*#TodayInPlenary*
*SENATE PROCEEDINGS FOR WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2016.*
Senate President Bukola Saraki leads the Senate Leadership into Plenary.
Senator Mohammed Sabo moves for the approval of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday 13th December, 2016. Senator Stella Oduah seconds.

*PETITIONS*
Senators Matthew Urhoghide and Ali Wakili present petitions from their respective senatorial districts. Senators Jibrin Barau, Dino Melaye & Benjamin Uwajumogu also lay petitions before the Senate.
All of these Petitions are referred to the #EthicsPPPCttee for further legislative action.

*POINT OF ORDER*
1. Senator Monsurat Sunmonu raises a Point of Order on the continued closure of the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso owned by both Oyo and Osun State Governments. Senate President Bukola Saraki rules that the Point Of Order by Senator Sunmonu to #ReOpenLautech will be taken at the next legislative day.

2. Senator Jibrin Barau also raises a Point of Order on the recent directive against the importation of vehicles by land borders. The Point of Order on the policy against the prohibition of vehicle importation by land borders is also to be taken at the next legislative day.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING.*
1. Federal Polytechnic Kabo (Est., Etc) Bill 2016 SB. 406 by Senator Jibrin Barau
2. Child Rights Act 2003 Amendment Bill 2016 SB. 410 by Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North)
3. Facial Mutilation (Prohibition) Bill 2016 SB. 407 by Senator Dino Melaye

*PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*
1. Report of the AdHoc Cttee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East is laid by Senator Shehu Sani
Senator @ShehuSani moves for the consideration of the report. He speaks on the pitiable plight of a projected 5.1Million IDPs in the N/East. Senator Sani says NGOs are doing most of the humanitarian work as well as UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and the Dangote Group. Senator Sani further notes while the Federal Ministry of Health was no where to be found; Nigerian Air Force, NEMA & Borno SEMA were visible.

Senator Shehu Sani points out that the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) took an undue advantage of the emergency situation to overinflate contracts. Senator Sani also says the new Initiative on the N/E should coordinate all the efforts to support the IDPs. Senator Sani concludes that the Federal Ministry of Health should immediately move its personnel to the IDP Camps in N/East Nigeria. He adds that contract awards by the Presidential Initiative on North Eest PINE contravened several parts of the public procurement act.

@SenGbengaAshafa comments that only 3 of the 10 AdHoc Cttee Members signed the report. Senator Shehu Sani however points out that 7 members signed.
Senator Dino Melaye now comments on the report of the AdHoc Cttee on mounting humanitarian crisis in the North East. Senator Melaye reads from the report & reiterates that a "company was awarded a consultancy contract worth N223Million on invasive plant species in Yobe State. The company is owned by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Engr. David Babachir Lawal to which he resigned as a director in September 2016 but still a signatory to the company's account".

Senator Dino Melaye says the action of SGF Babachir Lawal is an embarrassment to the All Progressives Congress and totally an Anti-Buhari tendency. He points out that its gross abuse of office as the SGF simply ran to the Corporate Affairs Commission to change directorship though he still remained a signatory to the company’s account. He says the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal should immediately resign and be prosecuted.

Senator Isah Misau rises to speak on the report. He recommends that SGF David Babachir Lawal should immediately resign and be prosecuted.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan @YAYIAdeola rises to speak on the report. He says "the actions of the Federal Government in recent times are nothing to write home about." Senator Adeola says that Engr. Babachir Lawal should immediately resign his appointment as SGF and be prosecuted accordingly.

Senator Urhoghide speaks on the AdHoc Committee Report. He is particular about the need for the Health Ministry to move its personnel to the IDP Camps.
Senate moves to the recommendations of the Cttee Report. Senate Leader Ali Ndume however points out that this is an interim report as Senate approves that contracts for the IDPs must pass through the Bureau for Public Enterprises for proper valuation. Senate also approves the recommendation that the new Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative PCNI coordinate relief activities for the IDPs in the North East. Senate also approves the recommendation that personnel of the Federal Ministry of Health move to the IDP Camps in the North East.

