Full Plenary Proceedings, House of Reps, Thursday, June 27th, 2024

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.

By admin , in Uncategorized , at June 27, 2024

After the recitation of the National Anthem, the opening prayer and the recitation of the National pledge, the Speaker approved the second votes and proceedings of Tuesday, June 11th, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Communication from the President:
Request for further amendment of the Appropriation Act, 2023 (Amendment) Bill as well as the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023 (Amendment) Bill to December 2024. He expressed confidence that the House will positively consider and pass the Bills for the smooth and good governance of the nation.
The House of Representatives Legislative Open Week, which is aimed at improving legislative governance and citizen relations is a 3-day program beginning by Wednesday, July 3rd at the National Assembly by 12:00 PM.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

Appropriation Act, 2023 (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1560) (Executive) – First Reading.
Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023 (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB. 1561) (Executive) – First Reading.
National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (1547) (Hon. Chris Nkwonta) – First Reading.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (1543) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
Federal Capital Territory Transport Authority (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (HB. 1551) (Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and 7 Others) – First Reading.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (1544) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (1549) (Hon. Isa Ali JC) – First Reading.
Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiha (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (1548) (Hon. Ja’afar Abubakar Magaji) – First Reading.
National Orientation Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024(HB. 1553) (Hon. Akintunde Rotimi) – First Reading.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (1545) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (HB. 1550) (Hon. Dalyop Chollom Fom) – First Reading.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (1546) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB. 1552) (Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu) – First Reading.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

A Bill for an Act to Domesticate and Enforce in Nigeria the International Convention against Doping in Sport, Establish Nigeria Anti–Doping Centre to Implement Nigeria’s obligations to World Anti–Doping Code, International Standards and for Related Matters (HB.1441) – Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

A Bill for an Act to Prohibit the Exportation of Maize or its Derivatives in Large Commercial Quantities out of Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB. 1509) – Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Domestication and Enforcement of African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons and for Related Matters (HB.1350) – Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

A Bill for an Act to provide for Establishment of Federal University of Environment Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Tai Ogoni and for Related Matters (HB.1040) – Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the House to suspend its relevant rules so that Bill number 5 can be read for the second time and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act 2023, to further extend the implementation of the Capital aspect of the Appropriation Act, 2023 from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1560) – Second Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. Hon. Ihonbvere in leading the debate stated that the amendment is critical to make provision for completion of critical capital projects completion and delivery. He urged Honorable members to support it.

Hon. Kingsley Chinda in contributing to the debate stated that while he supports the Bill in principle, he is concerned that the application for extension is also coming with a request for extension for the supplementary appropriation. While the principle of the Bill to complete critical capital projects, the multiplicity of budgets defies the doctrine of process and procedures. He suggested for the Bill to be stepped down and that the House should capture the critical capital projects in the 2024 supplementary budget.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas reminded Honorable members that President Bola Tinubu is using the right channel to ensure the amendment for the smooth running of the government and for the procedure to remain legal. He urged Honorable members to support the second reading of the Bill.

Hon. Sada Soli in his contribution reminded Honorable members that the only way to extend the supplementary budget is through seeking to amend and extend the main budget.

Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa called on Honorable members to set aside all sentiments and politics as it is glaring that the procedure of presenting this Bill will not work as intended as multiple budgets cannot run concurrently. He called for the adoption of moral justification as representatives of Nigerians. He further called on the House to unite and send a signal to the Executive that it is no more business as usual, because presenting these Bills as it is looks like failure in leadership. Hon. Ado-Doguwa however called for understanding on the part of Honorable members and allow the second reading of the Bill this time.

The House then went into an Executive session to iron out some critical issues.

The House on resumption from the Executive session affirmed that it had noted the concern of Honorable members on:

I. The implementation of the 2024 budget and it is agreed that the House will get in touch with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allay these concerns and ensure it is assured of the proper implementation of the budget.

II. The concern on the 2023 supplementary budget was also noted and it was agreed for its extension in order to ensure the security agencies can continue fighting insecurity seamlessly. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee on Supply.

Hon. Francis Waive moved for the House to suspend its relevant rules so that Bill number 6 can be read for the second time and it was seconded by Hon. Kabiru Ahmad.

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023 to further extend its implementation from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1561) – Second Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. Hon. Ihonbvere in leading the debate stated that the Bill is similar to the intent of Bill number 5 and it is in order to allow for the completion and delivery of critical capital projects. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee on Supply.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE ON SUPPLY) Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas Chaired:

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act 2023, to further extend the implementation of the Capital aspect of the Appropriation Act, 2023 from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1560) – Committee of Supply.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1 & 2
Clause amended and approved: 3

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023 to further extend its implementation from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1561) – Committee of Supply.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1 & 2
Clause amended and approved: 3
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HOUSE IN PLENARY:

The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the committee on Supply following a motion by Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the House to suspend its relevant rules to allow it take the third reading of the 2 Bills considered in the committee on Supply and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda

BILLS

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act 2023, to further extend the implementation of the Capital aspect of the Appropriation Act, 2023 from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1560) –Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023 to further extend its implementation from 30 June 2024 to 31 October, 2024 and for Related Matters (HB.1561) – Third Reading.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading and passed.

Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved a motion that the House adopt the votes and proceedings of the day and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

Adjournment:
The House at 13:37 PM adjourned plenary to Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 by 11:00 A.M

Courtesy: LightRay! Media and Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.