PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF Wednesday, 1st March 2023
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 11:13 am.
CLOSED-DOOR
Senate moved into a closed-door session at 11:14 am.
Senate resumed plenary at 11:26 am.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan reported that the Senate in a Closed Door Session deliberated on matters bordering on the workings of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Kabiru Barkiya moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 28th February 2023.
Senator Clifford Odia seconded.
“Let me on behalf of the Senate congratulate the winner of the Presidential election 2303, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was declared the winner by INEC early this morning. We pray that this country will see more and better development and progress and we also pray that the 10th Senate will provide the kind support that the President-Elect will need for the betterment of our country.
“Let me also invite Distinguished Senators, particularly APC Senators to attend, if possible, the ceremony for the issuance of Return of Certificate to our President-Elect, Senator Bola Tinubu at 3 pm today at the International Conference Centre (ICC).” –
Senate President Ahmad Lawan
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1456) was read the First Time.
2. Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences Isiala-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1642) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences Isiala-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1642) was read for the First Time
3. Federal Medical Centre, Oghara Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 573) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal Medical Centre, Oghara Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 573) was read for the First Time.
4. Nigerian College of Taxation and Fiscal Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1106) by Senator Sabi Abdullahi
Nigerian College of Taxation and Fiscal Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1106) was read for the First Time.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Public Accounts
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who stood in for Chairman of the Committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide moved that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on:
i. Annual Report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December 2016
ii. Annual Report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December 2017.
iii. Annual Report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December 2018.
Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe laid the three reports.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Iwo, Osun State and for other related matters connected therewith, 2023 (SB. 164) by Senator Adelere Oriolowo
Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Orthopedic Centre, Ihitte, Ihitte-Uboma, Imo State and for related matters, 2023 (SB. 1104) by Senator Frank Ibezim
“I rise to support the lead debate of this Bill. This Bill as moved by the sponsor should be wholly supported to assist people in the local community to have access to medical care.” – Senator Ayo Akinyelure
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Health to report back within four weeks.
CONCURRENCE RESOLUTION
1. Use of excessive force and abuse of due process by Nigerian Air Force against Blue Boulevard Limited by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Senator Gershom Bassey seconded.
Senate accordingly resolved to adopt the resolutions of the House of Representatives to:
i. Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire the liability on behalf of the Nigeria Air Force and its Establishment, Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited by paying off Total investments made by Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited for work done in the construction of a Shopping Mall located at NAF Base Port Harcourt, Rivers State the sum of Thirty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira (35,402,725,622.00) only as a result of the collapse of agreements between the parties which ought to end in 2032;
ii. Order Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited after it has been paid the sum of Thirty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira (35,402,725,622.00) to return subscribers’ funds in the sum of One Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Eleven Naira (N1,275,867,611) only to the Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited;
iii. Also urge Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited to approach the Courts(s) to vacate all pending injunctions including the Federal High Court judgment in Suit No. FHC/PH/FHR/71/2017 restraining the defendant from gaining access and taking possession of the Shopping Mall upon the receipt of N35,402,725,622.00); and
iv. Urge the Federal Government to transmit as promissory notes to the National Assembly for approval the sum of Thirty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira (N35,402,725,622.00) only or accommodate same in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriations.
CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT
1. Report of the Committee on Electoral Matters
Confirmation of the Nomination of Dr Mahmuda Isah for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) by Senator Kabiru Gaya
Senator Sadiq Umar, who stood in for Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on the confirmation of the nomination of Dr Mahmuda Isah for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Senator Uche Ekwunife seconded.
“Permit me to commend the Committee for conducting a thorough exercise in order to confirm this nominee. The report has clearly shown that the nominee takes a clean record. For this reason, I urge my colleagues without any delay to give the nod for the nominee to be confirmed.”- Senator Barau Jibrin
Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
The Nomination of Dr Mahmuda Isah was CONFIRMED as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
“Congratulations to him. We wish him the best of tenure.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan
BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
1. Federal Medical Centre Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1603) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Federal Medical Centre Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1603) was read the Second Time.
2. Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2023 (HB. 03) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2023 (HB. 03) was read the Second Time.
3. Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HBs. 250, 510 & 898) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HBs. 250, 510 & 898) was read the Second Time.
Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the three reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
i. Federal Medical Centre Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1603)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Federal Medical Centre Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1603). They approved Clauses 1-2 as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, and Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Federal Medical Centre Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 1603) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2023 (HB. 03)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2023 (HB. 03) and approved Clauses 1-6 as recommended Short and Long Titles as recommended, and Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2023 (HB. 03) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
iii. Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HBs. 250, 510 & 898)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HBs. 250, 510 & 898). They approved Clauses 1-5 as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, and Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HBs. 250, 510 & 898) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that the Plenary be adjourned till another legislative day.
Acting Minority Leader, Senator Betty Apiafi seconded.
The plenary was adjourned to Thursday, 2nd March 2023.
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
