Proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

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After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings for Tuesday, February 1st, 2022________________________________________________________________________________________
Announcement 
There will be a meeting of all Muslim legislators today, Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 by 2:30 pm at Hearing room 022 of the Senate. The agenda is to discuss the completion of the mosque under construction.________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 
1. Rep. Preye Oseke moved a motion on the urgent need to stop the continuous blackout and outage of power in Bayelsa state and it was seconded by Rep. Obinna Chidoka.
Rep. Herman Hembe rose to remind the House that the motion does not fall under the definition of matter of urgent public importance.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila agreed to this, as the definition of matter of urgent public importance states that if the matter is not taken immediately; a calamity is imminent in a matter of days. 
The House however granted Rep. Preye a waiver.
Rep. Preye in leading the debate stated that the matter is indeed urgent as most of Bayelsa state has been thrown into a blackout for weeks and operations of essential services such as hospitals have been jeopardized. He worried about the increase of youth restiveness as well as the rate of crime rates due to the discomfort of residents. Rep. Preye commended the efforts of the Bayelsa State government for partnering with the power distribution company to ensure a reasonable power supply but lamented that these efforts do not seem to be enough in bringing an end to the problem. Rep. Preye called on the House to mandate the House Committee on Power to invite the Port Harcourt power distribution company to explain the continuing issue, and also that the House Committee on Power should urge the Ministry of Power to ensure an end to the lingering problem.
Rep. Dachung Bagos proposed an amendment to extend the scope of the investigation to be nationwide, as it seems to be a recurring issue nationwide. 
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS 1. Committee on Health Institutions:Rep. Paschal Obi:“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal College Of Nursing and Midwifery and Health Sciences, Isiala-Mbano, Imo State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1642) (Referred: 16/11/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.
2. Committee on Health Institutions:Rep. Paschal Obi:“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Imo State to provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching Instructions and Training in Health, Management Sciences, Applied Sciences and for Related Matters (HB. 1420) (Referred: 13/7/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.
3. Committee on Health Institutions:Rep. Paschal Obi:“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College Of Nursing And Midwifery, Otu-Jeremi; and for Related Matters (HB. 402) (Referred: 6/5/2021).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.
4. Committee on Health Institutions:Rep. Paschal Obi:“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos and to Provide for Courses leading to to the Award of Diplomas and Certificates in Medical Laboratory Technology; and for Related Matters (HB.1421) (Referred:).
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.
5. Committee on Health Institutions:Rep. Paschal Obi:“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017 and Enact the Federal University of Health, Sciences, and Technology, Enugu to make Comprehensive Provisions for Management and Administration of the University; and for Related Matters (HB.1614) (Referred:).  
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. Paschal Obi and seconded by Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.________________________________________________________________________________________
ORDERS OF THE DAY BILLS 1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) to make Provision for Establishment of Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma; and for Related Matters (HB.1820) (Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata and Rep. Munir B Dan Agundi) – Second Reading
Debate Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ahmed Jaha. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions. 
2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Bank Employees etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act, Cap. BI, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Related Matters (HB.1180) (Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive) – Second Reading.
Debate Rep. Francis Waive moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Miriam Onuoha. 
Rep. Waive stated that the Bill seeks to achieve up-to-date data for bank staff. It also seeks to increase the punishment in jail term for bank staff who are found culpable of in-house fraud, about the bank accounts of customers, as well as other vices that contravene their professional conduct, from 10 to 20 years in jail, to serve as a deterrent. 
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi in supporting the Bill stated that bank officials have taken public trust for granted and there is the need for an adequate legal framework to deter them from embarking on these illegal actions.
Rep. Nkem Abonta also supported the Bill to expand the culpability and subsequent punishment to be extended to even the leadership of banks, including Directors and Board members who use their positions to illegally divert depositor’s funds for personal gain and purposes.
Rep. Toby Okechukwu called for stiffer punishment as even prison time has not adequately deterred would-be criminals from carrying out these acts. He called for stiffer punishment on the bank who should also be held liable as an institution, not just the individual employee. This he stated will make the banks more responsible for the security of their customer’s security details and funds.
