Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, February 1st, 2022
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.
After leading the opening prayer and National Pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, January 27th, 2022
Announcement
There will be a meeting of National Assembly members from the Minority caucus, today, Tuesday, February 1st by 13:40, it will hold at Senate meeting room 01
MOTION
Rep. Kabiru Idris moved a motion on the need to ensure the speedy and complete conclusion of the ongoing investigation on the gruesome abduction and murder of late Miss Hanifa Abubakar from her school in Kano and it was seconded by Rep. Benjamin Mzondu.
Rep. Idris highlighted that the gruesome act came to the fore on January 20th, 2021. He appreciated the efforts of the Kano State government and the security agencies for the ongoing investigations. Rep. Idris however urged the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done, in order to deter other would-be assailants from towing the same path. He further called on the House Committee on Justice and other relevant Committees to ensure full compliance.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that he was able to talk to the father of late Hanifa and that the situation is indeed worrisome. He prayed for the repose of her soul and that God should grant the family the strength to bear the loss.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1821) (Rep. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga) – First Reading.
2. National Council on Special Education Needs (Establishment) Bill, 2022(HB. 1822) (Rep. Ahmed Munir) – First Reading.
3. National Health Fund Bill, 2022(HB. 1823) (Rep. Usman Danjuma Shiddi) – First Reading.
4. The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1824) (Rep. Garba Datti) – First Reading.
5. National Universities Commission Act, National Board for Technical Education Act, and National Commission for Colleges of Education (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2022(HB. 1825) (Rep. Ganiyu Johnson) – First Reading.
6. National Security and Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2022(HB. 1826) (Rep. Shina Peller) – First Reading.
7. Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2022(HB. 1827) (Rep. Nnoli Nnaji) – First Reading.
8. Federal College of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Soba, Kaduna State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1828) (Rep. Ibrahim Hamza) – First Reading.
9. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1829) (Rep. Ibrahim Hamza) – First Reading.
10. Federal Road Safety Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1830) (Rep. Ibrahim Hamza.) – First Reading.
11. Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1831) (Rep. Babajimi Benson) – First Reading.
12. Protection of Elderly Persons Bill, 2022 (HB. 1832) (Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo) – First Reading.
13. Federal Medical Centre, Ikono, Akwa Ibom State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1833) (Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo) – First reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Committee on Health Institutions:
Rep. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Bonny, Rivers State; and for Related Matters (HB. 963)” (Referred: 7/7/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Jimoh Olajide
2. Committee on Health Institutions:
Rep. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1325)” (Referred: 9/6/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Jimoh Olajide
3. Committee on Health Institutions:
Rep. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Amagu Ikwo, Ebonyi State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1326)” (Referred: 15/9/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Jimoh Olajide
4. Committee on Basic Education and Services:
Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Basic Education and Services on Call for the Rehabilitation of Unity School across Nigeria (HR.127/10/2019) (Referred: 9/10/2019).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere and seconded by Rep. Enitan Badru.
5. Committee on Basic Education and Services:
Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Basic Education and Services on Need to Investigate the Fire Outbreak at the Federal Government College, Keffi (HR.145/06/2021) (Referred: 14/7/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere and seconded by Rep. Enitan Badru.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Rigasa, Kaduna State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1726) (Senate) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Raji.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
2. A Bill for an Act to Alter Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Expand the Scope of Code of conduct for Public Officers to Facilitate Realizations of Food and Economic Security; and for Related Matters (HB.1775) (Rep. Balarabe Shehu Kakale) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Shehu Kakale moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Kabiru Idris.
Rep. Kakale in leading the debate stated that the Bill seeks to expand the scope of agricultural service delivery in Nigeria. This he said is to expand the scope of agricultural output from just crop farming as has been envisaged in the past, to other vast components of agricultural goods and services that have continued to yield economic dividends for Nigeria. The Bill he stated further seeks to expand the scope of agricultural practice for a more diverse agricultural system. The scope of farming in Nigeria is restrictive, which he stated also restricts the input and output of agricultural resources and dividends respectively.
Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu supported the Bill for its developmental spirit, and for the good of the development of the agricultural sector.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Special Committee for the Review of the Constitution.
3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Agriculture, Sampou (Kolokuma/Opokuma), Bayelsa State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1114) (Rep. Oluwole Oke) – Second Reading.
Second reading of the Bill stepped down by leave of the House
4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provision for Establishment of Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma; and for Related Matters (HB.1820) (Rep. Munir B. Dan-Agundi) – Second Reading.
