*#TodayInPlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY 13TH JUNE, 2017*

It's a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President Bukola Saraki took the official prayer and led the chamber into today's proceedings.

Senator Yusuf Abubakar moved for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Friday 9th June, 2017. Senator Ahmed Ogembe seconded.

*EXECUTIVE SESSION*
Senate moved into an Executive Session.

Senate resumed from its Executive Session and Senate President Bukola Saraki Reported Progress that at the executive session Senate deliberated on issues bothering on the workings of the Senate and the National Assembly in general.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*

Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) requesting the confirmation of Abdulahi Attah as the chairman of Federal Capital Tereitory (FCT) Inland Revenue Service (IRS) board.

*ANNOUNCEMENT *

Senate President Bukola Saraki made announcements and welcomed staffs and students who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.

*POINT OF ORDER*

Senator Rose Oko cited order 43 on personal explanation about the death of Miss Joy through cocaine poisoning after invitation to the house of Alhaji Usman Adamu.

Senator Aliero cited order 39(5) and 40 and stated that the letter of confirmation of board chairman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Inland Revenue Service (IRS) shouldn't come from Federal Capital Territory(FCT) minister.

Senator Dino Melaye cited order 14 and informed the Senate of the attack on His life from the Governor of Kogi State in a visit to the State and said all he wants is for Salaries and Pension of the citizens of Kogi state to be paid.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu cited order 14(2)c and stated that it is clear on the security of the people and appealed to the Federal and State Government to ensure citizens are protected as well as Properties, Ensure people that indulge in reckless activities don't get away. He stated that this is condemnable and should not be allowed on any democratic system. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said those who sustained injuries, GOD should heal them and they should get proper treatment from the hospital.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS - FIRST READING*

1. Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 471) by Senator Joshua Lidani.

2. Federal Polgtechnic Adikpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 494) by Senator Barnabas Gemade.

3. Electricity Theft (Prohibition and Prevention) Bill, 2017 (SB. 496) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

4. Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 504) by Senator David Mark.

*PRESENTATION OF REPORTS*

1. Report of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Senator Dino Melaye.
-That the Senate received the reports of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the following House Bills for Concurrence:

I. Federal Capital Territory Transport Authority (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 91),

II. Federal Capital Territory Hospitals Management Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 441),

III. Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission Bill, 2017 (HBs. 167 and 310),

IV. Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 318).

Senator Remi Tinubu seconded that the Senate received the report of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the House Bills for Concurrence.

2. Report of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development by Senator Barnabas Gemade.
-That the Senate received the report of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the need to prosecute building law violators in Nigeria.

Senator Theodore Orji Seconded that the Senate received the report on the Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the need to prosecute building law violators in Nigeria.

The Reports were LAID.

*MOTIONS*

1. Need to ensue affordable and accessible mental health care for Nigerians by Senator Remi Tinubu.

Senator Shehu Sani said what makes people mentally unstable in other societies is different from ours, Young men seem more desperate here.

Senator Barau Jibrin said life is full of ups and down, you can be fortunate today and tomorrow its different,the Government should perform its function by ensuring the wellbeing of citizens.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

1. Urge the Ministry of Health at Federal and State levels to embark on mental health sensitization and awareness campaign,

2. Urge the Ministry of Health at all levels to set up free and accessible mental health stations in all Government owned hospitals and clinics across Nigeria,

3. Urge the citizenry to look out for possible symptoms of unhappiness, depression etc. and to seek professional help where necessary.

2. Smuggling- A threat to Nigeria's quest to Self-Sufficiency in Rice Production by Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Senator Adamu Aliero said there was a meeting between the Farmers association and the Comptroller General of Customs, solutions have been proffered. He stated that these Smugglers are in Nigeria and most of them are Asians, the officers in Benin Republic have been notified, we expect a feedback.

Senator Ahmed Lawan said we spend millions importing rice, a drastic measure is needed, if we have to close our borders for sometime,let it be.

Senator Sola Adeyeye said the only market stronger than rice in Nigeria is oil. He stated that because we abandoned Agriculture, we have to Import. Senator Sola Adeyeye said Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) need to be revisited, we need a holistic approach showing relationship between Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

Senator Bala Na'Allah said if when we make firm policies, Smugglers still breach them. The rate of Smuggling in the country is alarming.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the matter will go for public hearing, we need to know what to do to put everything in order. He also said we must ensure there is a corresponding increase in the supply chain, we must check the borders, we will all do our best with the Ministry of Agriculture so that smugglers won't have any incentives.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

1. Urge the Federal Government to intensify border patrol to check the activities of these smugglers,

2. Urge the Federal Government to engage out neighbouring countries where these smuggled rice are discharged by ships and transported to the country, and

3. Mandate the Committee on customs, excise and tariff to carry out a holistic investigation on the operation of comprehensive import supervision scheme (CISS) and identify those behind the smuggling of rice and other items into Nigeria with a view to bringing them to book.

Senator Na'Allah added that the Federal Government should work out import duty for rice and incentives for farmers. Senator Sola Adeyeye seconded the additional prayer.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said Senator Hope Uzodinma should look into the Importation of Plastic Rice.

*ADJOURNMENT*

Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 14th June, 2017.