Rep. Dachung Bagos stated that under the sim-swap law, the banks use bye-laws (bank rules and regulations) to punish fraudulent employees, not the relevant national laws, which is a practice that should be discontinued.
Rep. Tyough Aondona called for proper regulations of banking activities, but a reasonable jail term of punishment. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Banking and Currency.
3. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Rabah, Sokoto State to Provide Full–Time Courses, Teaching, Instruction and Training in Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Natural Sciences, Agronomy and Extension; and for Related Matters (HB.427) (Rep. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu) – Second Reading. 
Debate Rep. Ibrahim Aliyu moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Beni Lar. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.
4. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1586) (Rep. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims) – Second Reading.
Debate Rep. Abdullahi Halims moved for the the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Alabi. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
5. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Koko, Delta State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1122) (Rep. Thomas Ereyitomi) – Second Reading.
Debate Rep. Thomas Ereyitomi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ali Taopheek. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
 6. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Saminaka, Kaduna State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1776) (Rep. Ahmed Munir) – Second Reading.
Debate Rep. Ahmed Munir moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ismail. 
Rep. Munir stated that the establishment of the center would provide diagnosis and treatment of illness for the people of the region as governments at all levels have a common task for the provision of health and security for the people they govern. Hence the need to fill this healthcare delivery gap to improve the livelihood of Nigerians living in the region. 
Rep. Igariwe also supported the passage of the Bill.
Rep. Herman Hembe while applauding the good intention and representation of Rep. Munir, cautioned on the number of establishment Bills brought forward by members due to scarcity of funds of the federal government. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
 7. A Bill for an Act to Establish Institute of Arid and Climate Studies, Mafa, Borno State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1786) (Rep. Ibrahim Mohammed Bukar) – Second Reading.  
Debate Rep. Ibrahim Bukar moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ajibola Muraina. 
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education Services, as well as the House Committee on Climate Change.________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTIONS
8. Need to make Provision for Adequate Signage and Directional Road Signs in the Federal Capital Territory:Rep. Kolawole Taiwo Musibau: The House: Notes that signage and directional signs promote orderliness and make the society more efficient as it makes locating places and navigation of facilities convenient and easy for users; Also notes that most civilized cities across the world have adequate signage and directional road signs for usage by both inhabitants and visitors; Concerned that there are inadequate signage and directional road signs on some major roads in the Federal Capital Territory and some of the existing ones are either worn out or poorly fixed, making it difficult for people to navigate within the city; Also concerned about the impression of the International Community about the Federal Capital Territory, if locating places of interest and business is difficult; Worried that many accidents have occurred as a result of motorists not being able to concentrate on driving as they encounter difficulty in navigating using the available road signs; Also worried that easy access to correct locations and addresses can be very difficult in cases of emergency; Resolves to: (i) Urge the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to order the erection of signage and directional road signs across the Federal Capital Territory; (ii) mandate the Committee on Federal Capital Territory to ensure implementation.
Debate Rep. Kolawole Taiwo moved the motion on the need to make provision for adequate signage and directional road signs in the Federal Capital Territory and it was seconded by Rep. Zannah Usman. 
The motion was voted on and adopted.
Rep. Johnson proposed an amendment calling on the Ministry of Works to ensure all such signages are erected on all Federal roads nationwide.
Rep. Toby Okechukwu reminded the House that the previous Assembly made provisions for these road signages and urged the House to continue to do so. He also proposed an amendment to change the notion that the Federal Capital Territory is not civilized, but that the Minister of the FCT is not doing his job. 
