*#TodayInPlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 11TH OCTOBER, 2017.*

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President Bukola Saraki took the official Prayer and led the Chambers into today’s proceedings at 10.54am.

Senator Andy Uba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 10th of October 2017. Senator Emmanuel Paulker seconded.

*ANNOUNCEMENT*
Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomed people who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary.

*PETITIONS*
Senator Obinna Ogba raised a Petition on behalf of a member of his Constituency for wrongful termination from Fidelity Bank Plc.

Senator Jibrin Barau raised 2 Petitions
1. From 2 members of his constituency against wrongful dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force and sought for reinstatement

2. Also intervention of Market situation that was raided by hoodlum at night who made away with goods.

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred all Petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Pubic Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS- Second Reading*
1. A Bill for an Act to make it an offense for vacant positions in the Federal Civil Service to be filled without their being advertised and for other Matters connected therewith,2017 (SB. 52) by Senator Biodun Olujimi.

Senator James Manager said ‘that this Bill is for the people, said that it is a very important Bill and thanked Senator Olujimi for putting up the Bill’.

Senator Adamu Aliero said ‘that proper advertising measures are put in place but the heads sideline the advertising process and employ their family members’.

The Bill for an Act to make it an offense for vacant positions in the Federal Civil Service to be filled without their being advertised and for other matters connected therewith,2017 (SB.52) is read the second time.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said ‘it’s a very important Bill for the people as the Bill will definitely help Nigerians feel a sense of belonging and a fighting chance in meriting employment, he also said we will make effort to fast track the establishment of the Bill’.

2. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and other Matters therewith 2017 (SB. 469) by Senator Abubakar Kyari.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said ‘I have never seen electoral offenders punished properly and I therefore support the Bill’.

Senator Shehu Sani said ‘we can’t have a democracy without a free and fair election, this commission will further sanitize our elections, he also said this will be a stepping stone to giving our democracy the credence it deserves’.

A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission, 2017 (SB. 469) is read the second time.

Senate President said ‘I am sure that at the establishment of this Bill, electoral processes will run smoothly’.

Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission and Judiciary to report back in 4weeks.

*CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*
1. Report of the Senate Committees. 2017 Budget of Corporations and Agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Senate Leader.
-That the Senate do consider the report of the Senate Committees on the 2017 Budget of Corporations and Agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senator Theodore Orji read the report of the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development and the report was approved.

2. Committee: Capital Market.
Government Owned Enterprise: Securities and Exchange Commission.

Senator Bukar Ibrahim read the report of the Committee on Capital Market and the report was approved as amended.

3. Committee: Interior.
Government Owned Enterprise: Nigerian Immigration Service.

Senator Andy Uba read the report on the Committee on Interior.

Senators contributed to the report on the Committee on Interior and express their worries over the lack of transparency and well documented budget report from the immigration service.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said ‘the report of the Committee on Interior cannot be approved until they come to resolve all issues raised’.

Senate resolved that a technical Committee be constituted comprising of chairman and vice chairman of Committees on Anti-corruption, judiciary and Interior to be headed by the Committee on Interior alongside Ministry Of justice, interior and Comptroller General of immigration and Economic Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to investigate into revenue and expenditure of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to report back in 2 weeks.

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

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 12th October, 2017

*#GavelBangs*

*Signed:*
Department of Digital Communications ,
Office of The President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria.