After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker examined and approved the second votes and proceedings for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
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MOTIONS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
1. Rep. Rotimi Agunsoye moved a motion on the need to strongly condemn the recent increase in the spate of sexual violence against women and girls and it was seconded by Rep. Taiwo Oluga.
Rep. Rotimi in leading the debate expressed worry over the increase in the rate of rape of women and girls, stating that the acts show decay and decline in societal morals. He also laments d the recent extrajudicial killing of a young lady by trigger-happy policemen. He called for a legislative framework that will enshrine safety, inclusion, protection and assurance of the right of women and girls. He called on the inspector general of police to launch a detailed investigation into the increase in such indices and also called on members of the House to dress in black at the next plenary sitting, in solidarity with the women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, and all other forms of violence against humanity worldwide.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila described the rise in these cases as sick, despicable and ungodly acts which cut across all gender.
Rep. Benjamin Obidigwe stated that Nigerians seem to have become accustomed to hearing negative local and international news concerning Nigerians residing worldwide, especially against women. The women being more fragile in society, deserve more protection which should be a given. He called for the strengthening of laws against child/women trafficking and that of assault to protect the rights of the more vulnerable.
Contributing, Rep. Lanre Oladapo called for the urgent correction of the social vices and mentality that makes rape thrive. He urged the House for a definite resolution to make rape punishable by capital punishment.
In her contribution, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha praised the male members of the House for their equal disgust at the rising cases of sexual violence against women. She expressed worry; and wondered why the security agencies who have been mandated by the House of Representatives to fish out trigger-happy personnel have failed to do so, leading to the continuation of extrajudicial killings. She called for the speedy conclusion and outcome of all these investigations to be made known to concerned parties, the in-conclusion of such cases she stated gives impunity to such criminal minds.
Rep. Shehu Koko called for the implementation of spelt-out laws for crimes committed as a deterrent to those involved in such acts.
Rep. Koko called on all interests in the case from the investigating police, the victims, members of the society and health service providers to be highly responsive to such cases.
Rep. Henry Archibong called for seriousness in implementing the relevant laws. Rep. Archibong also bemoaned the decay of societal institutions which should ensure the emergence of responsible members of society. These institutional failures he attributed to negligence, economic constraints and economic challenges.
Rep. Kabir Ibrahim called for the reorientation of members of society as a means of tackling societal decay. He called on the education of both male and female children to respect the rights of their same and opposite sexes. He further called for the strengthening of prohibitive laws and stiffer penalties for those caught as rapists.
Rep. Abubakar Suleiman condemned the way and manner victims of rape are stigmatized by the society. He called on the passing of a legislature that will protect rape victims. He also advocated for the establishment of a name-and-shame mechanism to identify convicted rapists and make their identities known so that it can act as a punishment for the culprits, a deterrent to others who would want to do the same, closure for the victims as well as a triumph for the system.
Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu condemned the high decay of morality in the society in recent times. She called for an immediate stop to violence against women and girls.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Gbajabiamila called on the House committees on Women Affairs, Justice and Human Rights to do a thorough work to ensure that the clear terms of rape are outlined so that the laws and consequences can be explicit.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha rose to propose an amendment that state governments should domesticate the child rights Act, violence against persons Act and anti-rape laws and properly implement them.
Rep. Shehu Koko proposed an amendment that the inspector general of police should set up a unit in all police stations nationwide dedicated to deal with such social crimes and adequately equip them.
Rep. Tolu Sadipe proposed an amendment to advocate for security officers to be held culpable if they use their office to aid and abate rapists.
Rep. Taiwo Oluga proposed an amendment that the House should declare a state of emergency on sexual violence by ensuring deterrent laws are properly implemented.
Rep. Babajimi Benson proposed an amendment to procure and provide for appropriate infrastructure to forensically prove rape.
Rep. Dolapo Badru proposed an amendment to publicize rapists to deter the act.
Rep. Ndudi Elumelu called on the Committee on Justice to interface with relevant agencies to implement the relevant laws and provide incentives as an encouragement to those who provide adequate information to the apprehension of rapists.
Rep. Benjamin Obidigwe proposed an amendment to seek clarification on why members should wear all black on the next plenary sitting, stating that it should be for victims of rape and other such violence in Nigeria, and not encompass violence worldwide.
Rep. Sam Chinedu proposed an amendment to encompass male subjects as victims of rape, as men are also harassed sometimes.
Rep. Omowumi Olubunmi proposed an amendment that inconclusive rape cases should be speedily concluded by the Judiciary.
The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House Committees on Justice, Human Rights and Women Affairs to work on the amendments and get back to the House within four weeks.
2. Rep. Sada Soli moved a motion on the need for the relevant security agencies to bring to an end the spate of increase in killings, kidnapping and armed banditry attacks across Nigeria and it was seconded by Rep. Obinna Chidoka.
