The House of Representatives this Week November 28 – December 2, 2016 ‪#‎RepsThisWeek

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬The following are the summary of activities that happened on the floor of the House of Representatives (November 28 – December 2, 2016)

I.    Message From The President
a)    Nil

II.    Petition for the week
a.    A Petititon from Civil Libeerty Organization (CLO), on behalf of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, on the invasion and destruction of their community by the Operation Delta Safe Joint Military Task Force, was presented and laid by Hon. Jephthah Foingha.


b.    A petition from D.K Golden Investment Ltd, on the refusal by Standard Organization of Nigeria  (SON), to comply with Federal High Court orders of 27 February, 2011, and 8 December, 2014, in suit Nos PHC/AWK/CS/37/2011 and MO/1269/2014, was presented and laid by Hon. Chris Azubogu

c.    A petition from Prince Somia Ogolo, on the refusal by Kakata Construction Company (formerly Mangrovsteth Company), Maitama Extention, Abuja, to pay for electrical materials supplied to the company, was presented and laid by Hon. Bede Eke

d.    A petititon from Legal Aid Attorneys, on behalf of Obinna Asoegbu, on his dismissal from the service of the Nigeria Police Force, was presented and laid by Hon. Anohu Chukwuemeka.

e.    A petition from Akporiaye, Umuze Umuko and Co. (Barristers, Solicitors and Advocates) on behalf of His Royal Highness (HRH) Otunuya F. Okolocha AkpariII(JP), on the conversion of land belonging to his community, by the Nigeris Agip Oil Company(NAOC) was presented and laid by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai

f.    Petitions from the following persons were presented and laid by Hon. Samuel Onuigbo
(a)    Okenwa Israel N. and 3999 others , on the refusal by Diamond Bank Plc, to pay their compensation and severance packages; and
(b)    Chidi Ubani and his colleagues, on the refusal by Diamond Bank Plc, to pay all compensation and severance entitlements due to them.

III.    Bills considered for first reading
1)    Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2016
2)    National Industrial Court (Amendment) Bill, 2016
3)    Court of Appeal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
4)    Coverage of the Nigerian Courts Bill, 2016
5)    Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
6)    Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service Bill, 2016 (HB. 866) (Senate) – First Reading.

IV.    Some Motions considered for the week

1.    Humanitarian Challenges Occasioned by intention of the Military Authority to flush the hide out of members of the Boko Haram sect in Monguno, Marte and Nganzai constituency of Borno State (Hon Mohammed Monguno)

The House resolved to:
a.    Urge the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to all the people that relocate in order to allow return of people to the respective villages;
b.    Also urge the military to urgently deal with the matter that necessitated the matching order to relocate in order to allow return of people to the respective villages;
c.    Mandate the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, and Army to ensure compliance; and
d.    Further urge the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative to urgently intervene in the matter

2.    Illegal attempt by Messrs Lee Group to seize 15,000 hectares of Farmland belonging to peasant farmers in Gagarawa Local Government area, Jigawa State

The House resolved to:
a.    Requests an immediate halt to the so-called compensation exercise and all other activities being stage managed by the company on the disputed farmlands;
b.    Ask all authorities and parties especially the government of Jigawa State, to resist the temptation of supporting the neo-colonial adventures of a foreign front company, intent on dispossessing Nigerian citizens of their land resources and subjecting them to perpetual slavery in their own country;
c.    Urge the Government of Jigawa State, Gagarawa Sugercane Farmers Cooperative Society, the elected representatives of the people in the area at various level and other secondary, but relevant stakeholders should join hands to de-escalate tension, avert a looming crisis and create an atmosphere for the return of the status quo ante, conducive for constructive engagement of the parties in dispute;
d.    Set up an adhoc Committee of not less than 6 members, to investigate the matter and report back within 2 weeks, for further legislative action.

3.    Call for Control of Gully Erosion in Parts of Kaduna North Federal Constituency (Hon. Samaila Suleiman)

4.    Urgent Need to Tackle the Menace of Gully Erosion in Dutse, Jigawa State (Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Dutse)

The House Resolved to:

i.)urge the Ecological Fund office to deploy resources to tackle the ravaging erosion in Dutse, Jigawa State; and
ii.) mandate the Committees on Environment and Habitat to ensure adherence and report back to the house within six (6)week for further legislature action.

