Summary of Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

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National Assembly

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presided.

PRESENTATION OF REPORT

Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission: Rep. Akinfolarin Mayowa Samuel:

“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Road Safety Commission Training Institutions as Capacity Building Institutions for training in Road Traffic Administration and Safety Management, provide Professional Training for Members of the Corps; and for Related Matters (HBs 1619, 1620, 1621 and 1622)” (Referred: 16/12/2021). The report was laid.

ORDERS OF THE DAY-BILLS

 1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal High Court Act, Cap. F12, Laws of the Federal 2004 to Provide for the increase in the Number of Judges from 100 to 150 and to make Provisions for the Regulation of the Award of Prejudgment in Relation to Claims Bothering on Commercial Transactions in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 2186) (Senate) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed, and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act, Cap. F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to include Federal College of Education Technical, Agaie, Niger State; and for Related Matters (HB. 2080) (Rep. Abdullahi Mamudu) – Second Reading. Bill stepped down by leave of the House

3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, Cap. S9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Standards organization of Nigeria Bill, 2022 for the purpose of providing additional functions for the Organisation, increasing penalty for violation; and for Related Matters (HB. 2169) ( Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere) – Second Reading. The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed, and referred to the House Committee on Industries.

MOTIONS

  1. Re-committal of Bills: Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata

The House: Recalls that the following Bills were passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent;

(i) Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1456); and

(ii) Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022) (HB. 1955).

Resolves to: Commit the Bills to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration. The motion was voted on and adopted.

5. Need to Name the National Assembly Library Building in Honor and Commemoration of Femi Gbajabiamila Speaker of the 9th National Assembly Rep. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi:

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

6. Need to Investigate the Assault on Residents of Gboko and Guests of Old Barn Hotel, Gboko by Men of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army: Rep. Mark Gbillah:

​Resolutions:

(i) condemn the assault on Old Barn Hotel, Gboko, and its guests by men of the Nigerian Army on 18 March 2023;

(ii) Urge the Chiefs of Defense and Army Staff to commence a comprehensive investigation of the incident (ensuring evidence is obtained from civilian witnesses) with the view to identifying the soldiers that were responsible for this mayhem.

(iii) Invite the Chiefs of Defense and Army Staff to appear before the House to:

(a) Explain the circumstances behind the unprovoked attack and why these military officers did not carry proper identification or inform the civilians about their mission

(b) explain the military’s rules of engagement during election monitoring and other engagements with the civilian population, especially considering the extrajudicial killing of two young men in Gboko by the same 401 Special Forces Brigade on 18th March 2023 for alleged ballot snatching;

(c) Brief House about actions currently taken by military authorities to investigate the unprovoked assault on residents of Gboko, including Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo, and the shooting to death of two persons in Gboko on 18 March 2023.

(iv) Mandate the Committee on Army to ensure compliance and report to the House within two (2) weeks. The motion was voted on and adopted.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) REP. AHMED IDRIS WASE CHAIRED: 

 7. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Igboho, Oyo State; and for Related Matters (HB. 733) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 21/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3

8. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Illeh, Edo State; and for Related Matters (HB.1389) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3

9. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap. A. 18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023 to Provide a Unified Legal Framework for the fair and efficient Settlement of Commercial disputes through Arbitration and Mediation, make applicable the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitration Awards (the New York Convention) to any award made in Nigeria or in any contracting State arising out of International Commercial Arbitration; and for Related Matters (HB. 1455) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-92

10. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing and Midwifery; and for Related Matters (HB.214) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 23/3/2023. Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-43

11. Report of the Conference Committee: Rep. Adeogun Adejoro:​​

“That the House do consider the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 22/3/2023). Summary of voting: Conference Report Adopted.

12. Committee on Public Accounts Rep. Oluwole Oke:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on a Bill for an Act to provide for Establishment of an Independent Office of the Auditor General for Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory and provide for the Audit of Area Councils Public Accounts; and for Related Matters (HB.1782) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 21/3/2023) Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-5

13. Committee on Health Institutions: Rep. Paschal Obi:

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centtre, Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom; and for Related Matters (HB.1426) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid:15/12/2023).  Summary of voting: Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3

Adjournment:

The House at 13:36 adjourned plenary to Thursday, March 30th, 2023