Second reading of the Bill stepped down by leave of the House
MOTIONS
5. Need to Address the Devastating Gully Erosion at the University of Benin and the Surrounding Communities:
Rep. Dennis Idahosa:
The House:
Notes that over the years, gully erosion has been causing severe damages to the Infrastructure and Ecological environment at the University of Benin and its adjoining Communities;
Also notes that the erosion has cut off the University from its host Communities, making life unbearable for staff and students, including Iquo-Hana, Iguo-Efosa, Utah, and other adjoining Communities;
Aware that alternative routes to the University and surrounding communities have also been cut off, thus preventing students living outside the school campus from having access to the University;
Recalls that contract for the erosion control was awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2012, but the project is yet to be completed;
Worried that the situation has crippled economic activities of residents of the affected communities and their means of livelihood, thereby causing untold hardships while some staff and students have been rendered homeless;
Concerned that the erosion had halted the ongoing construction of Ekosodin road which links the area to the New Lagos-Benin Expressway;
Cognizant that if urgent action is not taken to address the problem, the University and the surrounding communities might be cut off completely from other parts of Edo State;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to commence remedial work in the affected Communities to restore access to the University of Benin and other parts of Edo State;
(ii) also urge the Ecological Fund Office and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to urgently collaborate to seek a permanent solution to the erosion menace facing the University of Benin and surrounding Communities by funding and constructing alternative routes to the university;
(iii) mandate the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate the non-completion of the contract awarded by the NDDC in 2012 to tackle the gully erosion;
(iv) also mandate the Committees on Works, FERMA, Ecological Fund, NDDC, and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
Debate
Rep. Dennis Idahosa moved the motion on the need to address the devastating gully erosion at the University of Benin and the surrounding communities and it was seconded by Rep. Yusuf Bolaji.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
6. Urgent Need to Complete Calabar/Ikoneto Road:
Rep. Eta Mbora:
The House:
Notes that a good road network is vital to the development of every community as it facilitates movement of goods and services within States in Nigeria;
Also notes that the contract for the construction of Calabar-Ikoneto road section (i) Ikoneto (channel 0+000) Adiabo bridge (channel 22+700) was awarded to Transporters and Utilities Construction Company Limited (TUCC) with contract number 3517 A, but was later terminated at a percentage completion of 30% on 3 January 2002 due to poor performance by the contractor;
Also notes that the length of the Calabar-Creek Town, Ikoneto road section (i) and (ii) is about 33.8 km, while the section (ii) which is the Adiabo bridge (over Calabar River) channel 22+700 to Tinapa junction in Calabar is about (6.10km) which had been completed and in partial use from Ikoneto to Adiabo bridge which is about (27+7km) long traversing through the swamps of Calabar River flood plains and terminating at the west bank of the river is left unattended to because of the termination of the contract in 2002;
Aware that the completion of the road would boost tourism by providing easy access to the old home of tourist attraction and the church of the famous Scottish Missionary Mary Slessor with an alternative route to Akwa Ibom State from Calabar through section (v) of the proposed East-West road (Oron to Calabar);
Worried that section (i) of the road which had been completed from the bridge at Adiabo town over Calabar river is currently depreciating and of little or no economic value to the people and government cannot reap full economic benefits of the huge investments already invested as the road is neither linked to Calabar the state capital nor linked to Oron in Akwa Ibom State;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to review the termination of the contract and re-award such contract to a reputable firm for completion;
(ii) mandate the Committee on Works to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure adequate budgetary provision for completion of the road in the 2023 budget estimates;
(iii) also mandate the Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
Debate
Rep. Eta Mbora moved the motion on the urgent need to complete the Calabar/Ikoneto road and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
7. Need to Review the Cocoa Production Policy of the Country:
Rep. Ademorin Kuye:
The House:
Notes that Nigeria was once a major player in cocoa production, being the second-largest producer in the world with 450,000 tons, and the country’s top foreign exchange earner in the 1950s and 1960s before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in the 1970s;
Also notes that the Nigerian Cocoa Market crashed in the 1990s as production fell to 170,000 tons and was impacted by the Structural Adjustment Policies of the late 1980s that included the dissolution of the Cocoa Marketing Board to liberalize cocoa marketing trade and allow improved cocoa output and pricing;
Further notes that the National Cocoa Development Committee, Established in December 1999 by the Obasanjo Administration, was tasked to improve cocoa quality and increase production from 170,000 tons to 300,000 tons and 600,000 tons per annum in the short and long term respectively;