5.    Urgent Need to Review the Petroleum Prices Template (Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata)

The House Resolved to;

i.)urge the Petroleum Product Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resource to review the current price template for PMS with a view to bringing down the price of the product
ii.) also urge the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to dredge all harbors within a period of come year to enable ships to dock in them; and
iii.) set up an Ad-hoc Committee to interface with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources on the review of the price of PMS and such related matters and to report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.

6.        Abandonment of Contract for the Dualization of Airport to Iwofe Road, Rivers State (. O. K. Chinda)
   
    The House resolved to:
   
    Mandate the Committees on Anti-Corruption, Works, and NDDC to investigate the circumstances of the contract variation with a view to ensuring the inclusion of the road in the 2017 budget and, report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.

7.    Call for Construction of the Yada-Bagwaro Irrigation Scheme in Takai Local Government Area, Kano State (Hon. Garba Umar Durbunde)
The House Resolved to:

(i)    urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to capture the construction of Yada-Bagwaro irrigation facility in the 2017 budget estimates;

(ii)    mandate the Committee on Water Resources to ensure compliance, and report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.

8.    Need to Revive the Metallurgical Training Centre, Ajaokuta (Hon. Lawal Muhammed Idirisu)

The HouseResolves to:
(i)    Urge Government Agencies both at the Federal and State levels, to utilize the Centre for trainings, seminars, conferences and workshops in other to save scarce resources;

(ii)    Also urge the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to expedite action on the accreditation of education and trainings offered by the Centre for national certification system;

(iii)    Mandate the Committees on Steel and Tertiary Education and Services to ensure implementation and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.

9.    Need for Revival of Large Scale Production of Palm Oil in Nigeria (Hon. Emmanuel Akpan)

The House resolved to:
i.)urge the Federal Government and Governments of the States of palm oil producing zones to take all necessary measures to encourage large scale production of palm oil for export to earn foreign exchange;

(ii)    mandate the Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Commerce to ensure implementation and report back to the House within Eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.

10.    Call to Name the Yola International Airport after the Late Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Musdafa, the Lamido of Adamawa (Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim)

The House resolved to:

(i)    urge the Federal Government to immortalize the Late Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Musdafa by naming the Yola International Airport after him;

(ii)    mandate the Committee on Aviation to ensure implementation and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.

11.    Calling the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control to Ensure That Food and Drinks Sold In Hotels and Restaurants Meet Globally Accepted Hygiene Standards (Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun)

The House resolved to:

(i)    Urge the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control to strengthen its investigation and enforcement units to enable them conduct regular and on the spot inspection of hotels and restaurants to ensure that acceptable hygiene standards are met in the preparation of food and drinks to be served to the public;

(ii)    Also urge the Agency, in conjunction with the  Public Prosecutions Department  of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation  to prioritize the prosecution of contraventions of the Act setting up the Agency;

(iii)    Mandate the Committee on Healthcare Services to liaise with the Director General of the Agency for assessment of the Agency’s abilities and activities in respect of the monitoring of the preparation of food and drinks in hotels and restaurants and report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.



12.        Need to Complete the Rehabilitation of Nguru/Gashua and Gashua/Bayamari Federal Roads(
Hon. Sidi Yakubu, Hon. Yau Galadima)

The House resolved to:

(i)    mandate the Committee on Works to visit the project sites for an on the  spot assessment of the works done so far and determine the reason for the wide difference in the contract sums for the two Road projects;

(ii)    also mandate the Committees on Works, and Appropriations to include the completion of rehabilitation works on the Nguru/Gashua and Gashua/Bayamari Roads in the 2017 budget proposal.

13.    Need for Reconstruction of Auchi-Agenebode-Idah-Odolu-Ibagwu Nsukka Road:
(Hon. Emmanuel Makoji Egwu)

The House resolved to:

(i)    urge the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing to include the reconstruction of the Road in the 2017 budget proposal;

(ii)    mandate the Committees on Works and Appropriations to ensure implementation and report back to the House within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.

14.    Urgent need for reconstruction of Mayo-Belwa-Ganye Road in Adamawa State 9 Hon Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas)

The House resolved to:

(i)    Urge the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing to cause a redesigning and re-award of the Mayo- Belwa-Ganye Road for reconstruction;

(ii)    Mandate the Committees on Works and Appropriations to ensure that priority attention is given to the Road in the 2017 Budget.