Rep. Soli in leading the debate stated that the security situation in some parts of the country has degenerated, while criminal activities have become a daily occurrence in many states of the country. He called for a more sustained tempo on security interventions to keep such criminals at bay. He stated that the unabated nature of these attacks has made the insecurity situation alarming.
Rep. Soli further stated that the Northwest and North-central parts of Nigeria may face food shortage as farmers are afraid of going to their farms now, this he stated would be even more devastating considering the effect the coronavirus pandemic has already inflicted on the resources of Nigerians.
He called on the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as well as the Director General (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS) to continue to brief the House monthly on steps being made and effected to decisively tackle the situation until normalcy is restored. Rep. Muhammad Bargaja stated that the last couple of days in the Northwestern part of Nigeria has been destructive with incidents of killings, kidnappings, armed banditry and cattle rustling being a daily occurrence.
Rep. Obinna Chidoka in his contribution also expressed concern over such inhuman events in the country, stating that insecurity would drive out people from their communities and make them vulnerable to more hazards when they are forced to move. Rep. Chidoka called for the positive harnessing of the human resources of the teeming youth so that they can be positively applied, instead of being active participants in crime and criminality.
Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu commended the mover of the motion as well as Rep. Bargaja for keeping such issues in the form of engagement. She termed as unfortunate the insecurity the Nigerian masses have to endure. Rep. Ikpeazu called on leaders on all fronts of government to continue to do more for the safety of Nigerians.
Rep. Dennis Amadi called for the positive engagement of the teeming youth of the country as their frustration seems to be akin to a keg of gunpowder that can explode at any time.
Rep. Amadi expressed frustration at the way youth with ideas cannot get capital for business unless they possess huge collateral or influential relations, showing a case of dire hopelessness for normal ingenious intellectuals or proposed entrepreneurs.
Rep. Omowumi Olubunmi asked those saddled with securing the nation to be more proactive in discharging their duties. She called on the leadership of the House to interphase with the security agencies as the spate of insecurity lately has become unbearable.
Rep. Bamidele Salam wondered why it seems the police who should be the ones maintaining national peace have been overwhelmed. He called on the principal actors in the Executive arm of government to change tactics in dealing with the criminals, as the normal way seems not to be working.
Rep. Salam also decried the rise in drug use amongst Nigerian youth, attributing it as a catalyst and motivation for this sustained lawless kind of lifestyle.
Rep. Babajimi Benson stated that the military might not quell the effects of economic problems, he stated that the economic issues should be effectively tackled. Rep. Benson further stated that the armed forces are supposed to deal with external aggression.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that there is poverty all over the world, so financial lack is not an excuse for criminality, and that the armed forces have a role of suppressing internal aggression.
The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase expressed profound sadness at the rising state of criminality. He wondered why the security agencies which have huge funds appropriated to them cannot effectively bring the problem of criminality and insurgency to a halt. He stated that there seems to be no synergy between the different security agencies, as well as between the security agencies and the communities in which they operate. Rep. Wase called for the implementation of drastic measures to tackle insurgency as those at the head of security who should be saddled with national security seem not to be doing their job.
He called for the briefing of the House by the heads of the security forces why the problem seems unsolvable. Rep. Muntari Mohammed stated that the way and manner the security agencies are handling the banditry situation is unfortunate, as they also constitute a hardship to the communities as a result of extortion. He lamented how people are being kidnapped and harassed unabated by criminals and that the security agents seem not to have a clue on how to contain them. He called for the change of the service chiefs which is long overdue.
Rep. Robert Aondona called for a drastic overhaul of the Nigerian security machinery as it has become highly ineffective. Rep. Ibrahim Malle wondered why kidnappers who use mobile phones to communicate with the families of their victims cannot be traced and apprehended when the ministry of communication has assured Nigerians that all mobile lines have been duly registered. Rep. Malle called for the implementation of appropriated funds for the procurement of the security equipment for which they are appropriated.
Rep. Victor Mela stated that the resignation of the service chiefs is long overdue as the issue of security should not be trifled with. He expressed the desire to resign his membership of the House in two months if nothing serious is done in the case of security, as he cannot in good faith continue to contribute to meaningful and far-reaching resolutions which are never implemented by those who seem not to be touched by the plights of the suffering Nigerians.
Rep. Kazaure Gudaji called on the government to show the same seriousness attached to battling the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the administration of the social safety nets should be attached to combatting the problem of insecurity. He called on the Department of State Services to be more proactive and responsive to intelligence gathering and dissemination to the police to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians, especially as those who are usually targeted are rural farmers and cattle herders. He called for more action before Nigerians become frustrated and start taking laws into their own hands. Rep. Gudaji condemned the seeming lack of seriousness on the part of the security agencies in tackling these hoodlums who are based in the forests, while the security agencies patrol the cities.
Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha wondered why those who have failed in ensuring the security of the nation sit tight even after failing the country and still refuse to resign.
