Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, December 1st, 2020
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presiding.
After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker examined and approved the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, November 25th, 2020
______________________________
COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT
1. Transmission of the Finance Bill 2020 to the House of Representatives for consideration and passage into Law for the support of the implementation of the 2021 budget.
______________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The House has passed the Federal university Auchi establishment Bill and the Senate has also passed the same Bill with differences. Membership of a harmonizing committee chaired on the part of the House by Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata was announced.
2. Committees of the House should ensure they submit reports of Bills and Motions referred to them within 6 months. All such outstanding reports should be submitted by January 2021
3. Members wishing to submit Bills for consideration on the floor of the House should submit both soft and hard copies to the committee on rules and business
______________________________
PETITIONS
Rep. Aminu Suleiman laid a petition on behalf of a complainant who was wrongfully omitted from a scheme he was entitled to and had fulfilled all requirements for. He craved the intervention of the House on the issue.
Rep. Chinyere Igwe laid a petition from a law firm in a bid to correct the human rights abuses meted on residents of a community in Rivers state.
Rep. Shaba Ibrahim laid a petition from a complainant over the wrongful termination of his employment from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, he craved the House to give justice to his petition
All petitions were referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions.
______________________________
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
1. Rep. Yusuf Gagdi moved a motion on the urgent need to respond to the deliberate attempt by a member of the British House of Commons to rubbish the image of former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon Rtd. and it was seconded by Rep. Leke Abejide.
Rep. Gagdi stated that the utterance of the member of the British Parliament who leads the committee on foreign affairs alleged without substantiating his claims that former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon who is represented in the House by Rep. Gagdi had looted the central bank of Nigeria and transferred the same funds outside Nigeria. Rep. Gagdi wondered why a seasoned parliamentarian would utter such unsubstantiated claims possible of inciting violence in Nigeria. He called on the Speaker of the House to write to the speaker of the British Parliament and express the displeasure of the House at the libellous statement against the well respected Nigerian leader. He also called for a public apology from the parliamentarian who made the allegations. Rep. Gagdi also called for the invitation of the British High commissioner to Nigeria to explain to the House why the member of parliament has not retracted his statement despite repeated calls from well-meaning Nigerians. Rep. Gagdi expressed sadness at what he termed the deliberate aim of smearing the good reputation gained over the years by General Yakubu Gowon, and diminish the role of the elder statesman for all Nigerians.
Rep. Kingsley Chinda proposed an amendment to the prayer of the motion to urge the committee on inter-parliamentary relations and that on foreign affairs to investigate the issue as the statement emanated from the committee level and is not the official position of the entire British parliament.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila noted that the statement was indeed unfortunate as statements in parliament should be used as shields for the people and not as swords aiming to sow discord among nations and people. He affirmed that the resolution as made by the House will be conveyed to the British parliament accordingly.
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
2. Rep. Satomi Ahmed moved a motion on the urgent need to investigate and condemn the needless killing of over 40 farmers in Borno State by suspected Boko haram insurgents and it was seconded by Rep. Nicholas Ossai.
Rep. Satomi while expressing deep grief at the waste of human life, also expressed worry at the state of the individuals still missing. He called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the security sector nationwide. Quoting the Borno State governor Prof. Zulum, Rep. Satomi stated that the people of Borno state are caught between 2 extremes: if they stay home, hunger could end their existence, and if they go to their farms, they could be killed by insurgents. Rep. Satomi also urged the House to set up a committee to commiserate with the governor and people of Borno state over the tragedy. He wondered why all the resolutions of the House on insecurity has not yielded the expected result from the security agencies.
