Nigerian Senate Proceedings of Thursday, 30th November, 2017

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu took the official Prayer and led the Chambers into today’s proceedings at 11.12am.

Senator Dino Melaye moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 29th November, 2017, Senator Isah Misau seconded.

PETITION
Senator Chukwuka Utazi raised a petition from Udi local Government, Enugu State against AMA breweries for continuous pollution and parking of vehicles on the road within 9th mile( Ngwo).

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading

National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 573) by Senate Leader.
The National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 573) was read the FIRST time.

National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Est, etc) Act, 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 557) by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Est, etc) Act, 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 557) was read the FIRST time.

Public Complaints Commission Act CAP P37 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 580) by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.
The Public Complaints Commission Act CAP P37 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 580) was read the FIRST time.

CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT

Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriations and National Planning and Economic Affairs on the 2018-2020 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 by Senator John Enoh, Senator Goje Danjuma and Senator Musa Kwankwaso.

The Report was postponed to Tuesday, 5th December, 2017 because Senate awaits the outcome of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna, Austria to decide on benchmark price for crude oil in the international market.

CONSIDERATION OF A BILL

A Bill for an act to authorize the issue from consolidated revenue fund of the Federation the total sum of N8,612,236,953,214 (eight trillion, six hundred and twelve billion, two hundred and thirty six million, nine hundred and fifty three thousand, two hundred and fourteen naira) only, of which N456,458,654,074 (four hundred and fifty six billion, four hundred and fifty eight million, six hundred and fifty four thousand, seventy four naira) only is for statutory transfers, N2,233,835,365,699 (two trillion, two hundred and thirty three billion, eight hundred and thirty five million, three hundred and sixty five thousand, six hundred and ninety nine naira) only is for debt service, N3,494,277,820,219 (three trillion, four hundred ninety four billion, two hundred and seventy seven million, eight hundred and twenty thousand, two hundred and nineteen naira) only is for recurrent (non debt) expenditure while the sum of N2,427,665,113,222 (two trillion, four hundred and twenty seven billion, six hundred and sixty five million, one hundred and thirteen thousand, two hundred and twenty two naira) is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ‪ending 31st December, 2018‬ (SB. 575)- second reading 3rd Allotted day by Senate Leader.
‘The problem we have is the implementation. We have to strengthen the institutions responsible for generating revenues.’- Senator Abdullahi Danbaba Ibrahim.

‘We should have a copy of the budget performance of 2017 so we’ll know how to implement the 2018 budget. There should be a relationship between the fiscal and monetary policy of the Government. We have 601 agencies in the Federal Government, a lot are not functioning and money is being allocated to them, we need to cut them short.’- Senator Solomon Adeola.

‘I am not in support of borrowing, we need to ensure the use of our funds goes to infrastructural projects and the good people of our Nation.’- Senator Musa Kwankwaso.

‘Why can’t we reduce cost of governance, why can’t we merge most agencies that are not delivering? I commend Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who called off their strike today. Let the issue of tertiary institutions be resolved so as to reduce the continuous strike in the Nation.’- Senator Aliyu Wakili.

‘Most assumptions on the budget is wrong, we need to properly look into this.’- Senator Emmanuel Paulker.

‘It is a visionary and a very good budget. Some of the revenue generating agencies are not performing, if they are not good enough we should scrap them.’- Senator Nelson Effiong.

‘Our focus has always been on the concerns of the issue of assumptions, when we take the Medium- Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) on Tuesday, we will discuss it and debate it so we can now look into the budget.’- Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

‘I thank all Distinguished Senators who have contributed towards the successful debate of the 2018 budget.’- Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader Seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 5th December, 2017.