Nigeria House of Representatives Wednesday Motions, Proceedings and Votes
House of Representatives Plenary.
Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, July 12th, 2023.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD) presiding.
After leading the opening prayer and recitation of the national pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, July 11th, 2023.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Amendment of the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act to source for funds necessary to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of the fuel subsidy regime on Nigerians. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressed assurance that the request will receive the usual cooperation from Parliament.
- Honorable members of the APC Northeast caucus are to meet at the Office of the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo at Office suite 4.11 by 3:30 pm.
- Honorable members from Sokoto state are to meet at Office Suite 1.48 immediately after plenary.
- The meeting of the Selection Committee of the House will now take place on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 after plenary.
- The meeting of the Ad-Hoc committee investigating the Cross Rivers territorial breach will take place at Office room 0.19.
- The Clerk to the National Assembly communicated that the National Assembly bureaucracy offers protocol services for members of the National Assembly through its seasoned and highly professional protocol staff in its office. Members can seek diplomatic arrangements, visa procurements, travel arrangements and other such issues through the Protocol Department of the National Assembly.
PETITIONS:
- Hon. Olumide Osoba laid a petition from a complainant that an overhead bridge that had not been duly completed by the contractor has become a hazard and life-threatening source of danger to those in the community in Ogun state.
- Hon. Julius Pondi laid a petition on behalf of some complainants on the neglect of their community by SPDC. He craved the intervention of the House to correct the anomaly.
Both petitions were referred to the House committee on Public Petitions when constituted.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE:
- Hon. Ogbara Kafilat from Lagos moved a motion on the ‘Need to Address the Destruction Due to Flooding in Some Communities in Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State,’ and it was seconded by Hon. Mike Etaba. Hon. Kafilat stated that property losses due to the devastating effects of the flooding are at an all time high which has also led to loss of socioeconomic manpower.
She berated the slow response by government to help the victims.
Hon. Kafilat also called on relevant agencies of government to ensure relief materials get to the affected and that the House Committee on Legislative Compliance should ensure compliance with the prayers of the motion. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committees on Environment and that on Legislative Compliance when constituted.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
- North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.58) (Hon. Aminu Balele) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Content (Non-Oil and Gas Sector) Development (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 59) (Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda and Eight Others) – First Reading.
- National Agency for Artisanal Petroleum Refining (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 60) (Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda and Eight Others) – First Reading.
- Council for Regulation of Legislative Counsel and Other Legislative Practitioners (Establishment), Bill 2023 (HB.61) (Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda and Eight Others) – First Reading.
- Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria Bill, 2023 (HB. 62) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Road Parking (Payment and Administration) Bill, 2023 (HB.63) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Federal Capital Territory Area Councils Audit Bill, 2023 (HB. 64) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Statutory Regulation of Peace Keeping Operations Bill, 2023. (HB.65) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Public Accounts Tribunal (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.66) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 68) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) Act (Alteration) Bill, 2023 (HB.69) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.70) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Fiscal Responsibility Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.71) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Federal Mortgage Bank Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 72) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.73) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Defence Academy Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.74) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Poverty Alleviation and Skill Acquisition Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.75) (Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo) – First Reading.
- Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.76) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- Companies and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.77) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.78) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) Act (Alteration) Bill, 2023 (HB. 79) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- National Ecological Fund Management Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.80) (Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo) – First Reading.
- Petroleum Equalization Fund Act (Repeal) Bill, 2023 (HB.81) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- Federal Lands registry Act, (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.82) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading
- Employee’s Compensation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.83) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.84) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- Local Industry (First Option) Patronage Bill, 2023 (HB.85) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- Resolutions of the National Assembly Compliance Bill, 2023 (HB.86) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- Niger Delta Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.87) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- National Programme on Immunization Act (Repeal) Bill, 2023 (HB.88) (Hon. Obi Aguocha) – First Reading.
- National Library of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.89) (Hon. Aminu Balele) – First Reading.
- Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.90) (Hon. Aminu Balele) – First Reading.
- Federal Medical Centers Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.91) (Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Usman Rurum) – First Reading.
- Federal Polytechnic Rano, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.92) (Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Usman Rurum) – First Reading.
ORDERS OF THE DAY:
MOTIONS:
- Need to Investigate Alleged Fictitious Contract Awards, Gross Mismanagement of Billions of Naira and Lopsided Placement of Directors by the Nigerian Mạritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Hon. O. K. Chinda, Hon. Victor Ogbuzor Hon. Cyril Hart
Hon. Manu Soro, Hon. Manuchim Onwuzuirike.
The House:
Notes the recent developments in the award of questionable and phoney contracts, fraudulent forex transactions, lopsided placement of Directors and other unwholesome and corrupt practices in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA);
Also notes that there have been several allegations of questionable, inflated and fictitious contract awards particularly for non-operational speed boats, security surveillance contracts and Deep Blue Water Contract, revenue leakages and the award of contracts to cronies of the Director-General and other top management staff of the agency;
Concerned about alleged under-remittance of debts owed the country by Shipping firms, with the consent and connivance of the agency;
Aware that the agency is alleged to have entered into a very dubious contract with a firm known as XPO Marine Limited’ for the lease of six (6) speed boats, each at the rate of $173,930.00 monthly, without a Need Assessment for such facility being carried out by the relevant departments of the agency, the said XPO Marine Limited had earlier been indicted for defrauding the agency to the tune of $80,000 in revenue;
Also aware that the security surveillance contract called Deep Blue Water Contract’ is suspected to be a conduit by the management of the agency to pilfer funds. A security contract tagged National Integrated Surveillance and Waterways Protection’ is also said to have been awarded to an Israeli firm, HSLI Systems and Technologies Limited at the cost of $195,300,000.00, despite an existing facility, which is a simple internet subscription via Lloyds Intelligence Platform for such operations;
Cognizant of the fact that the agency is also said to have an existing surveillance system (called Lloyd’s List Intelligence) for tracking the movement of vessels on Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ);
Also cognizant of the fact that there is evidence that the agency’s legal department counseled against the consummation of the contract on grounds of some fraudulent claims in the agreement, but same was not heeded to. The facilities claimed by HSLI is said to be an existing surveillance infrastructure provided by KMBTS Limited, also an lsraeli firm whose contract with the agency at the instance of the agency’s former DG had long expired;
Further aware of other allegations such as abuse of office and lopsided appointment and placement of Directors of the Agency in favour of some interests to the detriment of others and in breach of S. 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as other unwholesome practices within the Agency;
Again aware of allegations of high level corruption against the DG and top management of the agency in the form of withholding of remittable revenue by Gas Shipping Nigeria Limited, Daddo Marine Limited, Blue Seas Marine Services, Transocean Support Services Limited, leading to loss of huge revenue to the Federal government. Others are the award of contracts to the DG’s cronies and other top management staff of the agency in clear violation of the Procurement Act and other Financial Regulations. Such companies include COT Engineering Limited, Well Mann Construction Company Limited, Retin Technical and Commercial Service Limited, Messrs. De-PK Ventures Limited, amongst others;
Further aware of alleged cases of round-tripping and under declaration of foreign exchange earnings from the agency’s foreign Accounts;
Concerned that these allegations are of grave nature to be swept under the carpet or dismissed with a wave of the hand, particularly as it relates to economic losses on the part of the government;
Cognizant of the need to urgently investigate the allegations and unless and until this is done, the Federal government would continue to lose huge sums of money to an unconscionable and fraudulent cabal who are hell bent on sucking the country dry;
Resolves to:
Set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the allegations and report back within three (3) month(s) for further legislative action.
Debate:
Hon. Kingsley Chinda moved the motion on the need to investigate the alleged fictitious contract awards, gross mismanagement of billions of Naira and lopsided placement of Directors by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) and it was seconded by Hon. Esset Udo. The Speaker however called for an amendment reducing the timeline to four (4) weeks, which would be subject to extension if the need arises. The mover (Hon. Chinda therefore concurred to the suggestion and amended the timeline to four (4) weeks. The motion was voted on and adopted as amended, and will be referred to an Ad-Hoc committee in due course.
- Need to Re-Establish and Adequately Fund the practical and Professional Teaching of Artisanship and Vocational Training in Federal Government Colleges Across the Country.
Hon. Awwalu Abdu Gwalabe:
The House:
Notes that section 3 paragraph 38(2.5) of the National Policy on Education, 2013 outlined the curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools among which is the Trade and Entrepreneurship subject;
Also note that Section 4(a) of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council Act, 2004 mandate the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to promote the development of curricula at all levels of educational system. In actualizing this mandate, it is saddled with the following objectives:
(a) Basic and senior secondary education curricula,
(b) Trade and entrepreneurship curriculum;
Also notes the objective of senior secondary schools in Nigeria is to provide universal and equal access to quality secondary education that will ensure self-reliance, preparedness for further education, good citizenship and effective participation in democratic governance and teacher quality;
Aware that the society in recent times had been plagued with the menace of terrorism, kidnappings, political thuggery, drug abuse and trafficking, stealing, early marriages and numerous immoralities. These are often seen in frustrated unemployed youths and out of school children;
Also aware that in the past years when trade subjects and artisanship were adequately funded and professionally thought in senior secondary schools, youths hardly indulged in these social vices because they were trained to be self-reliant and handy with trades and vocational studies;
Worried that the non-revival and adequate funding of the practical and professional teaching of artisanship and vocationalism in senior secondary schools will set the aforementioned menaces on the increase;
Further aware that the revival and adequate funding of trade and entrepreneurship subjects in senior secondary schools will reduce the menaces caused by incidences of out of school children;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Federal Ministry of Education to revise and adequately fund the curriculum for the development and the teaching of artisanship and vocationalism in senior secondary schools as well as other subjects;
(ii) also urge the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to in conjunction with the Secondary Schools Education Board of the Federal Ministry of Education to monitor the evaluation and implementation of the trade and entrepreneurship curriculum and also employ professionals in the various fields of trade and entrepreneurship in our secondary schools;
(iii) further urge State Governments to adequately fund the proper teaching of Trade and artisanship in their senior secondary schools;
(iv) mandate the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
Debate:
Hon. Awwualu Gwalabe moved the motion on the need for the federal government to re-establish and adequately fund the practical and professional teaching of artisanship and vocational training in Federal Government Colleges across the country and it was seconded by Hon. Aliyu Abubakar. Hon. Bamidele Salam proposed an amendment to prayer 4 of the motion to mandate the House Committee on Basic education to ensure implementation, which is the right Committee to ensure compliance at that level.
Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere proposed a further amendment to amend the title of the motion as it conflicts with prayer 3 of the motion (reference to Federal and State Governments). The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House committee on Basic Education when constituted.
- Establishment of Urban Mass Transit in Nigeria to Cushion the Effects of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Nigerians.
Hon. Ginger Obina Onwusibe:
The House:
Notes the negative impacts of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians with its attendant difficulties;
Aware that the removal of fuel subsidy has brought untold hardship on Nigerians with the unprecedented rise in transportation costs, which has had a detrimental effect on the standard of living of Nigerians in general;
Recognizes that an effective urban mass transit system would offer reasonably priced, dependable, and eco-friendly transportation options, lessening the burden on those affected by the removal of fuel subsidies;
Observes that a system like that would improve mobility, ease traffic, and boost economic production in the country’s metropolitan areas;
Convinced that the system, if well managed, will not only ensure affordable and reliable transportation system but will also impact positively on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Government to establish and extend an integrated urban mass transit system, and invest in infrastructure, technology, and environmentally friendly forms of transportation to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy;
(ii)Mandate the Committee on Land Transport (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
Motion stepped down by leave of the House.
- Need to Declare an Emergency on the Stretch of Naka-Makudi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade –Otukpo Federal Road Network of Benue State.
Hon. Austin Asema Achado:
The House:
Notes the role of the State in providing and maintaining adequate and unhindered federal roads, to encourage free movement of people, goods and services, not only for facilitating industrial interaction and linkages across the nation, but essentially for ensuring the security of road users and the entire citizenry. This is why great emphasis is laid on the construction of federal roads to link the states of the Federation;
Aware that the Naka-Makurdi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo Federal Road Network constitute the major road axis linking the North East and the North Central regions of the nation to the South-South and the South East through Benue State, the food basket and agricultural belt of the nation;
Also aware that the condition of the federal road network has become an albatross and a huge embarrassment to the farming communities, other strategic users and commuters that transit goods through Benue State;
Concerned that this strategic road axis has become so dilapidated that it is now tagged death-trap and security threat to all contiguous citizens that uses the road for transportation of grains and yams from Benue State to the Southern and Northern States of the Nation, not only reducing these commercial activities as a result of high rate of a ccidents on the road and loss of man hours, but drastically increasing activities of criminals, armed robbery and kidnapping, which have become more frequent due to the poor condition of the road;
Also concerned that the acute neglect of the road network has been ignored for so long despite the havoc it wrecks on the nation’s food security, especially at this moment of increasing economic pressure on the rural population, further fueled by the growing cost of transportation, arising from recent fuel subsidy removal, thus making it imperative to urgently address the menace of the Naka-Makurdi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo Federal Road Network;
Convinced that an emergency intervention to restore the Naka-Makurdi- Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo Federal Road Network, has both security and economic implications that should be immediately addressed.
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to declare an emergency on the Naka-Makurdi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo Federal Road Network and direct the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to immediately commence restorative work on that road axis, as a security and strategic economic imperative;
(ii) also urge the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that adequate budgetary provision is made in the 2024 budget to comprehensively address the restoration of the deteriorating Naka-Makurdi-Aliade- Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo Federal Road Network, to restore the social and economic viability of the road network;
(iii) mandate the Committee on Works (when constituted to ensure implementation.
Debate:
Hon. Austin Achado moved the motion on the need to declare an emergency on the stretch of Naka-Makurdi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo federal road network of Benue state and it was seconded by Hon. Philip Agbese. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Works when constituted.