Rep. Toby Okechukwu proposed an amendment to the prayers of the motion that the House Committees on Army and Defense should ascertain the Defense Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) on the preparedness of the organization to manufacture arms and ammunition for the Nigerian army and investigate/ascertain the state of the arms that should have been imported long ago.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha also moved an amendment calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to come and brief the House on the security situation of the country, especially the prevailing situation in the Northeastern part of the nation.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila while relating and understanding the emotions of Rep. Jaha and other members called for understanding as the channel of explaining security issues is confidential. The speaker also explained that the prayer for the motion on the need to declare a state of emergency on security issues should suffice for the yearnings of all parties and ensure all far-reaching measures are achieved.
The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa pleaded for understanding among members so that the government will discharge its duties of providing for the security and wellness of citizens.
This position was also reiterated by Rep. Shehu Koko.
The motion was voted on adopted as amended.
______________________________
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
1. Nigerian Council for Management Development Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1119) (Rep. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
2. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1109) (Rep. Anthony Afe Oberuakpefe) – First Reading.
3. Communal Farm (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1110) (Rep. Anthony Afe Oberuakpefe) – First Reading.
4. Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food and Drug Administration and Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1126) (Rep. Pascal C. Obi) – First Reading.
5. Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1120) (Rep. Muhammed Umar Jega) – First Reading.
6. Casual Workers Rights Protection Bill, 2020 (HB. 1106) (Rep. Anthony Afe Oberuakpefe) – First Reading.
7. Nigeria Shea Butter Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1121) (Rep. Usman Abdullahi) – First Reading.
8. National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1127) (Rep. Pascal C. Obi) – First Reading.
9. Federal Medical Centre, Koko (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1122) (Rep. Thomas Ereyitomi) – First Reading.
10. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1123) (Rep. Abubakar Yahya Kusada) – First Reading.
11. University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Board, Etc.) Act (Amendment)Bill, 2020 (HB. 1124) (Rep. Abubakar Yahya Kusada) – First Reading.
12. National Renewable Energy Development (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1125) (Rep. Abubakar Yahya Kusada) – First Reading.
13. Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1128) (Rep. Pascal C. Obi) – First Reading.
14. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1129) (Rep. Pascal C. Obi) – First Reading.
15. Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1130) (Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing) – First Reading.
16. National Tuber Crops Research Institute, Ukum, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1131) (Rep.Richard Gbande) – First Reading.
17. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 1132) (Rep. Adejeoro Adeogun) – First Reading.
______________________________
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the Petition by Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 Others:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 Others against the Nigeria Defence Academy on the unlawful withdrawal and relegation of Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 Others” (Referred:4/10/2020).
The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Alagbaoso and seconded by Rep. Aminu Ashiru Mani.
2. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the Petition by Mr. Samuel Umeadi Mogekwu:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Mr. Samuel Umeadi Mogekwu against the Central Bank of Nigeria for his wrongful dismissal from service and the blunt refusal of the Bank to comply with the resolution of the House (Referred: 19/11/2019).
The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Alagbaoso and seconded by Rep. Aminu Ashiru Mani.
3. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the Petition by Hamza Ridwan B. A:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Hamza Ridwan B. A. against the Unity Bank Plc and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the Fundamental Issues in the Bank (Referred:24/9/2020)
The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Alagbaoso and seconded by Rep. Aminu Ashiru Mani.
4. Committee on Public Petitions:
Report on the Petition by Support Staff of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company:
Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Public Petitions on the Petition by Support Staff of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Delta State against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on their continuous casualization” (Referred:1/8/2019).
The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Alagbaoso and seconded by Rep. Aminu Ashiru Mani.
______________________
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, Cap. N40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Film and Video Censorship, Classification and Exhibition Regulatory Commission Bill for Classification of Films, Video Works, Musical Videos and Video Games; and for Related Matters (HB.514) (Rep. Olusegun Odebunmi) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Odebunmi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ajibola Muraina.
Rep. Odebunmi in leading the debate said that the Bill seeks to repeal the existing Act as it is and enact one that will be compliant to critical aspects of classification, filming etc. According to him, this will ensure the discouragement of the activities of pirates, boost productivity levels, ensure finished products meet international standards and ensure the expected revenue base for the industry and due remittances to the country at large.
The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology.
