*SUMMARY OF SENATE PROCEEDINGS FOR TUESDAY 25TH OCTOBER, 2016*



Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu presided over plenary and leads the Senate into today’s plenary.


He reads a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari on Special Intervention Fund. The Special Intervention Fund is to fund Service Wide Votes for Police Academy, Amnesty Programme, Operation Lafiya Dole, Subsidy, Nigerian Air Force, Presidential Initiative on North East, National Youth Service Scheme etc.




*PETITIONS*

Senator Sonni Ogbuoji raises a Petition from his Constituency. He lays the Petition.


Senator Obinna Ogba also raises a petition from his Constituency against the Nigeria Police Force. He lays the Petitions.


Senator Solomon Yayi Adeola raises two petitions each against the Nigerian Shippers' Council and the Nigerian Identity Management Commission.


DSP Ekweremadu directs all petitions to the Senate #EthicsPPPCttee for further legislative action.


*MOTION*



1. Need for the Establishment of Inland Ports at Onitsha, Enugu and Other Land-locked States. By Senator Princess Stella Oduah (AnambraNorth). Senator Oduah speaks on the challenges that inland states have in navigation, export and import of goods. 


She observes that the existing maritime ports in Lagos, PortHarcourt and Calabar are already over-stretched. Senator Stella Oduah says further that she regrets the manpower and precious time lost in clearing goods that could have been spent on other productive ventures. Senator Joshua Lidani says the focus shouldn't be around the River Niger alone but inland ports should be looked at around River Benue too.


Senate Leader rises to say after due consultation, the motion should be stepped down to allow an all-inclusive approach to inland ports. The Minority Leader seconds and Senator Oduah who sponsored the motion on establishment of inland ports concurs. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu steps down the motion on the establishment of inland ports to another legislative day.



2. National Youth Service Corps Mobilization. By Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North). DSP Ekweremadu asks Senator Barau if he’s still interested in taking the motion as the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari already addressed the NYSC issues raised. Senator Barau steps down his motion and says he expects total mobilization of all eligible graduates as NYSC Corp members.


3. Need to include Pan-Africanism in Nigerian Secondary Schools Curriculum. By Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central)


Senator Shehu Sani notes that the concept of Pan-Africanism started in the 19th Century as an ideology and movement that encouraged the solidarity of Africans worldwide based on the general believe that unity is vital and pertinent for economic, social and political progress.


He states further that Senate is worried that the struggle for the unity of Africa has rapidly evaporated from the psyche of the present and upcoming generation.


Senators Ali Wakili, Tijjani Kaura and Jibrin Barau join the call to include Pan- Africanism in Nigerian Schools' Curriculum. Senators took turns to speak on the dire need for History as a subject to be taught in Nigerian Schools.


Senate then resolves to urge the Federal Ministry of Education to include Pan-Africanism in Nigerian Secondary Schools' Curriculum.


4. Need to revisit the regulatory conflict between Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Universities in offering admissions in Nigeria. By Senator Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi (Katsina Central) 

 He speaks on the hassles candidates face in gaining admissions into tertiary institutions.


Speaking in support of the motion, Senator Matthew Urhoghide says high marks don't even guarantee admissions in Nigeria and states that it's time to revisit JAMBS’s role in admissions as well as that of the Nigeria University Commission (NUC). He adds that the NUC actually has no role to play in admissions.


Senate now directs JAMB to develop strategy to ensure efficiency in its examinations conduct so that Students get placement in Universities.


5. Need for the re-establishment of Toll Gates on Federal Highways. By Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North)


Senator Nazif observes the deplorable state of road in Nigeria and notes the main purpose of toll gates for revenue generation.


Senator Nazif also recalls that toll gates were abolished by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 who advocated that revenue for road maintenance should rather be generated from an increased pump price in petrol back then.


Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim rises to support the re-introduction of toll gates on federal roads. Senate Leader Ali Ndume also supports the motion. He says its necessary as resources are limited and road maintenance is necessary.


Senator Biodun Olujimi also supports the motion for the re-introduction of toll gates on federal roads. He charges on the need for transparency of the toll collection agency in order to achieve the purpose of the tolling.


Senator Abdullahi Gumel and Sabi Abdullahi also support the motion on the re-establishment of toll gates on federal roads.


Senator Bassey Akpan observes the seriousness of the 8th Senate to road maintenance as they recently passed two bills on road construction.


Senator James Manager in his contribution said: “Roads in Nigeria are bad, from Trunk A to Trunk B to Trunk C, they are very bad".


He pleaded with the appropriate committee to go and understudy road construction and maintenance in developed nations.


Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu runs a history leading to the abolishing of toll gates in 2004. He harps on the need for best policy to manage it.


Senate accordingly resolves to study the toll gate policy together with other relevant stakeholders effective and efficient ways to carry out the policy aimed at producing a holistic package to generate adequate funds for roads maintenance, and the money realized should be judiciously utilized in order to restore confidence in the masses.


6. Urgent need to review the implementation status of Nigerian Automotive Industry Devt. Plan (NAIDP). By Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) and Co-Sponsored by Senator Fatimat Rasaki (Ekiti Central)


Senator Wakili notes that the National Automotive Council was established in 1993 as a parastatal of the Ministry of Industry to ensure the growth and survival of the Automotive Industry using local, human and material resources.


Senator Wakili informs that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment developed a 5-Year Programme on the Nigerian Industrial Revolution.


Senator Wakili is disturbed that the increase in tariff which raised domestic price of imported vehicles and spare parts compounded by high and scarce foreign exchange leave much to be desired especially in recognition of an estimated annual vehicular demand of over 500,000.


Senator Barnabas Gemade rises to dissect the motion. He speaks on the need for a way forward in the National Automotive Industry.


Senate directs its appropriate committees to conduct a public hearing on the Automotive Industry Development Plan and Industrial Revolution Plan.


7. Menace of street begging and the need to rehabilitate beggars. By Senator Isah Misau  (Bauchi Central). Senator Emmanuel Bwacha lends his support to the motion. He speaks on the many challenges that street begging brings.


Senator Abdullah Adamu shares his experience towards curbing street begging while he served as Nasarawa State Governor.


Senator Danjuma Goje also supports the motion on the menace of street begging and the need to rehabilitate beggars.


Senator Goje says there is the misconception within religious circles that begging is allowed. He harps on the need for enlightenment.


Deputy Senate Presidents,Ike Ekweremadu says there is a need for a bill on street begging. He adds that the culture doesn't portray us in good light. Senate resolves to call on Government to strengthen social welfare programmes to check the tide of the physically challenged turning to beggars.


Senate also calls on the Federal Government and States to set up rehabilitation centres and vocational centres.

Senate also resolves to articulate policies to re-integrate almajiris into the educational system to discourage them from street begging.


Senate Leader moves that all other matters in the order paper be stepped down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconds.

Senate Leader moves that Plenary be adjourned to Wednesday 26th October, 2016 and Minority Leader seconds.