Senate also approves the recommendation that any Government Official found culpable of sharp practices be suspended and prosecuted. Senate Leader Ali Ndume points out that humanitarian funds worth $417Million has been sent to the North East yet no sign of such funds.

Senate President Bukola Saraki commends the AdHoc Cttee led by Senator Shehu Sani for the courage on the report on N/E humanitarian crisis. Senate President points out that the need for medical personnel from Ministry of Health will be followed up as well as the need for food items. Senator Bukola Saraki adds that the AdHoc Cttee has reported some infractions while noting that Nigeria cannot continue with business as usual. He further charges the PCNI to see to the diligent use of resources and proper coordination.

Senate President Bukola Saraki notes that issues of corruption in the N/E be seen to a rapid conclusion. He agrees with Senator Isah Hamma Misau that the All Progressicves Congress will see things and not cover it up. He also charged the Executive arm to take the resolutions and recommendations serious and implement.

Senator Baba Kaka Garbai raises an additional prayer that David Babachir Lawal should immediately resign as Secretary to the Government of the Federation & be prosecuted accordingly. Senator Ahmed Sani seconds the additional prayer. Senate President puts it to a vote and the Yays have it that SGF Babachir Lawal should immediately resign.

Senator Dino Melaye further raises a Point of Order from the Constitution on the conduct of Public Officials which has been breached by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal. Senate President Bukola Saraki responds "noted".

*CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT*
Senate refers the letter on the appointment of a new Auditor General to the #PublicAcctsCttee. Senate President Bukola Saraki charges the Chairman and Members of the #PublicAcctsCttee to fast track the confirmation process as the outgoing Auditor General is meant to retire soonest.

*MOTIONS*
1. Church Building Collapse in Uyo and the need to curtail the spate of building collapse in Nigeria by Senator Godswill Akpabio. Senator Akpabio notes with shock the collapse of Reigners Bible Church, Uyo on Saturday 10th December, 2016. Senator Akpabio also recalls that on Friday 12th September 2014, a 6-Storey Guest House in the SCOAN premises in Ikotun, Lagos collapsed. Senator Akpabio is deeply worried that although there are provisions for summary trials of violators of building codes, there is no record of persons convicted or sanctioned for incidences of building collapse.

DSP Ike Ekweremadu also comments on the motion. He says several lives were lost in the Uyo Incident. Senate Leader Ali Ndume says it is now time to take action and not just to commiserate with the families who have lost loved ones. Senate observes a minute silence in honour of the those who lost their lives at the Reigners Bible Church Building Collapse in Uyo.

2. Recent Suicide Attacks on Madagali Market in Adamawa State by Senator Binta Masi Garba
Senator Binta Masi Garba notes with deep grief the dastardly twin bomb attacks that took place on Friday 9th Dec., 2016 at Madagali, Adamawa State. Senator Garba says no fewer than 56 Lives were lost and 177 othets injuref in the attacks at the Madagali Market. Senator Garba Binta says last friday's attack was the third in the town and it was masterminded by two teenage bombers.

Senate accordingly resolves to condemn the attack in its entirety and commends NEMA for its quick response to the crisis. Senate calls on the FG to adequately compensate the bereaved families and take care of the wounded. Senate calls on the security agencies to embrace Modern technology in explosives detection and expand their intelligence networks.
Senate observes a minute silence in honour of the lives lost to the Madagali Market Bomb Blasts.

*ADJOURNMENT*
Senate Leader moves for adjournment till later in the day to receive President Muhammadu Buhari for the #Budget2017 presentation. Minority Leader seconds
Senate President puts the question and plenary is adjourned

3. Facial Mutilation (Prohibition) Bill 2016 SB. 407 by Senator Dino Melaye


This man is funny.