Education as well as that on University Education.
11.Need to Rehabilitate the Okpanam–Asaba Federal Highway, Delta State. Hon. Ngozi Okolie:. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Works as well as that on Federal Road Maintenance Agency.
12.Need to Investigate the Untimely Death of Medical Personnel on Duty. Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola: The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House committee on Health Institutions as well as that on Labour, Employment and Productivity.
13.Need to Rehabilitate and Adequately Equip Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Hon. Hassan Shehu Hussain:. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Health Institutions as well as that on Appropriations.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu Chaired:
14.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 (Establishment) Bill, 2023; and for Related Matters (HB. 211) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 26/7/2023.
15.A Bill for an Act to Establish a National Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters. (HB. 207) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 25/7/2023.
Adjournment:
The House at 15:14 PM adjourned plenary to Wednesday, October 11th ,2023
