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Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, July 15th, 2021

Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, July 15th, 2021
Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, July 15th, 2021 

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presiding.

After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker went on to examine and approve the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, July 14th, 2021
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Rep. Dachung Bagos rose on a matter of personal explanation on the new strain of the coronavirus (Delta variant). He expressed worry why there has been no official communication from the Presidential Committee on Covid-19 or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) about what the country is doing to contain and combat the effects of the new variant.
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PRESENTATION OF BILLS
 
1. Federal College of Education (Technical) Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1429) (Rep. Agbedi Yeitiemone Frederick) - First Reading.
 
2. National Eye Care Centre, Kaduna (Establishment, Etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1439) (Rep. Pascal Chigozie Obi) - First Reading.
 
3. Electronic Government (e-Government) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1432) (Rep. Sani Umar Bala) - First Reading.
 
4. Federal Medical Centre Zuru (Establishment) Bill, 2021​(HB. 1443) (Rep. Kabir Ibrahim Tukura) - First Reading.
 
5. National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1445) (Rep. Sergius Ogun) - First Reading.
 
6. Industrial Training Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1447) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
 
7. Fiscal Responsibility Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1534) (Rep. Satomi A. Ahmed) - First Reading.
 
8. Federal Highways Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1535) (Rep. Satomi A. Ahmed) - First Reading.
 
9. Border Communities Development Agency (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1536) (Rep. Satomi A. Ahmed) - First Reading.
 
10. Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1537) (Rep. Satomi A. Ahmed) - First Reading.
 
11. Family Support Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1538) (Rep. Satomi A. Ahmed) - First Reading.
 
12. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1543) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
13. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1544) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
14. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1545) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
15. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1546) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
16. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1547) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
17. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1548) (Rep. Onofiok Luke and 9 others) - First Reading.
 
18. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1549) (Rep. Onofiok Luke) - First Reading.
 
19. Nigerian Legion Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1553) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
20. Nigerian Directorate of Employment Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1554) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
21. National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1555) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
22. Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act (amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1556) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
23. Agricultural (Control of Importation) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1557) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
24. Federal College of Education (Technical) Onna (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1558) (Rep. Patrick Nathan Ifon) - First Reading.
 
25. Federal College of Education Omuo, Ekiti State (Establishment Etc.,) Bill, 2021(HB. 1559) (Senate) - First Reading.
 
26. Federal College of Education, Ugboha Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1560) (Rep. Sergius Ogun) - First Reading.
 
27. National Institute for Agricultural Research Oria, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1561) (Hon. Sergius Ogun) - First Reading.
 
28. Federal Medical Centre, Uromi Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1562) (Rep. Sergius Ogun) - First Reading.
 
29. Federal Character Commission (Establishment, Etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1563) (Rep. Unyim Idem) - First Reading.
 
30. Nigerian Communications Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1564) (Rep. Unyim Idem) - First Reading.
 
31. Nigeria Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1565) (Hon. Unyim Idem) - First Reading.
 
32. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2021(HB. 1566) (Rep. Unyim Idem) - First Reading.
 
33. Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Research Regulatory Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1567) (Rep. Unyim Idem) - First Reading
 
34. Donor Agencies Regulatory Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1568) (Rep. Unyim Idem) ) - First Reading
 
35. Niger Delta Natural Disaster Reserve Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1569) (Rep. Farah Dagogo) - First Reading
 
36. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1570) (Rep. Farah Dagogo) - First Reading
 
37. Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2021 (HB. 1571) (Senate) - First Reading
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PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
 
 
1. Report of the Conference Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill:
Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno:
‘That the House do receive the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Provide Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Fiscal Framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the Development of Host Communities and for Related Matters”

Laying of report stepped down by leave of the House 
 
1. African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly:
Rep. Nkeiruka C. Onyejeocha:
“That the House do receive Report of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the 56th Session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly (OACPS PA) and the Inter-Sessional Meetings of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU JPA) held virtually on 19th – 23rd October, 29th October AND 5th November 2020”.



The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

 
2. ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly:
Rep. Nkeiruka C. Onyejeocha:
“That the House do receive Report of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the 57th Session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly (OACPS PA) and the 39th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU JPA) held virtually on 23rd – 27th November, 3rd December & 10th December 2020”.