- Need to Investigate the Electricity Blackout in Irele, Okitipupa, Ese Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
Hon. Odimayo Okunjimi John:
The House:
Notes that the primary responsibility of every government is to create a conducive atmosphere that will enable its citizens to carry out their social and economic activities in their respective fields of endeavours with little or no hindrance;
Aware that since 2014 most communities in Irele Local Government Areas, such as Ode¬lrele, Ode-Ajaja, Akotogbo, lyesa, Ujusun, Ormi, Aturase, and Udogun and others in Okitipupa Local Government Area, namely, lgbotako, llutitun, lkoya, Ayeka, lgbodigu, lrinje, lgundan, ldobilayo, and Big road area of Okitipupa, and most communities in Ese¬Edo and llaje Local government area of Ondo State have been thrown into darkness, by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company. (BEDC);
Concerned that the action by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has brought untold hardships and misery to the citizens of these local government areas, as all Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in these areas have folded up or collapsed due to lack of electricity supply and the high cost of providing alternative power supply with generator have crippled the businesses of those who tried to brave the odds by using generators to power their activities;
Also concerned that children born fifteen years ago to date in these Communities do not know what public power supply is all about as they have never witnessed any form of electricity supply, thereby creating the erroneous impression and belief that the only means of power supply is either from local lamps, touches, candles and generators;
Disturbed that life in these Local Government Areas is presently economically and socially dead as all major industries situated in the areas have either relocated to other areas that are conducive to their operations, while those who tried to manage the situation such as the Oluwa glass Industry, Okitipupa Oil Palm Mill and NTA Channel 26 to name but a few have all collapsed, thereby making life very difficult, hellish and uninteresting for indigenes of these areas;
Further disturbed that this has led to a massive loss of jobs for the locals, as it has adversely affected foreign exchange earnings by the Okitipupa oil mill, which is a major producer and exporter of Palm oil and its allied products in the area, the Ondo State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa, which is a major hub for most of the private businesses around the town is also caught in this web of protracted darkness as it is costing the institution so much of her scarce resources to provide power for its operations. Suffice it to say that the obvious consequences are that all small businesses and enterprises within the institution have either folded up or are struggling to survive and academic activities are seriously hindered as no meaningful learning and research work can be optimally done in such a depressive environment without light;
Worried that with the above horrible situation prevailing in the area due to lack of public power supply, the people especially youths in the area are left jobless and this has led to many of them migrating to surrounding towns and cities in search of economic prosperity, while some take to crimes and unwholesome activities, as “an idle mind they say is the devil workshop;
Resolves to:
(i) mandate the Committee on Power (when constituted) to invite:
(a) General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to explain the reason for the electricity blackout in the communities of Irele, Okitipupa, Ese-Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas for the past 14 years;
(b) invite Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to explain why Irele, Okitipupa, Ese Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas were disconnected from the national grid and direct that they be reconnected back to it;
(c) to liaise with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission on the quick reconnection of these Local Government Areas to public power supply while resolving any possible dispute that may arise or have arisen between the communities and the service provider; and report back within eight weeks for further legislative action.
Debate:
Hon. Odimayo John moved the motion on the need to investigate the electricity blackout in Irele, Okitipupa, Ese Odo and Ilaje local government areas of Ondo state and it was seconded by Hon. Rabiu Yusuf. Hon. Dominic Okafor proposed an amendment to prayer 3 to correct the spelling of the electricity regulatory commission and to reduce the timeframe from 8 weeks to 4 weeks. The motion was voted on, adoptedas amended, and referred to the House committee on Power when constituted.
- Call for an End to Killings, Banditry, Kidnappings and Cattle Rustling in Tangaza/Gudu Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.
Hon. Sani Alhaji Yakubu:
The House:
Notes that on 1st July, 2023 Bandits attacked three (3) Communities namely Raka, Raka Dutse and Filingawa in Tangaza Local Government killing forty five (45) people while some sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatments at the General Hospital Gwadabawa, livestocks rustled, shops looted, houses and storage facilities burnt down;
Also notes that the attack was not unconnected with the communities’ refusal to succumb to bandit’s imposition of levies and purported laws announced by the criminals;
Aware that the constituency is surrounded by two (2) forests, the “Tsauna Forest” that stretches over to Gwadabawa, Illela and Niger Republic and “Kuyan Bana Forest” that stretches to Gudu and Niger Republic;
Worried that the two (2) forests houses two (2) terrorist groups, the Lakurawa who claimed to be jihadists from Niger, Mali and Libya and the local Bandits terrorising the area. The two (2) used to be sworn enemies but have now joined forces, making it more difficult for the deployed security operatives to address the insecurity in the general area;
Disturbed that after the deadly act, the terrorist launched another attack to prevent people from giving their loved ones befitting burial;
Cognizant that the people of the area are predominantly farmers and cattle rearrers and terrorists have vowed to stop this year’s farming activities if the communities refuse to pay tax. If this treath is allowed it will seriously affect the national food security if adequate measures are not put in place;
Resolves to:
(i) Observe a minute silence in honour of the victims who lost their lives;
(ii) urge the military to deploy more personnel and hardwares to comb the Forests to flush out criminals;
(iii) also urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims of the unfortunate attack;
(iv) mandate the Committees on Defence, Army, Airforce, Police Affairs and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
Debate:
Hon. Sani Yakubu moved the motion on the call for an end to killings, banditry, kidnappings and cattle rustling in Tangaza/Gudu federal constituency of Sokoto state and it was seconded by Hon. Adamu Wakili. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Army, Police Affairs, Airforce, as well as that on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness when constituted.
