Plenary proceedings House of Representatives, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
After leading the opening prayer and recitation of the national pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.
- ANNOUNCEMENT:
Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka is to replace the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere as the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the restructuring of Federal Agencies and Commissions and Hon. Amos Magaji is to serve as the Deputy Chairman.
- PETITIONS:
Hon. Hussaini Jalo laid a petition on behalf of a complainant for compensation as an alleged disenfranchised casual staff of the NNPC Ltd. on the alleged refusal to pay him his financial entitlements.
Hon. Philip Agbese laid a petition on behalf of The Center for Social Justice and Transparency for the need to recover alleged stolen funds in US Dollars by an Oil company operating in Nigeria.
Hon. Terseer Ugboh laid a petition on behalf of some complainants on the alleged non-payment of their due remunerations for duly supplied agro-based products to the Nigerian government.
All petitions were referred to the House committee on Public Petitions.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE:
- Hon. Martins Oke moved a motion on the urgent need to beef up security in communities of Enugu State and it was seconded by Hon. Mansur Soro. Hon. Martins in leading the debate stated that a group of gunmen attacked the said communities unprovoked and it led to the gruesome murder of scores of individuals. He called on the National Emergency Management Agency to come to the aid of the displaced individuals and that the relevant security agencies should mobilize personnel to beef up security in the region and that the relevant committees of the House should ensure compliance. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs.
- Hon. Felix Uche moved a motion on the need to address the recent fire outbreak as a result of a petrol tanker explosion in Rivers State and it was seconded by Hon. Blessing Amadi. Hon. Felix in leading the debate stressed that the dilapidated state of the critical road where the incident happened played a major role in the occurrence of the mishap. This he stated is despite the fact that RCC has been rehabilitating the road, but has been slow in delivery and has not made an alternative by-pass for easy commuting. He called on the House to mandate RCC to ensure an alternative route for easy commuting while construction is on-going and complete the job in due time. Hon. Uche also called on the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure the job is speedily completed and that the House Committee on Works should ensure compliance. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Works.
- Hon. Amos Daniel moved a motion on the need to address the killings of Nigerians in a community of Kaduna State and it was seconded by Hon. Ojuawo Adeniyi. Hon. Amos in leading the debate stated that the very peaceful community was attacked by unknown gunmen on motorcycles and killed about 6 individuals while injuring scores more. He stated that the youth of the community summoned courage and were able to apprehend the assailants.
He stressed that the attack has left members of the communities jolted and are calling for security support. He called on the the relevant security agencies to ensure personnel are deployed to the community to secure their lives and properties. Hon. Amos further called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as well as the National Emergency Management Agency to supply relief materials to members of the affected community. He asked the relevant Committees of the House to ensure compliance. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Police, Army, as well as that on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
- Hon. Ginger Onwusibe moved a motion on the need to address the tragic death of a Nigerian: Mr. Richard and it was seconded by Hon. Babajimi Benson. Hon. Ginger in leading the debate stated that late Mr. Richard was a loyal civil servant in Abia state and lost his life due to brutal torture in the hands of 5 Naval officers. He stated that this act violated the fundamental human rights of the deceased, it’s an act of breach of law and tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Navy. He stated that this act demands justice to ensure it doesn’t happen again and that the Nigerian Navy should conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the event with a view to bring the culprits to book. Hon. Ginger called on the relevant Committees of the House to ensure compliance.
Hon. Kingsley Chinda in contributing to the debate expressed concern that all the motions on the floor of the House bordered on lack of security and the current one shows the inappropriate attitude by Navy Personnel. He called for a deeper investigation by the House itself. He also called on the House to look at all resolutions on insecurity matters and ensure their due enforcement in order to bring relief to the affected communities in Nigeria.
Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka also contributing to the debate proposed an amendment to refer the matter to the House Committee on Navy for the due investigation and further legislative action.
Hon. Ahmed Jaha also contributed and called for international help from advanced nations if necessary to combat the insecurity situation once and for all. He stated that the use of competent international mercenaries should be locked into. The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House Committee on Navy.
- PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Hon. Dominic Okafor rose on the order of personal explanation on the need to sensitize newly elected Honourable Members to be well aquatinted with facilities of the new chambers and the exit points, as well as other critical aspects. The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, stated that the House Services Committee will do that soon. He reminded Honourable Members that the chamber is still a work in progress.
Hon. Obi also rose to commend the House for the newly renovated chamber and called for the speedy fitting of more microphones on their allotted seats.
Hon. Patrick Umoh also rose to stress that as the Chairman, House Committee on Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation of the Legislative Agenda, the Committee had called on standing Committees of the House to forward their reports but as at the present moment, only 2 Committees have turned in their reports leaving about 135 Committees yet to comply. The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, called on the remaining Committees to please comply to ensure the House is updated.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
- Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1218) (Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1219) (Hon. Aminu Jamo Daura) – First Reading.
- Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1220) (Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu) – First Reading.
- Insurance Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1221) (Hon. Chike John Okafor) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1222) (Hon. Kelechi Nwogu) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Education Research and Development Council Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1224) (Hon. Daniel Asama Ago) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Shippers Council Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1225) (Hon. Oluwole Oke) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1226) (Hon. Chike John Okafor) – First Reading.
- Federal Colleges of Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1228) (Hon. Chike Okafor) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1229) (Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1230) (Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori) – First Reading.
- Border Communities Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1232) (Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi) – First Reading.
- Child’ Rights Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1294) (Hon. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1295) (Hon. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- Fiscal Responsibility Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1304) (Hon. Marcus Onobun) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1305) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1306) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Abigbirodo, Delta State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1307) (Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1308) (Hon. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1309) (Hon. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1312) (Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi) – First Reading.
- Federal Universities of Technology Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1313) (Hon. Benedict Etanabene) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1314) (Hon. Benedict Etanabene) – First Reading.
- Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1315) (Hon. Benedict Etanabene) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1316) (Hon. Jeremiah Umaru) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Awo, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1317) (Hon. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- National Agency for Job Creation and Human Capital Development, Awode–Ede, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1319) (Hon. Bamidele Salam) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1320) (Hon. Sada Soli) – First Reading.
Adjournment:
The House at 12:03 PM adjourned plenary to Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Courtesy: LightRay! Media and Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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