PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY, 27TH NOVEMBER, 2018

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 11:03am.

Senator Lanre Tejuoso moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursday, 22nd November 2018. Senator Rose Oko seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki read a letter from Mr. President on the Appointment of 3 Career Ambassadors from Delta, Benue and Yobe States.

PRESENTATION OF A BILL- First Reading

Federal College of Forestry Technology and Research, Akamkpa (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 707) by Senator Gershom Bassey.

Federal College of Forestry Technology and Research, Akamkpa (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 707) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF A REPORT

1. Report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND by Senator Tijjani Kaura on the following Bills:

a. Federal University of Education Aguleri, Anambra State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 653);

b. Federal Polytechnic Daura (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 465);

c. National Institute of Construction Technology  and Management (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 630); and

d. Federal Polytechnic, Ikom, Cross River State (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 672).

Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND by Senator Tijjani Kaura on the above Bills.

The report was LAID.

2. Report of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes on the Proceed of Crimes Bill, 2018 (SB. 376) by Senator David Umaru.

Senator Joshua Lidani seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes on the Proceed of Crimes Bill, 2018 (SB. 376).

The report was LAID.

MOTION

1. Committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Senate resolved to:

Rescind it’s decision on the affected clauses of the Bills as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for re-consideration and passage.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the following Bills.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

1. Nigerian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139), (Clause 2 (1)(2);

2. Climate Change (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1020), (Clause 2 (1)(4), 3(1)(f), 5(2), 7(1)(a) (2)(a), 8, 9, 17(1);

3. Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HBs. 726 & 727), (Clause 11);

4. Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 401), (Clause 18 (2) and (6);

5. National Institute of Credit Administration (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 425), (Clause 7 (3)(5) and 8 (1)(3);

6. Digital Rights and Freedom (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 490), (Clause 4 (1)(2)(3); and

7. Nigerian Film Corporation (repeal & re-enactment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 584), (Clause 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19).

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

1. Conference Committee Report on the National Biotechnology Development Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) by Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa seconded that the Senate do consider the Conference Committee Report on the National Biotechnology Development Bill, 2018 (HB. 33).

Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice presented the report.

The Conference Committee Report on the National Biotechnology Development Bill, 2018 (HB. 33) was approved.

2. Report of the Committee on Finance on the Urgent Need to Review the Excise Tariff Increment in order to save Local Distillers of Beverages from Looming Extinction by Senator Umaru Kurfi.

Senator Tijjani Kaura seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Finance on the Urgent Need to Review the Excise Tariff Increment in order to save Local Distillers of Beverages from Looming Extinction.

Senator Umaru Kurfi presented the report.

?Senate resolved:?

1. That the Federal Government suspend all tariff increment until all parties involved are appropriately and adequately consulted and engaged for serious discussion which will give avenue for a consensus rate and implementation approach.

2. That an increment of not more than 50% at maximum should be adopted as it has become necessary for the Federal Government to increase the tariff rate in order to boost revenue generation as the rate will provide more leniency to the affected manufacturers and give more hope for the survival of the indigenous companies.

3. That there is a need to increase the import duties of foreign alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in order to give local indigenous companies a more competitive edge as this will provide for less price differentiation.

4. That the Federal Government should sensitize and carry along the producers and consumers of the alcoholic and tobacco products to understand the need for the increase and the disadvantages adding to the economic fortunes of this country.

“I would like to thank the Committee and our Colleagues for the effort they put in bringing together the stakeholders in this industry and coming up with these recommendations and I believe that we need to continue to sustain this idea of consultation with stakeholders before decisions are taken in matters that affect them.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“It is in the interest of our country that we make further consultations in matters that affect the lives of our people so that proper decisions will be taken for matters that affect the lives of ordinary people.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“With this report, i believe that the matter is settled and that the Government will suspend the implementation of the new rate to enable proper consultation to take place. Thank you Distinguished Colleagues.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

3. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 489) by Senator David Umaru.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the continual clause by clause consideration of the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 489).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 489) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“Let me thank the committee and our colleagues for making sure we concluded work in respect of this Bill. In view of the proliferation of arms in the country and the attendant crime, I think this is a major contribution in rolling back this development to ensure that our country and people are safe.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“I want to thank you for the expeditious passage of this Bill and I believe that the law enforcement agencies will be up to the task of ensuring that these illegal arms are as much as possible retrieved from those who have possession of them our country so that our country will be safe once more.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

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 Wednesday, 28th November, 2018.

#GavelBangs

Signed:

New Media Department,

Office of the President of the Senate,

Federal Republic of Nigeria