Rep. Abass Adekunle called for more manpower recruitment into the armed forces and security agencies, as they seem to be overwhelmed with the population and a landmass of Nigeria. Rep. Adekunle also advocated for state police so that the police can be more in communication/ tandem with the communities within which they operate.
Rep. Adejare Samuel called for proper protection of the Nigerian borders and assurance of internal security by those who are saddled with such responsibility. He expressed dismay at the way and manner with which the service chiefs seem to be so insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Rep. Emeka Azubogu bemoaned the porosity of the Nigerian entry points. He called for the proper means of identifying aliens even on the streets.
Rep. Azubogu called for proper national dialogue with all stakeholders to bring an end to the spate of insecurity of the nation.
Rep. Abubakar Yalleman called for the encouragement and commendation of security operatives as they too are human with their challenges and shortcomings.
Rep. Ifeanyi Momah wondered why serious resolutions taken on the floor of the House concerning insecurity do not receive the due application of the executive?
Rep. Isiaka Ayokunle called for a national peace conference between all stakeholders to ensure peace is attained.
Rep. Ademorin Kuye called for the House to give sufficient effect to Section 217 of the Nigerian constitution, this he said is a mandate explicitly spelt out and enshrined in Section 219 of the constitution. He called for continuous interphase with the service chiefs as to why they are not doing enough in the fight against insecurity. Rep. Kuye wondered at the lack of synergy between security agencies in combatting the bandits.
Rep. Toby Okechukwu stated that the current security situation of Nigeria is catastrophic and highly tragic. He wondered how the masses can be protected when even the rich are feeling afraid and vulnerable.
Rep. Ahmad Abdullahi called on the executive arm of government to pay heed to sensitive resolutions of the House on security issues as all arms of government are supposed to be united towards achieving the peace and progress of Nigeria as a nation.
Rep. Chinyere Igwe stated that the right to life of Nigerians is being disenfranchised as if they live in a state of anarchy which is heartbreaking. He stated that parliamentarians are duty-bound to ensure that the right to life of all Nigerians is upheld and the service chiefs need to be summoned to explain why the lives of Nigerians cannot seem to be ensured.
Rep. Lanre Olanrewaju bemoaned the depth of degradation of the armed forces who used to be the best in Africa and called for a reawakening of the great Nigerian spirit.
Rep. Igariwey Enwo called for the return to the times when Nigerians respected the rights of their kinsmen and did not indulge in the wanton waste of lives and properties, as well as criminality being witnessed today.
Rep. Mohammed Monguno stated with profound sadness that some people in a community in Borno State were recently attacked by criminals masquerading as Boko Haram insurgents and had to defend themselves. What he said was most sad was that these attacks had gone on for some time with no intervention from security forces, that is why the villagers had to stand up for themselves. The effect was that the criminals went to regroup, came back and wiped out the entire helpless village. He called for the emulation of the Chadian example whose president, former military personnel had to personally lead the armed forces to stamp out insecurity Boko Haram out of Chad.
Rep. Sada Soli in his right of reply called for the maintenance of peace and that Nigerians should not resort to carrying of arms which will result in anarchy. He called for the political will to enforce the right resolutions made on the floor of the House. Rep. Soli also called on the Service Chiefs to be patriotic and either does the job for which they’re being paid or resign.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila called on Chairmen of the relevant House Committees on Security matters to code the take-aways of the robust debate into legislative forms and implored all such relevant House Security Committees to ensure all the contributions showcasing lapses in the relevant sections of the Acts regulating the security agencies are effectively amended for proactive implementation.
The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the relevant committees of the House who are to work on it and get back to the House for further legislative action.
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BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Animal Diseases (Control) Act, Cap A17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Animal Diseases (Control) Bill for the Purpose of Prevention, Detection, Control, and Eradication of Infectious and Contagious Transboundary and Zoonotic Animal Diseases; the Prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance through the Control and Regulation of the use and Administration of Veterinary Biologics, Veterinary Drugs and Chemicals in Animals, Animal Products, and Medicated Animal Feeds as well as the Sales and Distribution of Pet Foods, Veterinary Medical Devices and Other Veterinary Products; and for the Enhancement of Animal Welfare and Food Safety; and Other Matters Connected Therewith (HB. 428) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
2. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Commission for Refugees Act, Cap. N21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Act for the Management, Rehabilitation, Return, Reintegration and Resettlement of Refugees, Migrants and Victims of Displacement; and for Related Matters (HB. 171) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Victor Mela.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Film Corporation Act, Cap. N109, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Film Commission Act, 2020, to Regulate and Develop the Film Industry in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 324) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Victor Mela.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, No. 17, 2017 to Allocate one percent of the Maritime Funds to the Fund Established under Section 6 of the Maritime Operation Coordinating Board Act; and for Related Matters (HB. 477) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Victor Mela.
The Bill was voted on, approved for third reading, the Clerk read the long title and it was passed.
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Adjournment:
The House at 3:33 PM adjourned plenary till Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
