Plenary proceedings, House of Reps for Tues, Nov 19th, 2024

After the recitation of the First stanza of the National Anthem, the National Pledge and opening prayer, the Speaker approved the second votes and proceedings of Thursday, October 31st, 2024.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Communications from The President:

I. Submission of the 2025-2027 Midterm Expenditure Framework for the kind consideration and approval of the House of Representatives. The framework is based on the approved economic parameters by the Federal Executive Council. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed confidence on the continued cooperation of the House on such critical issues. The request was referred to the House Committee on Finance as well as that on National Planning and Economic Development.

II. Transmission of the National Social Investment Program Agency Establishment Amendment Bill for consideration and approval of the House of Representatives. The National Social Register will serve as the primary tool for the Social Investment strategies of Government. This is to ensure transparency and digital compilation of due beneficiaries.

III. Request for a Resolution of the National Assembly for approval for an External borrowing plan of over 1 =N= Trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act. This is to ensure continuous governance and service delivery for Nigerians. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed confidence on the continued cooperation of the House on such critical issues. The request was referred to the House Committee on Aids and Loans Debts Management.

2. The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio announced the notification of the valedictory session of late Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah on Tuesday, 19th November at the Senate Chambers during the time of plenary.

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PETITIONS:

1. Hon. Cyril Godwin laid a petition on behalf some complainants against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on alleged extrajudicial killing of a lady within their community. They called for due investigation by the House and due compensation of the family.
2. Hon. Clement Jumbo laid a petition on behalf of a complainant against the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) on alleged refusal to honour an investigation and order to restore his employment with NEXIM.
3. Hon. Patrick Umoh laid a petition on behalf of a complainant representing the Governing Council of a Polytechnic who sought the enforcement of the guidelines of the Council which was allegedly being flouted.

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MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE:

1. Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo moved a motion on the urgent need to condemn the attacks by unknown gunmen in Anambra state as well as the attack on the convoy of Hon. Ginger Onwusibe and it was seconded by Hon. Mudashiru Lukman. Hon. Okonkwo in leading the debate stressed the need for government to continue to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and properties and strongly condemned both attacks. He called for more concerted efforts to strengthen safety and security of Nigerians.

While commiserating with the families of the victims; he further called on both the Anambra state as well as the Federal Government to ensure the cause of the insecurity is dealt with by the collaboration of all security resources. Hon. Okonkwo then called on the House Committee on Defense to investigate the causes of the insecurity and unrest and report back to the House in 2 weeks. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Defense.

2. Hon. Umar Ajilo moved a motion on the urgent need to investigate the Kaduna state Correctional Facility and it was seconded by Hon. Kelechi Nwogu. Hon. Ajilo in leading the debate stressed the need for the investigation as the infrastructure and services of the institution have become grossly dilapidated. This, he stated has led to the needless loss of lives of inmates. He urged the Members as representatives of the people to conduct an immediate investigation into the situation and foster a path to qualitative welfare of staff and inmates of the correctional institution. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Correctional Services.
3. Hon. Harrison Nwadike moved a motion on the urgent and critical need to amalgamate vocational centers nationwide under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and it was seconded by Hon. Ayodeji Alao Akala. Hon. Nwadike in leading the debate stressed the need for this amalgamation in order to boost the skill development drive of the federal government. He called for the revival of those centers which have become moribund so that Nigerians can benefit from them to become thriving entrepreneurs.

Hon. Nwadike also stated that these centers number about 87 nationwide. Many of these centers he stated are barely functional, while 36 are completely non-functional, this he stated is sad and should be corrected. Hon. Nwadike stated that with the rising state of unemployment; these centers should be empowered to provide skill empowerment for Nigerians. He called for the constitution of an Ad-Hoc Committee to liaise with the National Directorate of Employment and ensure all measures deemed necessary to correct this sad development is addressed and report back to the House in 2 weeks.

Hon. Olumide Osoba proposed an amendment to prayer 1 so that the motion be referred to the Standing House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity. The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House Committee on Labor, Employment Productivity.

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Hon. Francis Waive moved a motion that the House suspend all matters on the Order Paper in order to allow Honourable Members join their colleagues in the Senate for the valedictory session of late Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah and it was seconded by Hon. Bello Ambarura.

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House Adjournment:

The House at 12:06 adjourned plenary to Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki.

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