2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Defence Academy Act, Cap. N101, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provision for Establishment of Additional Campuses to give more Opportunities to Nigerian Youths wishing to take up careers in the Military; and for Related Matters (HB. 910) (Rep. Aniekan Umana) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Umana moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Munir Baba Dan-Agundi.
Rep. Umana leading the debate stated that the Bill proposes to open up opportunities in the Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) for Nigerians seeking military careers, as the number of applications of interest to the academy received from intended candidates has multiplied over the years. The single campus of the academy is inadequate to cater to the increase in applicants, he noted. The huge number of Nigerians seeking to have military careers need to be satisfied considering the present state of insecurity in Nigeria.
The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Defense.
3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Human Rights Commission Act, Cap. N46, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2020 to strengthen the Commission to conduct Investigations and sustain activities in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 1072) (Rep. John Dyegh and Rep. Onofiok Luke) – Second Reading.
Consideration of the Bill stepped down due to the absence of its sponsors.
4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electric Power Sector Reforms Act to Provide for Electricity Distribution Companies to Reimburse any Power Consumer who incurs expenses in the Acquisition and Maintenance of Electricity Apparatus Connected to the National Grid in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 287) (Rep. Rollannd Igbakpa) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Igbakpa moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ahmed Jaha.
Rep. Igbakpa in leading the debate stated that the Bill is people-oriented, seeking to ensure Nigerians enjoy affordable and safe electricity. He said it is not a progressive practice for Nigerians to have to repair or replace electricity transformers without due compensation, as this is to their disenfranchisement. He blamed some of the exorbitant expenses consumers expend to carry out these services on negligence on the part of the electricity distribution companies.
Rep. Aliyu Magaji in speaking against the Bill stated that the electricity distribution companies have suffered tremendously due to lack of infrastructure and availability of the duly required enabling environment to thrive. The companies have just begun to break even due to the unfavourable business environment of the past while adding that the distribution companies have assured that they will continue to act in favour of consumers.
Rep. Ndudi Elumelu stated that the Bill seeks to ensure the right of Nigerians as it relates to electricity service-delivery satisfaction and cure some of the excesses suffered by Nigerians at the hands of the electricity distribution companies.
Rep. Obinna Chidoka condemned some sharp practices perpetrated on Nigerians by some staff of some of the electricity distribution companies which are part of the causes of the dwindling level of electricity supply.
The Bill was voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Power.
_____________________________
MOTIONS
5. Need to Investigate the Gruesome Murder of a Popular Trado-Medical Practitioner, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf A.K.A Oko. Oloyun:
Rep. S. Ajibola Muraina
The House:
Notes the gruesome murder of a popular Trado–Medical Practitioner, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf (Oko Oloyun) on Thursday 23 January 2020 while he was travelling along the Abeokuta–Igboora Iseyin Road in Oyo State by hoodlums who overwhelmed his two police escorts;
Also notes that the deceased was killed at a point that is between two police checkpoints on the Eruwa–Igboora road which is noted for cases of kidnapping and robbery, but had rarely recorded cases of hired assassination;
Further notes that preliminary investigation by the police showed that Alhaji Yusuf was assassinated hours after some of his workers set fire on some financial bookkeeping records due to an alleged book-keeping fraud he detected in his Lagos office;
Recalls that in 2019 dastardly attacks were carried out at Eruwa, Lanlate Igangan, Tapa and Ayete, Igboora and Idere in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State by armed bandits and criminal element, notorious for kidnappings, rape and extortion of large sums of money from victims;
Cognizant that the level of insecurity is attributed to the inability of security operatives to secure the area, a development that negates the provisions of section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government, thus leaving the people with no other option than to resort to vigilante groups to tackle banditry, kidnappings and other criminal activities;
Resolves to:
(i) observe a minute of silence in honour of the deceased;
(ii) urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct a thorough investigation into the gruesome murder of Alhaji Fatai Yusuf and to review the security architecture of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Ibarapa North Local Government and Ibarapa East Local Government Areas of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole and also upgrade Igangan Police Station in Ibarapa North Local Government Area to a Divisional Police headquarters for effective policing of the Local Government Area;
(iii) also urge the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to carry out rehabilitation work on the Abeokuta–Igboora–Iseyin–Sokoto road;
(iv) mandate the Committees on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Police Affairs to ensure compliance;
(v) set-up an Ad–hoc Committee to visit and commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased and the people and Government of Oyo State over the death of their illustrious son, whose death not only hurt his family, but also dealt a huge blow to many people benefiting from him.