The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

 
3. ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly:
Rep. Nkeiruka C. Onyejeocha:
“That the House do receive Report of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the 59th Session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly (OACPS PA) and the 40th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU JPA) held virtually on 4th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th & 24th June 2021”.



The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
 
4. Committee on Aids, Loans and Debts Management:
Rep. Ahmed Dayyabu Safana​
“That the House do receive the Interim Report on the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debts Management on Proposed 2018-2020 external borrowing (rolling) plan



The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Safana and seconded by Rep. Bello Usman Kumo

 
5. Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions:
Hon. Munir Baba Dan Agundi:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Saki, Oyo State; and for Related Matters (HB. 548)” (Referred: 3/3/2021).



The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Baba Dan-Agundi and seconded by Rep. Bede Eke

 
6. Committee on Public Accounts:
Hon. Oluwole Oke:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation 2015–2018



The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Oluwole Oke and seconded by Rep. Benjamin Kalu

 
7. Committee on Health Institutions:
Hon. Paschal Obi:
“That the House do receive the of the Committee on Health Institutions on A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Medical Centre, Oghara, Delta State; and for Related Matters (HB. 573)” (Referred:13/2/2020).
 


The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Paschal Obi.
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 ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme Act, Cap. N 42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2021; and for Related Matters (HB. 371) - Third Reading.



Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the clerk read the long title and it was passed. 


2. A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Forestry in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 801) – Third Reading.


Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. 

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed. 



3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Education, Mutum Biyu, Taraba State; and for Related Matters (HB.644) – Third Reading.

Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. 

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed. 


 
4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Manchok; and for Related Matters (HB. 1135) – Third Reading.


Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. 

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed. 


 
5. A Bill for an Act to Establish University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeogun; and for Related Matters (HB.1210) – Third Reading.


Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. 

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed. 

 
6. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Hong, Adamawa State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1264) – Third Reading.


Debate 
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Peter Akpatason. 

The Bill was voted, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed. 


 
7. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology (Science) Jos Act, 2018 and Enact the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos to Provide for Courses Leading to the Award of Diplomas and Certificates in Medical Laboratory Technology and Other Related Courses; and for Related Matters (HB. 1421) (Rep. Ahmed Idris) – Second Reading.



Debate 
Rep. Ahmed Idris moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Beni Lar. 

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.



8. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Centre for Women Development Act, Cap. N15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to enhance the Functions of the Centre and Rename the Centre as Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development; and for Related Matters (HB.1147) (Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha) – Second Reading.



Debate 
Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu. 

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the House Committee on Women Affairs.


 
9. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Legal Framework to Upgrade the General Hospital Onitsha to Federal Medical Centre, Onitsha; and for Related Matters (HB.277) (Rep. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu) – Second Reading.


Debate 
Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Segun Adekoya. 

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.

 
10. A Bill for an Act to Alter Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Provide that State Governments shall have Concurrent Legislative Authority similar to that of the Federal Government for Prisons within their States or from One State to another with the Consent of the State Governments concerned; and for Related Matters (HB. 1324) (Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai) – Second Reading


Debate 
Rep. Chawai Mukhtar moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Olumide Osoba. 

The Bill was voted, approved for second reading, the Clerk of the House read the long title and the Bill was referred to the Special Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution.
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MOTIONS

11. Need to Remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme:
Rep. Henry Nwawuba.
 
The House:
 
Notes that the Contributory Pension Scheme covers all staff of the Nigeria Police Force upon retirement from service;
 
Further notes that the Police Pension Office, established by Decree 75 of 1993, was an Extra-Ministerial Department under the Ministry of Police Affairs until November 2013 when it became a Department under the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) responsible for payment of gratuity and pension under the Defined Benefit Scheme;
 
Concerned that a Police Officer risks his life and that of his dependents serving the nation for 35 years, but faces humiliation fater retirement on account of pension and gratuity scheme not being effective;
 
