Senator Wamakko moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 18th May, 2017. Senator Olujimi seconded.
*POINT OF ORDER*
Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan cited order 15 and challenged the legitimacy of the News from Thisday Newspaper and Punch online stating that he was barred from entering his constituent by some angry youths, He stated that the Story is not true and the News outlets should retract this News.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said this is not the first time the media will report a wrong news, he said it's time for them to be responsible in their reporting. He said the committee on Media should look into it and the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions should follow up and report back in one week.
Senator Dino Melaye raised a Point of Order on the astronomical charges by Abuja Electricity Distribution Companies and other Distribution companies (DISCOs). He sort the permission of the Senate to bring up the matter against Electricity distribution companies via a motion at the next legislative day.
*PETITIONS*
Senator Clifford Ordia, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Senator Obinna Ogba and Senator Utazi laid petitions.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu referred all petitions to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to report back in two weeks.
*PRESENTATION OF A REPORT*
1. The Report of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare on the Constituencies Project (Budgetary Provisions) Bill, 2017 (SB. 103) by Senator Malam Ali Wakili.
-That the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare on the Constituencies Projects (Budgetary Provisions) Bill, 2017 (SB. 103).
The Report was LAID.
*MOTIONS*
1. Worrisome dimension of Cyber-Crime and Insecurity. urgent need for concerted efforts to secure Nigeria's Cyberspace by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa seconded and stated that he was a victim of a recent cyber attack and this should be taken seriously.
Senator Dino Melaye said we must protect our cyber space in Nigeria, he said there are 8 facebook and 4 twitter accounts of him, he also said if we don't take initiative, this will be used as a technology weapon against Nigeria.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said we experience these attacks through mails, social media and other forms, it's an important Bill that would help control this act.
Senate resolved to:
I. Urge the National Security Adviser to alert all security agencies and financial institutions in the country about the current and threatening dimensions of cynber-attacks and
2. Calabar Football Viewing Centre Tragedy by Senator Bassey Gershom.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide seconded and stated that the viewing center was directly beneath the Electric line and many others are located there. He also stated the need to show concern for the safety of lives.
Senator John Enoh and Senator Bassey Akpan lent their voices.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu sent his condolences to the families of the victims.
Senate resolved to:
I. Observed a minute silence for the 7 persons who lost their lives in the tragic event,
II. Urge all Electricity Distribution Companies to carry out regular checks and maintenance of their installations so as to forestall tragedies such as this, and
III. Mandate the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy to invite the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the accident and report it's findings and recommendations to the Senate.
3. Urgent need to Investigate the alarming rate of Rape and sexual Assault against Women, Children and Vulnerable people across the Country by Senator Bala Ibn Na'Allah.
Senator Ben Murray Bruce said the issue of Rape is intensifying, Rape is a rampant crime in lagos and other parts in Nigeria, he said if we dont look into it quickly, most of the citizens would be rape victims.
Senator Francis Alimikhena and Senator Olujimi lent their voices.
Senator Abaribe cited section 34, 1A. He said no human should be given a degrading treatment,the Senate will support this and prevent gross violation of our people.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said there is a sense of relief because people are now reporting the issue, as long as the issue is reported to the right agencies and proper punishment will be given, which is a 7year jail term for the offender.
Senate resolved to:
I. Urge the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual abuse, violation, and violence in line with the provisions of the extant laws of the Federation,
II. Mandate the Senate Committee on Health, Women Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to resolving these issues,
III. Further urge the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Agency for prohibition of Trafficking in persons (NAPTIP) and paramilitary agencies to establish functional help desk to provide assistance and support to victims as well as handle cases, and
IV. Urged all head of courts to revisit the sentencing policy on all sexual offences and domestic violence to address the seriousness it deserves.
4. Non usage of coin currencies in Nigeria and its negative effects on the economy by Senator Mustapha Bukar.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir and Senator Wakili lent their voices and supported the Motion.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu congratulated Senator Mustapha Bukar on the success of the Motion.
Senate resolved to:
I. Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intensify it's sensitization campaign and other efforts at bringing back coins into circulation in our markets,
II. Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redesign our coins to cater for the highly repetitive transactions of our economy,
III. Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to convert the lower currency notes into coins to be used side-by-side with the notes in order to facilitate retail transactions in the country, and
IV. Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sanction any commercial bank that refused to collect coins from customers as deposit.
*CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Industries on the Nigerian Independent Warehouse Regulatory Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 255).
*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate now dissolved into the committee of the whole to consider the report on the Committee on Industries.
Senate reverted back to Plenary and reported progress.
The Nigerian Independent Warehouse Regulatory Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 255) is read for the third time and passed.
2. Report of the Committee on Sports. National Sports Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 155) by Senator Obinna Ogba.
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Sports on National Sports Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 155).
*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the whole to consider the report of the Committee on Sports.
Senate reverted back to Plenary and reported progress.
The Bill of the National Sports Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB.155) is read the third time and passed.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu congratulatesd the chairman and vice chairman of the Committee.
*ADJOURNMENT*
Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 24th May, 2017.
*#GavelBangs.*
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