Debate
Rep. Muraina moved the motion on the need to investigate the gruesome murder of a popular trado-medical practitioner, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf A.K.A Oko. Oloyun and it was seconded by Rep. Babangida Ibrahim.
As an investigative motion, it was voted on and adopted.
6. Need to Regulate the Movement of Articulated Vehicles, Especially Fuel Tankers, on Nigerian
Roads:
Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive.
The House
Notes that tanker explosion accidents have become regular occurrence on Nigerian roads and have continued to claim lives and properties on a regular basis, the most recent being the Onitsha tanker explosion which occurred on Friday, 18 October, 2020, barely 24 hours after a tanker laden with petroleum products fell into a ditch and spilled its content in the same town;
Also notes the regular accidents caused by trucks transporting containers from the ports to different parts of the country with cases of containers falling on the high way and crushing other vehicles and their occupants;
Aware that the Anambra State Government, in a publication dated November 2, 2019, restricted the movement of articulated vehicles, especially tankers with petroleum products to the hours of 8 pm to 5 am following incessant accidents in the State;
Also aware that besides the loss of lives and properties caused by the accidents, the roads also suffer as they lack the capacity to carry such heavy-duty vehicles loaded with goods, resulting in huge expenditure on road maintenance yearly, and in some other cases, being the major cause of traffic congestion in different parts of the country, thereby slowing down economic activities;
Cognizant that pipeline transmission is the safest mode of oil transportation and has been adopted by several civilized countries as it requires significantly less energy to operate than trucks or rail and also have a lower carbon footprint;
Also cognizant that the Federal Government has been working hard on revamping the Nigerian railway system in order to create an alternative approach to haulage of petroleum and other products, however, there is an urgent need to enforce strict driving rules, safety standards and road worthiness of articulated vehicles, as well as regulate their movements across the country;
Believes that the policy of the Anambra State Government can be adopted nationwide, particularly in major cities, so as to protect the lives and properties of the citizens pending when alternative means of transportation of goods will be put in place;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Road Safety Commission to enforce strict driving rules, restrict the movement of articulated vehicles within major cities to between 9 pm to 8 am, ensure road worthiness for articulated vehicles and also that their drivers possess mental health certification;
(ii) also urge the Federal Ministry of Transport to acquire cargo trains for transportation of goods;
(iii) mandate the Committees on Land Transport and Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure compliance.