- Need to Investigate Crude Oil Theft and Loss of Revenue Accrued from the Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria.
Hon. Philip Agbese:
The House:
Notes that in recent times, the media has been replete with news on the loss of trillions of Naira as a result of crude oil theft and loss of revenue from Oil and Gas exploration in the country;
Also notes that according to reports, about 40 percent of crude oil loss is due to inaccuracies in measurement, and theft as metering errors continue to occur as a result of poor maintenance of metering facilities, thus resulting to lack of transparency in hydrocarbon accounting;
Concerned about reports which revealed that in 2021 alone, Nigeria lost $4 billion to oil theft at the rate of 200,000 barrels per day, and the figures have risen since then;
Also concerned that security agencies of the Federal Government are allegedly complicit and largely responsible for facilitating most of the oil theft in the Niger Delta;
Further concerned that the Nigerian military has been accused several times of being behind 99 percent of oil theft and despite promises to conduct proper investigations, no substantial action has been taken by the Federal Government to address the matters raised;
Disturbed about a 2022 report by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative ( NEITI) that about 619.7 million barrels of crude oil , valued at $46.16billion have been stolen in the last 12 years, while stakeholders have often described crude oil theft in the country as an organized crime perpetrated by the Nigerian elite;
Also disturbed that in spite of the huge funds appropriated to adequately equip Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies, their performance in terms of curbing oil theft has been abysmal;
Further disturbed that despite the enormous resources at the disposal of the NNPC Ltd and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), they have, in active connivance with national and multinational oil and gas companies, allegedly continued to sabotage every effort to ensure an effective running of metering facilities at the well heads, flow stations, loading platforms;
Worried that if crude oil theft is allowed to go on unhindered, it will result in, not only devastating consequences to the country’s economy, but it will also gravely impact the environment, health and social life of the host communities;
Determined to reform the oil and gas sector and ensure that crude oil theft is effectively curbed in order to arrest the attendant huge losses to the economy.
Resolves to:
Constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate crude oil theft in Nigeria with a view to curbing economic loss to the country and ensuring that everyone complicit in the theft is brought to book, and report back within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.
Debate:
Hon. Philip Agbese moved the motion on the need to investigate crude oil theft and loss of revenue accrued from the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and it was seconded by Hon. Blessing Onuh. Hon. Emeka Obiajulu proposed an amendment to the prayer to read that the investigation should be carried out within 4 weeks for further legislative action. The amendment was carried and the motion was voted on, adopted as amended and will be referred to an Ad-Hoc committee in due course.
- Call to Rehabilitate Owo/Ifon/Benin Federal Road in Ondo State.
Hon. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe:
The House:
Notes that the Owo/Ifon/Benin Federal Road serves as the fastest route linking Ondo and Edo States, as well as a gateway to the Eastern part of the Country;
Also notes that the road has been in a deplorable condition for 2 decades, thus subjecting Commuters, Farmers and traders to perpetual hardship over the years;
Aware that motorists, commuters and heavy duties vehicles convening agricultural produces, goods and services have been hampered from carrying out their legitimate business due to the worsened condition of the road;
Disturbed that the road is negatively impacting on the social economic activities of the state, thus, causing avoidable losses of valuable lives and properties;
Concerned that the bad state of the road is aiding criminal activities, as bandit now utilizes the road as a trap to kidnap helpless travellers, with loss of life recorded due to this carnage;
Cognizant that continued neglect of the road is having adverse effects on revenue generation efforts of the government, and if urgent steps are not taken to rehabilitate the road, it will ultimately lead to continuous loss of lives, significant loss of revenue to both the state and Federal Government;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to undertake extensive rehabilitation and repairs of the Owo/lfon/Benin Federal Road;
(ii) mandate the Committees on Works, FERMA and Special Duties (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
Debate:
Hon. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe moved the motion on the call to rehabilitate Owo/Ifon/Benin federal road in Ondo state, and it was seconded by Hon. Garba Inuwa. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Works, Federal Road Maintenance Authority, as well as that on Special Duties when constituted.