*#GavelBangs*TodayInPlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY 13TH JUNE, 2017*

It's a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President Bukola Saraki took the official prayer and led the chamber into today's proceedings.

Senator Yusuf Abubakar moved for the approval of Votes and Proceedings of Friday 9th June, 2017. Senator Ogembe seconded.

*EXECUTIVE SESSION*
Senate now moved into an Executive Session.

Senate resumed from its Executive Session and Senate President Bukola Saraki Reported Progress that at the executive session Senate deliberated on issues bothering on the workings of the Senate and the National Assembly in general.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*

Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) requesting the confirmation of Abdulahi Attah as the chairman of Federal Capital Tereitory (FCT) Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) board.

*ANNOUNCEMENT *

Senate President Bukola Saraki made announcements and welcomed staffs and students who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.

*POINT OF ORDER*


Senator Rose Oko cited order 43 on personal explanation about the death of Miss Joy through cocaine poisoning after invitation to the house of Alhaji Usman Adamu.

Senator Aliero cited order 39(5) and 40 and stated that the letter of confirmation of board chairman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) shouldn't come from Federal Capital Territory(FCT) minister.

Senator Dino Melaye cited order 14 and informed the Senate of the attack on His life from the Governor of Kogi State in a visit to the State and said all he wants is for Salaries and Pension of the citizens of Kogi state to be paid.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu cited order 14(2)c and stated that it is clear on the security of the people and appealed to the Federal and State Government to ensure citizens are protected as well as Properties, Ensure people that indulge in reckless activities don't get away. He stated that this is condemnable and should not be allowed on any democratic system. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said those who sustained injuries, GOD should heal them and they should get proper treatment from the hospital.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS - FIRST READING*

1. Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 471) by Senator Joshua Lidani.

2. Federal Polgtechnic Adikpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 494) by Senator Barnabas Gemade.

3. Electricity Theft (Prohibition and Prevention) Bill, 2017 (SB. 496) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

4. Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 504) by Senator David Mark.

*PRESENTATION OF REPORTS*

1. Report of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Senator Dino Melaye.
-That the Senate received the reports of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the following House Bills for Concurrence:

I. Federal Capital Territory Transport Authority (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 91),

II. Federal Capital Territory Hospitals Management Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 441),

III. Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission Bill, 2017 (HBs. 167 and 310),

IV. Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017 (HB. 318).

Senator Remi Tinubu seconded that the Senate received the report of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the House Bills for Concurrence.

2. Report of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development by Senator Barnabas Gemade.
-That the Senate received the report of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the need to prosecute building law violators in Nigeria.

Senator Theodore Orji Seconded that the Senate received the report on the Committee on Housing and Urban Development on the need to prosecute building law violators in Nigeria.

The Reports were LAID.

*MOTIONS*

1. Need to ensue affordable and accessible mental health care for Nigerians by Senator Remi Tinubu.

Senator Shehu Sani said what makes people mentally unstable in other societies is different from ours, Young men seem more desperate here.

Senator Barau Jibrin said life is full of ups and down, you can be fortunate today and tomorrow its different,the Government should perform its function by ensuring the wellbeing of citizens.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

1. Urge the Ministry of Health at Federal and State levels to embark on mental health sensitization and awareness campaign,

2. Urge the Ministry of Health at all levels to set up free and accessible mental health stations in all Government owned hospitals and clinics across Nigeria,

3. Urge the citizenry to look out for possible symptoms of unhappiness, depression etc. and to seek professional help where necessary.

2. Smuggling- A threat to Nigeria's quest to Self-Sufficiency in Rice Production by Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Senator Adamu Aliero said there was a meeting between the Farmers association and the Comptroller General of Customs and solutions have been proffered. He stated that these Smugglers are in Nigeria and most of them are Asians, the officers in Benin Republic have been notified, we expect a feedback.

Senator Ahmed Lawan said we spend millions importing rice,a drastic measure is needed,if we have to close our borders for sometime,let it be.

Senator Sola Adeyeye said the only market stronger than rice in Nigeria is oil. He stated that because we abandoned Agriculture, we have to Import. Senator Sola Adeyeye said Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) need to be revisited, we need a holistic approach showing relationship between Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

Senator Bala Na'Allah said if when we make firm policies, Smugglers still breach them. The rate of Smuggling in the country is alarming.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the matter will go for public hearing, we need to know what to do to put everything in order. He also said we must ensure there is a corresponding increase in the supply chain, we must check the borders, we will all do our best with the Ministry of Agriculture so that smugglers won't have any incentives.

Senate accordingly resolved to:

1. Urge the Federal Government to intensify border patrol to check the activities of these smugglers,

2. Urge the Federal Government to engage out neighbouring countries where these smuggled rice are discharged by ships and transported to the country, and

3. Mandate the Committee on customs, excise and tariff to carry out a holistic investigation on the operation of comprehensive import supervision scheme (CISS) and identify those behind the smuggling of rice and other items into Nigeria with a view to bringing them to book.

Senator Na'Allah added that the Federal Government should work out import duty for rice and incentives for farmers. Senator Sola Adeyeye seconded the additional prayer.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said Senator Hope Uzodinma should look into the Importation of Plastic Rice.

*ADJOURNMENT*

Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Wednesday, 14th June, 2017.

*#GavelBangs*