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Senator Kabiru Gaya moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 18th December 2018. Senator Ademola Adeleke seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION 

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on his Decision to Decline Assent to the National Transport Commission Bill, 2018.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on his Decision to Decline Assent to the Federal House Authority (Establishment) Bill, 2018

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on the Transmission of the Draft; National Tobacco Control Regulations, 2018 for kind consideration and passage of the Senate.

POINT OF ORDER

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu cited Order 43 and on behalf of the Senate congratulated Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on his 56th Birthday. “This is a very special day as Mr. President will also be coming today for the #2019Budget.”

“This Senate has achieved so much as regards the Bills passed so far. This Senate has passed more Bills than to any other Senate so far.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“Going forward we are going to meet the expectations of Nigerians.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“I thank you all very much for the prayers and congratulatory messages, for your support; your warmth, love and affection. May the Almighty God continue to guide all of us. Thank you so much.” -Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senator Sam Anyanwu cited Order 42, raised a motion on the provision of payment of Oil Subsidy to Oil Marketers made by the Senate on the appropriation made by the Senate.

“As a Committee, we drew the attention of the Ministry of Finance to this issue. We will reach out to them to resolve these issues accordingly.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.

“Despite all the efforts made by the Chairman of this Committee, there are challenges that still need to be addressed. I want to appeal to Senator Marafa to see if he can reach out to the Federal Government for solutions.”-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“I don’t see how such a thing can take so long to get done. These marketers have an impact on the lives of our people. For us to have to wait many more months is too long for something that is crucial in getting the economy going.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“I think there is a need for the Chairman of Finance to take it up with the Ministry of Finance to ensure they expedite their actions so that relief can come to a lot of contractors that have been waiting for so long for their payments.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading

1. Primary Health Care Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 715) by Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Primary Health Care Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 715) was read the First Time.

2. Industrial Property Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 716) by Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Industrial Property Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 716) was read the First Time.

3. South West Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 718) by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

South West Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 718) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on Communications by Senator Gilbert Nnaji on:

a. 2018 Budget Proposal for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and

b. 2018 Budget Proposal for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

‪Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded that the Senate do receive the Report of the Committee on Communications on:‬

a. 2018 Budget Proposal for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and

b. 2018 Budget Proposal for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

The Report was LAID.

MOTION

‪Senator Ahmad Lawan moved that the Senate do proceed to the House of Representatives Chamber for a Joint Session to receive an address by Mr. President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on the 2019 Appropriation Bill.‬

‪President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the National Assembly for a Joint Session on the 2019 Appropriation Bill‬.

‪Opening prayer was taken.‬

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki welcomed all Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members present as well as President Muhammadu Buhari as he presents the #Budget2019

President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the Joint Session of the Senate and House of Representatives on the #Budget2019

“This is my last Budget Speech to the 8th National Assembly. Today, we will review economic development over the last three-and-half years with emphasis on 2018. We will also highlight the budget for 2019.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The last three-and-half years have been challenging both home and abroad. Both oil and non-oil markets have been volatile. There have been disruptions in oil production in the country.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“However, we have cause to be optimistic about the future. The economy has recovered from recession. We have done more work with less resources in Agriculture, Social Development and Infrastructure.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We have intervened several times to support states in the payment of salaries. The Federal Government has also sustained its efforts to curb corruption through the comprehensive cooperation of the single treasury account. We have also made efforts to end the insurgencies in affected areas of the country.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We thank the Armed Forces and Security Agencies for their efforts and sacrifices in protecting the nation. We have also made many efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Inflation has declined from 18.2% in January to 11.28% in November. Foreign Capital Influence has also improved.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Trading is a significant contributor to our country’s economy. But we must strengthen other areas such as Information Technology and Entertainment; all hands must be on deck to ensure the country succeeds.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“In Agriculture, we are seeing increased investments in all areas of the sector. Indeed, we are on course to achieve good security in the nearest future.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We also prioritized the completion of already ongoing projects as opposed to starting new ones.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We have included the implementation for the National Minimum Wage. I will be sending a Bill to this National Assembly on this.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“To further support SME’s, we have set aside N15 billion while the sum of N10 billion has been granted to BOI for this purpose.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I hereby present and lay the 2019 Budget to the floor of the National Assembly for consideration and passage.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We can all commit to the early passage of this Bill.I thank you most sincerely for your attention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”- President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari laid the #Budget2019 at the Joint Session of the National Assembly.

‪The Joint Session of the National Assembly concluded with the National Anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.‬

‪Senate Plenary resumed after Joint Session of the National Assembly where #Budget2019 was laid.‬

ADJOURNMENT 

‪Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.‬

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 20th December, 2018.

#GavelBangs

Signed:

New Media Department,

Office of the President of the Senate,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.