Concerned that the unregulated and liberalized Cocoa Industry is depriving Cocoa Farmers of yearly revenues as they are unable to collect the Living Income Differential (LID) of USD400 per tonne paid to Cocoa Farmers in other countries like Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, apart from the cocoa floor prices that are paid by world cocoa buyers;
Also concerned that despite the availability of arable land and climate to sustain Cocoa production in Nigeria, the country has fallen down the line in the pecking order in Africa and the world respectively;
Worried that over 100 billion naira revenue is lost annually due to the Federal Government’s non-commitment to find sustainable, executable solutions to problems bedevilling the Cocoa Industry;
Also worried that despite the cyclical ambivalence of oil, the country’s major foreign exchange earner, the Federal Government has been unable to look into cocoa which is a potential growth sector that could serve as a buffer during periods of oil-induced recessions;
Resolves to:
Mandate Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to review all existing Cocoa/Commodity Laws and develop a National Cocoa Policy to reposition the country as the largest producer in Africa and its recognizable position in the world and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Debate
Rep. Ademorin Kuye moved the motion on the need to review the cocoa production policy of the country and it was seconded by Rep. Chukwuka Onyema.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
8. Need to Rehabilitate Otukpo-Oju-Okpoma-Ogoja Road:
Rep. Samson Okwu:
The House:
Notes that Otukpo-Oju-Okpoma-Ogoja Road is a Trunk A Federal Road, which links Benue State with Cross River State and other parts of the country;
Also notes that the road is the only affiliate road by which the economic lives of the people are largely dependent as it is the major road through which persons and farm produce alike are transported within and outside the States;
Cognizant that according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primary purpose of every government is to provide good governance and security of lives and properties of the people;
Concerned that the road is in a deplorable state as it has been washed away by rain and engulfed by erosion due to non-rehabilitation and maintenance;
Worried that due to the condition of the road, several lives and properties worth millions of Naira have been lost to incessant road accidents;
Also worried that unless urgent steps are taken to rehabilitate the road, more innocent lives and properties will continue to perish;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to, urgently, commence rehabilitation of Otukpo-Oju-Okpoma-Ogoja Road;
(ii) mandate the Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to ensure compliance.
Motion stepped down by leave of the House
9. Need for the Federal Government to Save Funds For Future Generations:
Rep. Chinedu B. Obidigwe:
The House:
Notes that the Federal Government ought to make conscious and concerted efforts to secure the future of Nigerians;
Also notes that Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) aims at the following:
(i) save money for future generations;
(ii) provide stabilization of funds to defend the economy against commodity (oil) price shocks, and provide financing for badly needed infrastructures.
Further notes that Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 200 million, ranks 58 in SWF ranking which is four places lower than Angola – an oil-producing African country with a population of 32.87 million as of 2021 and has $3.2 billion in assets;
Aware of this significant contrast to what other oil producers such as Kuwait, which has $700 billion “Life-After-Oil-Fund”, different from its $41.7 billion foreign reserves and Angola with $3.2 billion in assets both as of March 2021;
Concerned that a country such as Kuwait with a population of 4.2 million people and projected growth of 5.3 million by 2050, has a future fund of $700 billion to cater for their future population whereas Nigeria with an approximate population of over 200 million and an estimated population growth of 401 million people by 2050 has a Future Generations Fund of only $2.5 billion;
Worried that the Federal Government has spent over 1.8 trillion naira on debts servicing in the first 5 months of the year 2021, representing approximately 98% of the total revenue generated in the same period, which begs the question of where the savings are;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Government to make concerted and conscious efforts to secure the future by;
(a) increasing earnings and diversification of resources;
(b) focusing more on non-oil sectors of the economy by adopting alternative sources of revenue to enable foreign inflow from oil earnings to go straight to the SWF without affecting budget financing;
(c) urgently control population growth with policies necessary to fix the future population; and
(d) secure approval from the National Assembly before tampering with the country’s savings.
(ii) mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
Debate
Rep. Chinedu Obidigwe moved the motion on the need for the Federal Government to save funds for future generations and it was seconded by Rep. Beni Lar.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presiding
10. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of University of Aerospace and Aeronautics, Oka-Akoko and Matters of Administration and Discipline of Student; and for Related Matters (HB. 1483) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole: 16/11/2021.
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-30
11. A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria to Provide for the Control of its Membership and Promote the Practice of Risk Management in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (139) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 27/11/2019.