Motion stepped down due to the absence of its mover
7. Need to Ensure Strict Compliance with COVID–19 Guidelines and Protocols as Schools
Resume:
Rep. Beni Lar:
The House:
Notes that due to community transmission of COVID–19 the Government announced the closure of Schools in March 2020;
Also notes that the mode of transmission of coronavirus is through contact with an infected person and aerosols;
Again notes that COVID–19 guidelines require Schools to have good ventilation, social distancing, facemasks and frequent hand washing facilities;
Aware that the closure of Schools has affected children negatively and in some countries like Israel, Lebanon, South Korea, Iran etc., they impose the lockdown on Schools after reopening because of a resurgence of the virus;
Also aware that Article 6. 4 of the Federal Ministry of Education Guidelines for Schools reopening recommends that before reopening, all Schools must strictly adhere to all COVID–19 Protocols;
Concerned that unless COVID–19 guidelines are strictly complied with Nigeria may witness another resurgence of the virus;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Presidential Task Force on COVID–19 to ensure that there is strict compliance with COVID–19 guidelines in all Schools in Nigeria and that testing and isolation centres be setup on Campuses to ensure aggressive testing on Schools and Campuses;
(ii) also urge the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to carry out aggressive testing and quarterly review of the rate of transmission;
(iii) further urge the Federal Government to direct that the number of students in a given class be minimized to comply with social distancing measures;
(iv) mandate the Ad–hoc Committee on COVID–19 and Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to carry out a joint quarterly oversight on Campuses and Schools to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Motion stepped down due to the absence of its mover
8. Need to Eliminate the Menace of Illicit Drugs and their Attendant Consequences:
Rep. Francis Ottah Agbo:
The House:
Notes that there is an organic correlation between the level of narcotic drug abuse and the frequency and severity of crimes in every society including Nigeria, as a result a vicious cycle of drugs–crimes are created, hence it is not surprising that those arrested for various types of crimes are drug addicts and traffickers;
Also notes that the incidents of drug abuse and addiction knows not age limits, as children adolescent and youths are getting more involved in criminal activities;
Regrets that the proliferation of drug abuse and the demand for illicit substances has created an underground economy where crimes flourish as opportunistic criminals battle for turf and proceeds while at the same time exploiting addicts, corrupting and victimizing innocent members of the society;
Aware that experience has shown the correlation with the current insecurity problems and increased abuse of illegal substances;
Also aware that it is against this backdrop that President Muhammadu Buhari constituted the Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse, chaired by a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.);
Conscious of the fact that the culture of drugs and bloodshed is spreading fast as Nigeria is transiting from a trafficking corridor to a nest of Barons who possess enormous financial resources and live ostentatiously, consume conspicuously and glamorize both illicit drug use and drug trafficking;
Concerned that Cannabis which is described by the World Health Organization as the most abused drug globally is the commonly used hard drug in Nigeria that can be found virtually everywhere in the country;
Also concerned of the growing trend abuse of synthetic and designer drugs by Nigerians coupled with the increase in the number of Household items and other easily-accessible narcotizing agents such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, plant thinner, glue, codeine-laced cough syrup, cement, and animal excreta which are widely abused in Nigeria;
Worried that the tragic phenomenon now affects all strata and demographic groups of Nigerian society;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Government to develop preventive strategies such as creating a general as well as a demographically-targeted enlightening campaign against drug abuse and its consequences and to direct the National Orientation Agency to device enlightenment Campaign Programme against drug abuse in the country;
(ii) also urge the Federal Government to ensure increased funding of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and to direct all relevant Federal Government Health Institutions to develop new and improved treatments to help people with substance abuse disorders recover and achieve a normal life;
(iii) further urge the Federal Government to establish functional rehabilitation centers which will have the financial and bureaucratic status of Specialists Hospitals with Psychiatrists, Psychologist, Toxicologists, Professional Councilors and other Experts to manage these Hospitals;
(iiii) mandate the Committees on Narcotic Drugs and Health Care Services to ensure the implementation of the resolution and report back within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.