- Need to Increase Maritime Security Personnel in Coastal Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
Hon. Uduak A. Odudoh:
The House:
Notes that Maritime Security and other related issues are captured in the Exclusive Legislative list and provided for under the Second Schedule of Part 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended);
Also notes that coastal Areas in Akwa Ibom State include Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Ibeno, Mbo, Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Areas, with waterways of Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas among others, and are interconnected with other communities in the Niger Delta including Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of Rivers State;
Further notes that the residents of the aforementioned areas are predominantly farmers and engage mainly in fishing along the waterways in their communities;
Aware of the encompassing opportunities in the maritime industry, prompting the need to safeguard the country’s waterways from the nefarious activities of pirates;
Also aware that the activities of pirates and their involvements in organized crimes are a threat to national security and economic activities;
Concerned that due to incessant attacks by pirates, residents of the coastal areas in Akwa Ibom State are living in perpetual fear even as economic activities in the affected communities have been hampered and their sources of livelihood severely threatened;
Also concerned that the fishermen in the affected areas who are insistent on exploring the Atlantic ocean are forced to pay royalties to pirates before they are allowed to engage in their activities on the waters as failure to pay the levies puts them at risk of getting killed or having their boats, equipment and other valuables stolen or vandalized;
Worried that as a result of recurring attacks at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area by armed robbers whose escape route is through the waterways, several financial institutions in the area have shut down, forcing the people to go long distances to carry out banking transactions;
Also worried that the insecurity in the coastal areas have deprived the people of investment opportunities that could have brought about development in their communities;
Further worried that maritime security personnel deployed to the affected areas are inadequate and under-equipped to effectively engage in combat against the pirates who are heavily armed with sophisticated ammunition;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the security agencies of the Federal Government to deploy more maritime security personnel and adequately equip them to secure the coastal areas in Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta in general;
(ii) also urge the security agencies to provide incentives for deployed maritime security personnel in order to motivate and encourage them to uphold their agencies rule of engagement;
(iii) mandate the Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration to ensure compliance.
Debate:
Hon. Uduak Odudoh moved the motion on the need to increase maritime security personnel in coastal areas of Akwa Ibom state, and it was seconded by Hon. Bassey. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration when constituted.
- Need to Construction of Etomi, Agbokim waterfalls Road.
Hon. Michael Etaba:
The House:
Notes that the Agbokim Waterfalls also known as Emi Agbokim Water Falls is situated in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, and very close to the border with Cameroon;
Also notes that Agbokim Waterfalls is a tourist site, is as old as the communities and has always been a beauty to behold by tourism;
Further notes that the waterfalls had attracted tourists in the past, but unfortunately, today, it is now living in its past glory;
Aware that the importance of tourist sites of a nation cannot be overemphasized being the heritage of the people, the pride and beauty of the nation;
Also aware that in 2022, the Indian tourism industry’s potential contributed over $15.9 trillion to the country’s economic development in addition to the millions of jobs the sector created;
Further aware that Agbokinm Waterfalls if properly harnessed will create many jobs, impact positively on the local economy, lead to infrastructural development, conserve the natural environment, contribute to foreign currency generation, and above all, help in poverty reduction;
Worried that despite the economic potential of the waterfall, the access road to it which is Etomi Agbokim Waterfall road is nothing but a death trap;
Also worried that the site is losing so much money and job opportunities for the youths because of low patronage occasioned by a very poor access road;
Disturbed that poor road network has always been the bane of development in the tourism sector and has rendered many tourism sites moribund;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to urgently include the construction of the access road to Agbokim Waterfalls to realize the potential of the Agbokim Waterwalls;
(ii) also urge the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to include the construction of the road to Etomi Agbokim Waterfalls Road in the 2024 budget estimates;
(iii) mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance (when constituted) to ensure compliance.
Debate:
Hon. Michael Etaba moved the motion on the need for the construction of Etomi Agbokim waterfalls’ road and it was seconded by Hon. Regina Akume. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Culture, Tourism, Works and that on Legislative Compliance when constituted.
- Need to Investigate the Gruesome Murder of Nigerians by Nigerian Soldiers in Enugu.
Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha:
The House:
Notes that on 29 June 2023 licensed local vigilantes operating under the Enugu State Neighbourhood Security Guards while responding to a distress call on banditry and kidnapping, were shot dead at close range with passers-by, by soldiers of the Nigerian Army 82 Division Enugu at Eke in Udi Local Government of Enugu State, with the soldiers claiming that the victims were the actual kidnappers even when the vigilantes were on their traditional security uniforms and also showed their identification Cards;
Also notes that apart from those who died on the spot, a lot of vigilantes and some defenseless civilians are still lying critically ill at the hospitals as a result of the attacks;
Worried that the existence of the Local Security outfits established primarily to complement the military and paramilitary and checkmate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in the State and also the constant interactions between two security outfits for maximum cooperation, the Nigerian soldiers without any provocation decided to waste the lives of innocent Nigerians even when due and proper identifications has taken place;
Concerned that a series of banditry, killings and kidnappings have been going on in the State, especially along the highways where conventional security outfits like the police and the military are always stationed and most of the kidnapped victims are always freed after heavy sums of money has been paid while some end up with fatal injuries or dies after being beaten and shot for not paying the ransoms;
Also concerned that a lot of indigenes of Enugu State are now under the belief that the Nigerian regular security outfits especially the military are allegedly aiding and abetting kidnapping in the State for pecuniary gains thereby going against the oath they took to protect lives and properties of Nigerians in Nigeria;
Aware that the Enugu State government although the military and paramilitary outfits in the State are not under its control and therefore not bound to take care of them, always provide adequate support in cash and in-kind to compliment the efforts of the federal government in combating criminality and ensuring the protection of lives and properties;
Resolves to:
(i) set up an Ad – hoc Committee to investigate the Gruesome Murder of Nigerians by Nigerian Soldiers in Enugu and punish those found culpable and prevent such barbaric wanton acts;
(ii) urge the Federal Government to overhaul the security architecture of the entire State in line with the new federal government posture and determination to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties as guaranteed by Law;
(iii) also urge the Federal Government to compensate the families of those that lost their lives in this unfortunate incident and take care of those that have been injured as well as their hospital expenditures;
(iv) further urge the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and assistance for the victims of the gunshots.
Debate:
Hon. Sunday Umeha moved the motion on the need to investigate the gruesome murder of Nigerians by Nigerian soldiers in Enugu state, and it was seconded by Hon. Blessing Onuh. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Army, as well as that on National Emergency Management Agency when constituted.
- Need for Government to Address the Death of a Pregnant Woman at the State Owned Hospital at Dalhatu: Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State (A Death Too Many).
Hon. Adedayo Adesola Samuel:
The House:
Notes that health care services encompass assisting pregnant women with all it requires to have a safe delivery;
Also notes that to avoid cases of maternal mortality, facilities are put in place to achieve safe health delivery;
Aware that on 5 July 2023 a pregnant woman at the Nasarawa State-owned Hospital, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia lost her life in the process of delivery;
Also aware that the woman was booked for a caesarean operation, but it could not hold due to a five-day warning strike embarked upon by Resident Doctors in the State;
Disturbed that it has become a common reoccurrence in Nigeria where pregnant women die due to negligence of Doctors or some extraneous circumstances;
Recalls the phenomenon of brain drain where medical Doctors leave Nigeria in search of greener pastures which are attributed to a few factors, among which are:
(a) poor remuneration,
(b) Medical Residency Training Fund and
(c) Relaxing the process of filling the gap of Doctors that left Nigeria for greener pastures;
Also recalls that CONMESS and CONHESS salary structure for Doctors and other health workers was introduced in 2009 and agreed to be reviewed every 5 years. The first review which ought to have taken place in 2014 was not done and to date;
Cognizant that the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) gave the Federal Government 2 weeks ultimatum to increase their salaries and pay the Medical Residency Training Fund, failure of which it will embark on an indefinite strike nationwide;
Also cognizant that the Medical Residency fund is yet to be accessed despite government promise to release the fund and more worrisome is the absence of a Minister in the Federal Ministry of Health, which calls for intervention of the President;
Resolves to:
Set up an Ad- hoc committee to:
(i) interface with the leadership of the Resident Doctors and the practitioners in the Medical field to ascertain the reason(s) for the death of a pregnant woman in Dalhatu Specialist Hospital Lafia;
(ii) visit Nasarawa State and interface with the leadership of the Resident Doctors to avert any intended strike by Resident Doctors in the state;
(iii) engage the National leadership of the Resident Doctors to ascertain the cause(s) of the incessant strikes of the medical practitioners as well as broker peace to avert the planned strike action by medical practitioners;
(iv) provide short and long-term solutions to prevent future occurrence, and report back within three (3) weeks for further legislative actions.;
(v) seek a Presidential Order for the release of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF);
(vi) want the executive to implement the resolutions of the conciliatory meeting held during their last industrial action;
(vii) review the report of the last administration’s presidential health sector reforms and set the machinery in motion to implement it;
(viii) interface with the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors to avert the planned strike billed for the 17th of July 2023.
Debate:
Hon. Adedayo Samuel moved the motion on the urgent need for government to address the death a of pregnant woman at the state owned hospital at Dalhatu: Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa state, and it was seconded by Hon. Okere Chinedu. Hon. Anka proposed an amendment to merge prayers 2-4 into one single prayer as they are all interrelated. His amendment was carried, and the motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to an Ad-Hoc committee to be duly constituted.
- Need for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination Result to be valid for three years.
