#TodayInPlenary
SENATE PROCEEDINGS FOR WEDNESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER, 2016.

Senate President Bukola Saraki presides over Plenary. Chief Whip Senator Olusola Adeyeye calls the Senate to order for Plenary to commence.

ADOPTION OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Gbolahan Dada moves for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday 29th November 2016 and Senator Ahmed Ogembe seconds.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senate President Bukola Saraki reads a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari laying the diplomatic privileges and immunity order granted to Africa Finance Corporation.
‎Senate President Bukola Saraki announces members of the conference Committee on harmonisation of the virement of funds request of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senate President Bukola Saraki also reads a letter from Senator Yele Omogunwa of Ondo South informing his colleagues that he has decamped from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. There is Noise in the chambers as Senators of the APC welcome Senator Omogunwa to their fold. Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio raises a Point of Order correcting insinuations in the letter that the PDP is divided. More Shout Follows!!!
Senate President Bukola Saraki rules Senator Akpabio out of order and Senator Dino Melaye raiseS another Point of Order leading to further argument and agitation. Following agitation from both sides of the chamber and ensuing arguments, Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party stage a walk out of the Chambers.
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Labour Party assumes the position of the Minority Leader and Proceedings continue.

POINT OF ORDER
Deputy Senate Leader Ibn Na'Allah raises a motion on the increase in data tariffs by the Telecom Providers over policies of the Nigerian Communications Commission. Senators in all totality condemned the increase of data Tariffs by the service providers in tandem with the NCC.
Senate now resolves to halt the new tariff approval and mandates its Committee on Communications to carry out through oversight on the process to ensure that Nigerians are carried along in the process. Senate also mandates its #CommunicationsCttee to ensure that Nigerians are not short changed. Senate further mandates the #CommunicationsCttee to investigate the allegations of failure of the service providers.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS - FIRST READING
1. Nigeria Arabic Language Village, Ngala (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2016 (SB. 386) by Sen. Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai.
2. Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2016 (SB.387) by Sen. Gbenga Ashafa.
3. Nigerian Social Security Scheme (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2016 (SB. 317) by Sen. Nelson Effiong.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS – SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to amend the Labour Act CAP L1 LFN 2004 by removing the provisions that restrict employment opportunities for Women and for related matters, 2016 (SB. 229) by Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Senator Tinubu rises to lead the debate says the restrictions are discriminatory and infringe on the rights of Women. “Some of the restrictions include inability of Women to work at Night, give birth within a given time, work in certain organizations etc”. Senate Chief Whip Olusola Adeyeye supports the bill saying that the bill will give women the opportunity to participate actively in the working environment.
Senator Binta Masi Garba says that in certain organizations, women are not allowed to give birth until after 5yrs which is not fair and calls on her distinguished colleagues to support the bill.
"I support the women in everything, but am sure the people that enacted this bill we are abt to amend were born by Women” – Senator Kabir Marafa. Senator Marafa asks his colleagues to also consider the logistics as there are many things women are good in but men are not and vice versa
"This bill removes all prohibition that prevents Women from exercising their rights as enshrined in the constitution". - @SenatorOmoAgege
The Bill to amend the Labour Act by removing the provisions that restrict employment opportunities for Women is passed for second reading. It is referred to the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity for further legislative action.
Senate President Saraki comments that "This is a gender friendly Senate and we must ensure that the rights of Women are upheld".

2. A Bill for an act to repeal the National Open University Act CAP N63 LFN 2004 and enact the National Open University 2017 to provide for the repositioning of the institutions towards the advancement of learning throughout Nigeria and for other matters connected therewith, 2016 (SB. 66) by Senator Barau Jibrin.
Senator Barau leads the debate emphasizing on the importance of the repeal in the interest of Nigeria Education System.
The Bill seeking to reposition National Open University towards advancement of learning is read and passed for second reading.
Senate President @bukolasaraki refers the bill to Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND. He adds that "This Bill will improve the quality of Education and we must ensure that we have best practices in our institutions "-@bukolasaraki

3. A Bill for an Act to establish Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs to Regulate and Control the practice of Entrepreneurs and for related matters, 2016 (SB. 07) by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.
Senator Gobir rises to lead the debate saying that the bill will help channel a path way for rising entrepreneurs.
A Bill to establish Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs to regulate the practice of Entrepreneurs is read and passed for second reading. Senate Presdient Bukola Saraki refers the Bill to Committee on Establishment and Public Matters.

4. A Bill for an Act to make provisions for Labour Transportation and for other related matters, 2016 (SB. 25) by Senator @JideOmoworare .
Senator @JideOmoworare rises to lead the debate on the Labour Transportation Bill and the Labour Transportation Bill is read and passed for second reading.
Senate President Bukola Saraki refers the Labour Transportation Bill to the Committee on Land Transport

5. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Public Private Partnership Regulatory Commission and for other matters connected thereto, 2016 (SB. 213) By Senator Kabiru Gaya
Senator Gaya rises to lead the debate emphasizing the importance of public partnership to economic growth. The Establishment of Public Private Partnership Regulatory Bill is read and passed for second reading.
Senate President @Bukola Saraki refers the Establishment of Public Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill to Committee on Works. Senate Presdient Bukola Saraki commets that "public private partnership commission is what we need to address infrastructure deficits”.

ADJOURNMENT
Deputy Leader Bala Na’Allah moves for other items on the Order Paper be stood down to another legislative day. Senator Ovie Omo – Agege seconds.
Senate President Bukola Saraki puts the question and plenary is adjourned to Thursday 1st December 2016.


#GavelBangs