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-23
12. Committee on Customs and Excise:
Rep. Leke Abejide:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Customs and Excise on the Investigative Hearing on the unrest in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State due to the Killing of Indigenes by the Men of the Nigerian Customs Service and approve the recommendations therein (HR. 117/05/2021) (Laid: 26/1/2022).
(i) that life has no duplicate and cannot be replaced once lost, as such, the families of the deceased should be compensated in monetary terms, each soul lost at the Iseyin incidence be compensated by the Nigeria Customs Service with the sum of (N20, 000,000.00) Twenty Million Naira each being the number of souls lost being Four (4), the value of total compensation for the 4 deceased is (N80, 000,000.00) Eighty Million Naira only;
(ii) that for the person who sustained a gunshot injury in the Iseyin incidence the sum of (N2,000,000.00) Two Million Naira only be paid as compensation for the treatment of the injuries sustained;
(iii) that the Grand Total for compensation for both the deceased and the injured is the sum of (N82,000,000.00) Eighty-Two Million Naira only;
(iv) that the officers involved in the acts of killings of innocent Nigerians should be brought to book, prosecuted, and punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.
Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Leke Abejide stated that the Committee was in Iseyin to investigate the issue, where it learnt that the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service came to the town for an operation and that was mistaken for another set of individuals who stormed the town to attack. In defending themselves, the Customs officers’ vehicle ran into several individuals while trying to flee the premises. The Custom, in their defence also stated that the operation was a joint task force operation, and the blame should be jointly shared.
Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and adopted: 1-4
13. Committee on Customs and Excise:
Rep. Leke Abejide:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Customs and Excise on the Investigative Hearing on the Murder of Innocent People in Jibia by men of the Nigerian Customs Service on the 9 August 2021 and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 26/1/2022).
(i) that life has no duplicate and cannot be replaced once lost, as such, the families of the deceased be compensated in monetary terms. As such the Committee recommends that each soul lost at Jibia LGA incidence should be compensated with the sum of N20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) each by the Nigeria Customs Service. The number of souls lost being Ten people (10), the value of total compensation for the deceased is (N200,000,000.00) Two Hundred Million Naira only;
(ii) that for the Thirteen (13) persons who sustained a gunshot injury in the Jibia incidence should be paid the sum of (N2,000,000.00) Two Million Naira each as compensation by the Nigeria Customs Service for the treatment of the injuries sustained. The value of total compensation is (N26,000,000.00) Twenty-Six Million Naira only;
(iii) that the Grand Total payable by the Nigeria Customs Service as compensation for both the deceased and the injured should be the sum of (N226,000,000.00) Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Million Naira only.
Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and adopted: 1-3
14. Committee on Customs and Excise:
Rep. Leke Abejide:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Customs and Excise on the Investigative Hearing on the Brutal Murder at Igangan, Igboora, Ayete, Tapa in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State by men the Nigerian Customs Services and approve the recommendations therein (HR. 54/09/2021) (Laid: 26/1/2022).
(i) That life cannot be replaced once lost, as such, the families of the deceased be compensated in monetary terms. As such the Committee recommends that each soul lost at the Iseyin incidence be compensated by the Nigeria Customs Service with the sum of (N20, 000,000) Twenty Million Naira each. The number of souls lost being Four (4), the value of total compensation for the 4 deceased is (N80,000,000.00) Eighty Million Naira only;
(ii) that for the person who sustained a gunshot injury in the Iseyin incidence the sum of (N2,000,000.00) Two Million Naira only be paid as compensation for the treatment of the injuries sustained;
(iii) that the Grand Total of compensation for both the deceased and the injured is the sum of (N82,000,000.00) Eighty-Two Million Naira only;
(iv) that the officers involved in the acts of killings of innocent Nigerians should be brought to book, prosecuted, and punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others;
(v) that provision should be made for procurement of ballistic vehicles (Bullet Proof), Bullet Proof Vests, and helmets urgently for Nigeria Customs Service to confront the daredevil smugglers attacking their officers at Border Stations whenever the smugglers opened fire on them. This would encourage Nigeria Customs Service to be able to curtail smuggling with fewer causalities on their side;
(vi) that as constant conflict with communities is counterproductive and unsustainable the Nigeria Customs Service should aggressively deepen its engagement with traditional rulers, community stakeholders, host communities, relevant trade associations, local police networks, and local security outfits to prevent future loss of lives and properties.
Summary of voting:
Recommendations voted on and adopted: 1-6
HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa that was seconded by Rep. Rotimi Agunsonye.
Adjournment:
The House at 13:12 adjourned plenary till Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata.
Source:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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