Hon. Akintunde Rotimi:
The House:
Notes that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a Nigerian tertiary education admissions test body. The board administers the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, which is required for admission into Nigerian higher institutions of learning;
Also notes that on February 13, 1978, the Federal Military Government published decree No. 2 of 1978, which established the Board, the Federal Executive Council Revised Decree No.2 of 1978 by August 1988, the revisions was later formalised in Decree No. 33 of 1989, which came into force on December 1, 1989. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board was authorised by Decree No.2 of 1978 (as amended by Decree No. 33 of 1989) to:
(a)hold a matriculation test for admission to all Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education;
(b) appoint Examiners, Moderators, Invigilators, members of Subject Panels and Committees, and other individuals in connection with matriculation examinations and any other things ancillary thereto;
(c)put adequately competent applicants in tertiary institutions after considering: (i) the vacancies available in each tertiary institution; among other things.
Aware that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board conducts an examination every year for intending undergraduates at a fee paid by the parent or by the candidates themselves;
Also aware that the West African Examination Council (WAEC), and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations results which are a precursor to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board tests are valid Indefinitely;
Concerned that the JAMB examination result is valid for only one year and if candidates cannot secure admission into any tertiary institution of their choice in the academic year the exam was taken, the result no matter how good becomes useless;
Also concerned that despite the incessant strikes embarked upon by ASUU which led to the loss of a complete academic calendar, JAMB still went ahead to administer its examination without recourse to the vailing industrial action by ASUU;
Worried by the backlog of candidates waiting for admission into the limited vacancies in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and its attendant pressure on the education system and parents;
Also worried about the double jeopardy suffered by parents who are forced to enroll their wards yearly for the examination;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to rethink and allow its result to be valid for at least 3 (three) year and conduct the entry exams at least twice annually;
(ii) also urge the Federal Minister of Education to put mechanisms in place to ensure that this resolutions executed.
Debate:
Hon. Akintunde Rotimi moved a motion on the need for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result to be valid for three years and it was seconded by Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba. Hon. Olumide Osoba proposed an amendment to prayer 2 asking for an Ad-Hoc committee to ensure the resolutions of the motion is achieved. His amendment was carried, and the motion was voted on, adopted and referred to an Ad-Hoc committee that will be duly constituted.
- Need to Intervene in the Protest of the Nigeria Female Football Team and the Plan to Boycott the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Hon. Olumide Osoba:
The House:
Notes that the Nigeria Female Football team, also known currently facing significant challenges and unrest within the team, which threatens to disrupt their participation in the upcoming Women’s World Cup;
Concerned about the potential embarrassment and negative impact on Nigeria’s reputation if the planned protest and boycott process without intervention, as witnessed in previous incidents involving the Nigerian women’s basketball team;
Also notes the historical instances of non-payment of salaries, allowances, and bonuses, as well as the arbitrary dismissal of players within the Nigerian women’s sports teams. E.g. the revelations surrounding the Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress, as depicted in a video that had gained widespread attention, the video highlighted several alarming issues, including unpaid wages, dismissals, and interference in team selection by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), this situation was not only embarrassing but also raises serious questions about the treatment of athletes and the overall management of sports in our country;
Acknowledges the recent reports regarding the ongoing dispute between the Super Falcons and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid match bonuses and inadequate support for the team’s preparation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup;
Aware that the Super Falcons have threatened to boycott their opening game on July 21, resulting in potential embarrassment for the government and jeopardizing Nigeria’s participation in the tournament;
Further acknowledges the commitment and dedication of our athletes who have represented Nigeria with honour and achieved remarkable success in international competitions. However, it is disheartening to witness the neglect and mistreatment they have endured, which undermines their morale and tarnishes our nation’s reputation;
Resolves to:
(i) set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the dispute between the Super Falcons and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and propose necessary reforms to prevent the planned protest and boycott of the Nigeria Female Football team at the Women’s World Cup also to prevent future occurrences;
(iii) urge the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay match bonuses and allowances to the Super Falcons;
(iv) invite the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and relevant stakeholders to appear before the Ad-hoc Committee to provide a detailed report on the steps taken to resolve the dispute and ensure the smooth participation of the Super Falcons in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Debate:
Hon. Olumide Osoba moved the motion on the need to intervene in the protest of the Nigerian female football team and the planned to boycott the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and it was seconded by Hon. Sani Lawal. Hon. Osikama Andy proposed an amendment to call on the House to immediately constitute the Ad-Hoc committee to liaise with the football authorities immediately as the Women’s World Cup is scheduled to hold pretty soon. His amendment was carried, and the motion was voted on, adopted as amended, and will be referred to the Ad-Hoc committee when constituted.
Adjournment:
The House at 13:27 PM adjourned plenary to Thursday, July 13th, 2023 by 11:00 AM, following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki.
Updated by LightRay Media, Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
Comments