15.    Urgent Need to Investigate the Joint Venture Agreement between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and StarTimes Communications Network Technology Company Limited (Hon. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu)
   
    The House Resolved to:
   
    Mandate the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to investigate the Joint Venture Agreement between the Nigerian Television Authority and the Star Communications Network Technology Co. Ltd to ascertain whether the interests of Nigeria was well represented and is being protected, and report back to the House within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.
   
16.    Urgent Need to Regulate the Establishment of Pharmaceutical Shops and Drug Stores (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen)

The House Resolves to:

(i)    Urge the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to commence inspection of all pharmaceutical shops with a view to closing down those that are not manned by registered pharmacists or those operating in unregistered premises and to carry out disciplinary measures against defaulters, and
(ii)    Mandate the Committees on Health Institutions and Healthcare Services to ensure compliance.

17.    Urgent Need for Government to Check the Prevalent Cases of Diabetes in Nigeria (Hon. Solomon U. Ahwinahwi)

The House Resolved to:

(i)    urge the Federal Ministry of Health, the Consumer Protection Council and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out proper monitoring of all categories confectionaries in the country to determine the level of compliance of the manufacturers to the sugar level requirement;

(ii)    mandate Committee on Healthcare Services to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health on the need to carry out enlightenment and awareness campaigns to sensitize and educate the populace about this deadly and silent killer disease.


V.    Some Bills Considered for second reading

i.    A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provision of Section 81(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to mandate the President to submit Budget Proposals 3 Months before the end of the Fiscal year and for Other Related Matters (HB. 833) (Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo)

ii.    A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Road Maintenance Agency Act, Cap. F38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to, among Other Things, Re-Structure the Agency, Increase its Funding and a Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Road Maintenance Agency Act, Cap. F38, Laws  of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Harmonize the Provisions of the Act with the Federal Highways Act with Respect to the Powers of the Minister to Grant Road Concessions Contracts and for Other Related Matters (HBs. 627 and 685) (Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka and Hon. Taiwo Akintola);

iii.    A Bill for an Act to Establish a National Day to Promote Fitness for all Nigerians to Increase Awareness among Nigerians of the Significant  Benefits of Physical Activity, Encourage Nigerians to Increase their Level of Physical Activity and Participation in Recreational Sports and Fitness and for Other Related Matters (HB. 704) (Hon. Douye Diri)

iv.    A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Prevention, Control and Management of Cerebrospinal Meningitis and for Other Related Matters (HB.785) (Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku)

v.    A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Forestry  and to Provide for an Institute to be charged with the Responsibility for the Registration, Regulation and Disciplining of Members of the Profession and for Other Related Matters (HB. 594) (Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi)

vi.    A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 to Restrict  Persons that acted as President or Governor for more than Two Consecutive Years to be Eligible for Election for more than a Single Term, to Compel the President and Governors to attach intended Portfolios of Office of all Ministerial and Commissioners Nominees before Submission to the Legislature for Screening, to Compel Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidates of all Political Parties to Nominate Running Mates from a different Region and for Other Related Matters (HB. 699) (Hon. Sulamon Lasun Yussuff)

vii.    A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 1(3) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make the Chief Justice of the Federation Responsible for the Appointment of Chairman and Members of National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunals in all the Thirty Six States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and for Other Related Matters (HB.820) (Hon. Karimi S. Sunday and Hon. James Faleke)

viii.    A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters and for Other Related Matters (HB. 829) (Hon. Abdulrazak Saad Namdas)

ix.    A Bill for an Act to Amend the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap. B3, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Among Other Things, Establish a Deposit Fund at the Central Bank for Standardization and Management of Dormant Accounts in accordance with International Best Practices and for Other Related Matters (HB.698) (Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammed)

x.    A Bill for an Act to Mandate Schools to Provide for Adequate Special Education Needs to Students with Learning Disabilities and for Other Related Matters (HB. 315) (Hon. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi)

xi.    A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Protection of the Identities of National Security Agencies Officers, Agents, Sources, Informants and Operational Methods from Unlawful Disclosure and to Protect their Establishments, Facilities and Equipment against Unauthorized Access, as well as Provide for the Promotion and Engagement of Nigeria’s External Security and for Other Related Matters (HB. 830) (Hon. Oluwole Oke)

