*Senate Proceedings for Wednesday 25th January, 2017*

#TodayInPlenary


Senate President Bukola Saraki leads the Senate Leadership into the Plenary and takes the official prayer.


Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye calls the Senate to Order for Plenary to begin. 

Senator Wamakko Aliyu moves for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday 24th January, 2017. Senator Matthew Urhoghide seconds.


*Announcement*

Senate President, Bukola saraki welcomes the visiting students of the University of Benin Students' Union to the Senate.

 
*Petitions*

Senators George Sekibo, Ben Uwajumogu and Senator

Ohuabunwa present petitions from their respective constituencies.

The Petitions are all related to the Senate #EthicsPPPCttee for further legislative action.

Senator Dino Melaye raises a Point of Order on infraction and corruption between the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing (FMPWH) the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on selected contracts.

Senator Dino Melaye speaks on the FMPWH road contracts already given out, revoked, and subsequently inflated by the BPP.

Senator Dino Melaye says the Senate will continue to point it out when they see or smell corruption.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki notes the Point of Order and puts the question for Senate to take the Point of Order at the next Legislative day.

 
*Consideration of a Bill - The #2017Budget*


Senate President Bukola Saraki now calls on Distinguished Senators to make their individual contributions to the #2017Budget.

Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso speaks on the need to have at least 1% allocation of the #2017Budget to the Health Sector.

Senator Tejuoso also harps on the need for increased personnel provisions for salaries to avoid incessant strikes in health sector in 2017.

Senator Nelson Effiong speaks on the focus of the #2017Budget on local workforce. He commends the 5% VAT which will build investor confidence.

Senator Effiong also commends the increase in budgetary allocations of the Amnesty Programme from N45B in 2016 to N65B in #2017Budget.

Senator George Sekibo speaks on the low capital expenditure in the #2017budget while warning that Nigeria is indeed broke and has no money.

Senator Sekibo says there is an increased personnel cost in the #2017budget even when we say we are saving costs and says contractors should be paid.


Senator Bassey Akpan laments the high #2017budget deficit and the poor management of foreign exchange rates, fiscal and monetary policies.

Senator Bassey however commends the increased #2017budget allocation towards increasing Agricultural Production.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa commends the Executive for bringing the #MTEF in good time as well as keying-in to the revamp of railways.


Senator Gbenga Ashafa says we must compare the #Budget2016 performance with the estimated allocations in the #2017Budget.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa adds that President Muhammadu Buhari should tell Nigerians how much funds they have recovered in order to ensure transparency

Senator Shehu Sani says he hopes the allocation to Education in the #2017Budget will address the basic issues in the sector.

Senator Yele Omogunwa speaks on the factual data & statistics of unemployed, widows et al for National Planning and #2017budget implementation.

Senator Omogunwa notes that Budgets doesn't have maximal impact due to corruption. He says corruption should be legalized/liberalized then.

Senator Jide Omoworare speaks on the need to reduce recurrent and increase capital expenditure. He says Government has to spend more.

#2017budget

Senator Jide Omoworare add that the allocations for Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture should be increased as we move towards diversification, PPP and Concessioning.


"The Peace in the Niger Delta Region should be sustained and the time line on #MTEF and Budgets be reviewed." -Senator Jide Omoworare

Senator Jide Omoworare says there is a need to look at developmental planning from the past and improve on it for the future.

Senators Wamakko Aliyu and Phillip Aduda also comment on the #2017Budget. Senator Aduda speaks on infrastructure development in the FCT.

Senator Jibrin Barau focuses more on allocations to education in the #2017Budget. He says the recently created universities need more funds.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa speaks on the need to ensure implementation of the National Health Act and increase allocations to Health Sector.

Senator Ohuabunwa also says Power is indeed important and should be removed from the FMPWH. He also speaks on the need for Youth Development.

Senator Dino Melaye says "truth be told, the #2017Budget is too ambitious" and that "we borrow to swagger". He harps on Agric. development.