Motion stepped down due to the absence of its mover
9. Need to Address the Increasing Rate of Brain Drain of Medical Personnel from Nigeria:
Rep. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson:
The House:
Notes that Nigeria has one of the leading stocks of human resources for health in Africa but has failed to meet the health attention of its over 200 million people as a result of brain drain;
Also notes that the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in 2016 gave the statistics of about Five Thousand (5,000) medical workers leaving the country annually to developed countries making Nigeria the highest source of foreign born medical practitioners abroad;
Aware from studies that Nigeria has over Ninety Thousand (90,00) qualified Medical Doctors practicing abroad and in fact an average of fifty (50) doctors who had their primary Medical Education in Nigeria are said to be registering for practice every week in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Canada and the Oil rich countries;
Also aware that Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry visit Nigeria every year to conduct screening for intending Medical Practitioner both in Abuja and Lagos to take them to their country for employment and Nigerian doctors are struggling for visa at British Embassy to travel to their country after they have even passed their compulsory Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) exams at the British council;
Observes that some factors responsible for this development in Nigeria are inadequate infrastructure, poor human resources planning and management practices and structures, unsatisfactory working conditions characterized by heavy workloads and other factors such as lack of professional autonomy, poor supervision and support, long working hours, unsafe workplaces, inadequate career structures, poor working conditions and poor compensation packages are the factors contributing to the emigration from the country by surgeons, physicians, nurses and other medical professionals;
Worried that the exodus of medical practitioners in Nigeria has in particular contributed to acute shortages of specialized and experienced health professionals in the country and if not curbed, it will be tough for Nigeria to tackle poverty because health is actually the wealth;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity to review the salary, allowances and welfare of Nigerian medical practitioners;
(ii) call on the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity to consider expanding the size of the medical practitioner in the country to create employment for the unemployed ones and develop a functional strategy that will attract diaspora Medical personnel to work at various teaching hospitals;
(iii) mandate the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure the employment of the Nigerian medical practitioners;
(iv) also mandate the Committee on Healthcare Services to call other relevant stakeholders for an interactive session in other to proffer a lasting solution to Brain Drain of Medical Personnel from Nigeria.
Debate
Rep. Johnson moved the motion on the need to address the increasing rate of brain drain of medical personnel in Nigeria and it was seconded by Rep. Jiba Micah.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
10. Call on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to Rehabilitate the Dilapidated Onitsha–Owerri Road from Oba Axis to Upper Iweka, Onitsha:
Rep. Obinna Chidoka:
The House:
Notes that the Onitsha–Owerri Federal Highway is a major road connecting the four (4) geo-political zones with South–East and South–South Zones;
Further notes that the absence of a functional railway line servicing the area, all the cargo consignments to and from the South–East area of Aba–Owerri–Umuahia and the entire South–South zone passes through the road thereby taking a heavy toll on the road structures;
Observes that the pressure exerted on the road coupled with the erosion of the soil surfaces due to several factors have resulted in a deep gully that has almost split the dual carriageway into two thereby causing serious gridlock from Oba junction to Upper Iweka, Onitsha and constituting enormous danger to unsuspecting motorist;
Further observes that the effect of this unending gridlock on the road is diverting traffic to Obosi roads that are not meant for heavy traffic thereby causing untold hardship and death from avoidable accidents and damages to the township roads;
Convinced that quick palliative measures by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), pending a more permanent reconstruction work, will not only restore the full use of that section of the Onitsha–Owerri road but will preserve the township roads within Obosi and its environs;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to rehabilitate the dilapidated Onitsha–Owerri Road from Oba Axis to Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha;
(ii) mandate the Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure implementation.
Debate
Rep. Chidoka moved the motion on the call on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to rehabilitate the dilapidated Onitsha–Owerri road from Oba Axis to Upper Iweka, Onitsha and it was seconded by Rep. Ofumelu Vincent.
As an infrastructure-related motion, it was voted on and adopted.
______________________________
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presiding.
11. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Protection of Plant Varieties, Establish a Plant Variety Protection Office for the Promotion of Increased Staple Crop Productivity for smallholder farmers in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 68) (Rep. Babba Dan Agundi) – Committee of the Whole 2/7/2020
Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Babba Dan Agundi stated that the Bill seeks to promote productivity in the agricultural research sector for the improvement of agricultural output using the instrumentality of science for the benefit of farmers, especially smallholder farmers and keep them at per with their counterparts internationally in terms of competence, productivity and efficiency.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and carried: 1-3,
Further consideration of the Bill stepped down by leave of the House to enable the Committee to further work on its presentation
______________________________
HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the whole following a motion for the adoption moved by Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata and seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
______________________________
Adjournment:
The House at 15:49 adjourned plenary till Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by Rep. Mohammed Wudil and seconded by the Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.