xii.    A Bill for an Act to Amend the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, Cap.R7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provisions for Sanctions for Erring Revenue Generating Agencies and Enhance the Revenue Profile and Remittances into the Federation Account to Facilitate National Development; and for Other Related Matters (HB. 542) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen)

xiii.    A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Establishment of Federal Character Tribunal for the Prosecution of Violators of the Federal Character and Review of the Penalties and for Other Related Matters (HB. 832) (Hon. Uchechuku G. Nnam-Obi)

xiv.    A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Agency for Foreign Assistance (NAFA) to Coordinate and Facilitate the Rapid Realization of NAFA Programmes and Processes in Nigeria  and for Other Related Matters (HB. 24) (Hon. Gideon Gwani)

xv.    A Bill for an Act to Amend the University of Ibadan Act, Cap. U6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Election and Tenure of the Dean of a Faculty and for Other Related Matters (HB. 261) (Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe)
   

VI.    Some Bills Considered for third reading

1)    A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Customers Relationship Management to be charged with the Responsibility for Registration and Disciplining of its Members, Regulation and Control of the Practice of Customer Service Profession and for Other Related Matters (HB. 69)

2)    A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria and for Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 85)

VII.    Consideration of report for the week
1)    Committee on Army:
    Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Army on the Need for the Nigerian Army to Allow Farmers Purchase Fuel in Jerry Cans in Yobe State (HR. 191/2016) and approve the Recommendations therein”  (Laid: 10/11/2016 ).

(i)    That the Committee should officially write a request to the Chief of Army Staff who would review the security situation in the areas and authorize the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to farmers through their village heads and also relax the ban on the Sale of PMS and the use of Motor Bikes;

(ii)    that the House do urge the Chief  of Army Staff to review the restrictions on the sale of PMS in Jerry cans and regulate the use of motor cycles in such a manner that it will not jeopardize the fight against Bako Haram Insurgency in the North East Zone.


 

2)    Committee on Army:
    Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Army on the Need to Curb Kidnappings, Armed Robberies and Killings in Aba, Abia State (HR. 28/2016) and approve the Recommendations therein”  (Laid: 10/11/2016 ).

(i)    That there should be an immediate activation of a uniform national emergency number for more robust fight against kidnappings and other violent crimes;

(ii)    that there should be an urgent improvement and revamping of the intelligence gathering network of the security agencies to enable them to be more pro-active in their fight against kidnappings and other violent crimes;


(iii)    that the Mobile Network Providers should be mandated to install much more robust equipment and tools in tracking of numbers used by kidnappers for ransom purposes and collaborate closely with the security agencies in the fight against kidnappings and other violent crimes that require dedication and hard work;

(iv)    that the number of soldiers and other security agents in Aba and environs should be increased for a sustainable management of the vices that are the subject matter of this report;

(v)    that provision of operational vehicles such as Toyota Hilux and (APC) Armoured Personnel Carriers  to enable the soldiers and other security agencies have access to the routes within and out of Aba should be made a matter of utmost urgency;

(vi)    that Communications equipment, such as high frequency Radio Communications System should be provided for the security agents on patrol, especially those manning check points;

(vii)    that Frequent rotation of officers should be adopted;

(viii)    that the government should have control of the national biometric information/data used by the banks, the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), the Nigeria  Immigration Service,  and other agencies as this will increase inter agency cooperation and sharing of resources and intelligence;

(ix)    that the Security Agencies should increase public awareness of the procedures and processes available to the public in times of emergency;

(x)    that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should immediately introduce location based information and/or emergency call before the end of the year;

(xi)    that prosecution of apprehended culprits should be heightened and given publicity to serve as deterrence;


(xii)    that Installation of Security Cameras in all public places including business premises should be made compulsory.
 
3)    Committee on Army:
    Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Army on the Study Visit to the House of Commons, United Kingdom from 10 – 11 May, 2016 and approve the Recommendations therein” (Laid: 10/11/2016 ) ”.

(i)    that the Committee on Army should continue to explore the existing legislative cooperation  with the UK Parliament, and other Relevant Committees;

(ii)    that the Committee should expand the interaction with relevant Committees across the West African sub region of and indeed Africa to share best practices on the protection of human rights in the fight against insurgency.


- Babajimi Benson, MHR