Senator John Enoh speaks as a professional in developmental economics focusing on the need to increase salaries and wages; high personnel costs; deficit budget; borrowing and revenue projections towards the implementation of the #Budget2017.

Senator Ali Ndume raises a Point of Order that he hasn't been called for his contributions on the #2017Budget.

Senate President Bukola Saraki says he is following the list before him and he will call Senator Ndume in due time.

Senator Biodun Olujimi asks about the success or otherwise of the Treasury Savings Account. She says the Federal Government is paying lip service to diversification.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha asks "who precisely is the #2017Budget meant for - Nigerians or the foreigners that have moved into Nigeria?".

Senator Solomon Yayi Adeola says he is surprised that the #Budget2016 of 'Change' has metamorphosed into the #2017Budget of 'Recovery and Growth'.

Senator Adeola speaks on the need for the National Assembly Budget and Research Office to vet the #2017Budget statistics from the Executive.

Senator Alimikhena says allocations for Housing Sector, the Benin-Okene road dualisation and the Inland Waterways be increased.

Senator Bala Ibn Na'Allah says the foundation for the debate on the #2017Budget was laid from the #MTEF passed by the Senate.

Senator Na'Allah says distinguished Senators are indeed speaking their mind on revenue and expenditure expectations from the #2017Budget.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide speaks on the non-implementation of the Abuja Declaration on allocations to the Health Sector.

Senator Urhoghide says the 8th Senate owes Nigerians a duty to do the right thing by allocating for basic health infrastructures #2017budget.

Senator Sola Adeyeye says Nigeria is a pathetically poor country with an entire education budget of N448B being 20% of that of Harvard University.

Senator Adeyeye says there is increased debt servicing in the #2017budget. He says the Cost of Government must be reduced.

Senator Adeyeye also says we must strengthen our private sector. Power, Road, Railway and Refinery Infrastructure must be developed.

Senator Ali Wakil speaks on the need for road and power infrastructure for his people in Bauchi State.


Senator Abu Ibrahim appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari for plans towards stabilizing the country. He speaks on Social Intervention Plans.

Senator Ali Ndume says that the budget passed annually by the Senate so far lacks details. He says Senators need to know the sub-heads.

Senator Ndume adds that there must still be increased allocations towards the humanitarian crisis in the North East.

Senators Clifford Ordia and Atai Aidoko also comment on the #2017Budget regarding solid minerals and diversification of the economy.

Senators Ibrahim Kurfi and Robert Boroffice speak on the #2017budget. Senator Boroffice speaks on Industrialization and revamping Free Trade Zones.

Senator Buhari Abdulfatai speaks on the need for actual implementation of the #2017budget and build power, road and rail infrastructures.

Senate Leader moves that Senate suspend its relevant rules so they can sit beyond 2pm. Minority Leader seconds.


Senator Sam Anyanwu says Nigeria has to come out of recession. He says Power Infrastructure needs to be sorted.

 
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi says about 45% of youths are unemployed and asks what programmes are being arranged for these youths.


Senator Abdullahi says the Senate should play its part towards ensuring Nigeria moves out of Recession.

Senator Ty Kaura speaks on the need to narrow the disparity in exchange rates, diversification and how to prioritize as we are in recession.

Senator Emmanuel Paulker says it is dangerous that the success of the #2017Budget rests on external factors i.e. access to loans.

Senator David Umaru speaks on the Suleja-Minna Road; board appointments and allocations to National Emergency Management Agency. He asks if Zero Budgeting was used.

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso speaks on the need for the Senate to ensure the passage of the #2017Budget as soon as possible.
 
*Adjournment*

Senate Leader now moves that Plenary be adjourned to the next Legislative day to continue #2017Budget debate.

Minority Leader seconds.

Senate President Bukola Saraki puts the question and plenary is adjourned toThursday 26th January, 2017.