Also concerned that the total benefits accruable to a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under the Contributory Pension Scheme is just N2.5M and that of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) is N1.5M compared to the equivalent ranks in the Nigeria Army which is a Captain and the DSS are paid N12.8M and N10.3M respectively;
 
Aware that upon retirement, the take-home pay of a retired Police DSP is just N31,600 while that of a Captain and equivalent in the Army is N180, 000. While for a Police Inspector is N15,280 a Warrant Officer, the Army equivalent to a Police Inspector takes home N120,000 upon retirement;
 
Also aware that most salary reviews are done in the country, the Army and DSS are carried along unlike their police counterpart who are made to be stagnant;
 
Further aware that the Nigeria Police Force was included in the Contributory Pension Scheme during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of the reforms of the administration;
 
Resolve to:
Effect the immediate withdrawal of the Nigeria Police from the contributory pension scheme and revert to the former pension scheme of the organization as practised by the Army and Directorate of the State Security (DSS).

Motion stepped down by leave of the House 


 
12. Need for the Federal Government to Declare Bauchi State as Oil and Gas Producing State.
Hon. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi:
 
The House:
 
Notes that Oil and Gas remain critical to the Economic Development of Nigeria and key to the implementation of budgets at all levels of Government;
 
Aware that on 2 February 2019 President Muhamadu Buhari flags off the Spud-In of Kolmani River II well Drilling in Bauchi State and directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to extend its exploration to six basins in the Country;  
 
Also aware that it has become imperative to ascertain the fortunes at the disposal of the Federal Government in Alkaleri Local Government Area so as to hasten the process of giving effect to the provisions of the new Petroleum Industry Bill, 2021 just passed by the National Assembly in terms of the economic benefit the host community stands to gain;
 
Further aware that any community from whose location oil is discovered and or produced is entitled to several extra revenues which is special attention for the sake of its environment, infrastructure and health impact;
 
Diserious of the need for the people of Bauchi to start benefiting from the 13% derivation being the host community incentives provided for by the law;
 
Informed that oil exploration in Bauchi State commenced since 2018 and up till today it is still ongoing but no official report on whether the exercise is a success or not and Nigerians, particularly the people of Bauchi State who are to benefit from the 13% derivation are anxiously waiting to witness the economic benefit;
 
Recalls that it is the statutory function of the parliament to enact Law in any sector of the economy and take measures in order to create an environment for certainty, confidence and assurance for equitable treatment of the people.
 
Resolves to:
 
Mandate the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to invite the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation to give comprehensive representation on the level of work in the oil exploration currently undertaken in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State and the successes recorded.


Debate 
Rep. Abdullahi moved the motion on the need for the Federal government to declare Bauchi as an oil and gas producing state and it was seconded by Rep. Manu Soro. 

The motion was voted but negatived.
   â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹
 
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase Chairing:

 
13. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Education, Gwoza, Borno State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1485) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole:14/7/2021.
 
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-28.



14. A Bill for an Act to make Comprehensive Provisions for the Prohibition and Punishment of Sexual Harassment of Students by Educators in Tertiary Educational Institutions; and for Related Matters (HB. 1006) (Senate) – Committee of the Whole:14/7/2021.
 

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-26


15. Committee on Electoral Matters
Rep. Aisha Dukku:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 and Enact the Electoral Act 2021, to Regulate the Conduct of Elections in the Federal, State and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory; and for Related Matters (HB. 981) (Laid:14/7/2021).



Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Aisha Dukku stated that the electoral amendment Bill is sub-divided into 8 parts and its objective is to make card readers and other electronic means real accredited tools for election in strict compliance to the relevant laws amongst many other innovative provisions aimed at making the election process more credible and less burdensome. She called on members to vote in the spirit of the desire for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Summary of voting: 
Clauses voted on and carried: 2-5, 7-22, 24-35, 38-48, 50-52
Clauses amended and carried: 1, 6, 23, 36, 37, 49, 

Further consideration of the report suspended to another legislative day
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 HOUSE IN PLENARY 
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole.
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Adjournment:
The House at 17:44 Pm adjourned plenary till Friday, July 16th, 2021 by 10:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason 
 
 
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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