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
9. Need to Provide Infrastructural Facilities to Secure the Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) of 244 Battalion of 2 Brigade, Ikot Udo, Ika and 145 Battalion Nto Ndan, Obot Akara Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State:Rep. Aniekan Umanah: The House:Notes that Nigeria is currently faced with an unprecedented wave of different security challenges which range from insurgency, banditry, Kidnappings, communal clashes, insurrection, and other violent crimes that have affected many parts of the country;
Also notes that these violent crimes have left in their wake, wanton destruction of lives and properties, interruption in socio-economic activities and have rendered several people as internally displaced;
Aware that Forward Operational Bases of both the 244 Battalion of second Brigade at Ikot Udo in Ika and 145 Battalion at Nto Ndan in Obot Akara Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State were established to curb the recurring communal clashes, kidnapping activities, armed robbery attacks and senseless murder of the citizens coupled with cult activities and general insecurity;
Also aware that the establishment of the FOBs was a preventive and proactive measure aimed at apprehending perpetrators of heinous crimes as well as creating a roadmap for peace between warring communities;Observes that the FOBs have discharged their mandates well, resulting in a reduction in the scale of violent crimes in the areas;
Concerned that despite the sensitive assignment the FOBs are saddled with, troops have been operating under deplorable conditions due to neglect by the Nigerian Army;
Also concerned that the absence of perimeter fencing around the facilities and lack of other vital infrastructure, such as electricity to ease their operations, exposes the officers and equipment to danger and makes them vulnerable to attacks;
Worried that the current state of the FOBs is a security risk to the Army personnel as well as the communities where they are assigned, considering the unfortunate incidence in neighbouring Local Government Areas in 2021 where some security operatives were murdered by unidentified gunmen;
Resolves to:(i) Urge the Nigerian Army and other relevant Institutions to, as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate the Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) of 244 Battalion of 2 Brigade at Ikot Udo, Ika and 145 Battalion at Nto Nda in Obot Akara Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State and provide the necessary infrastructure to secure the formations to motivate the troop, enhance their capacity, and forestall attacks; (ii) mandate the Committee on Army to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Motion stepped down by leave of the House.
10. Need to Establish a Divisional Police Station in Akunnu Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State:Rep. OlubunmiTunji-Ojo. The House:Notes that there is only one police Divisional Station in Akoko North-East under which Akunnu Akoko is located; Also notes that the distance from Oke Igbede in Ikare to Akunnu, where the Divisional Police station is located is very far, making proper coordination of policing in the area ineffective; Concerned that Akunnu is bedevilled with incidences of kidnappings and other criminal activities associated with border communities; Worried that the community has resorted to self-help by encouraging the youths to go after the kidnappers in the forests with bare hands due to inadequate security personnel in the area; Cognizant that the neighbouring Local Government Area Akoko North West has three Divisional Police Stations whereas Akoko North East in which Akunnu is located has only one Divisional Police Station located at Igbede in Ikare Akoko;
Resolves to:(i) Urge the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs and the Nigeria Police Force to establish a Divisional Police Station in Akunnu Akoko in Akoko North East/West Federal Constituency of Ondo State; (ii) mandate the Committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance.
Debate Rep. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo moved the motion on the need to establish a divisional police station in Akunnu Akoko in Akoko North-East local government area of Ondo state and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Yalleman. 
The motion was voted on and adopted.
11. Urgent Need to Revitalize the National Museum, Oron, Akwa Ibom State:Rep. Francis Charles Uduyok​​​​​ and Rep. Nse Ekpenyong: The House:Notes that the National Museum, Oron, Akwa Ibom State was established in 1958, and among the first five to be established in Nigeria, it accommodated and exhibited more than eight hundred known ancestral figures and archaeological collections including artworks and materials of antiquity from the southern and eastern part of Nigeria believed to be oldest and finest surviving wood carvings in Africa and among the 50 outlets administered by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture;
Also notes that during the civil war, most of the wood carvings were looted and the museum damaged but was re-inaugurated in 1975 and today houses the remains of the Obasi Njom masquerade from the upper Cross River area, the old manilla currency, uncommon collection of traditional raffia, ancestral metal works and ancestral carved wooden sculptures, figurines, pottery and masquerades and other cultural rich ethnographic materials of the Ibibios, Annangs, Oron amongst others and national monuments including the Ojukwu Bunker, which is one of the remaining relics of the Nigerian Civil War, two de-commissioned oil wells, which were among the first in the country;
Aware that the museum has the potential to contribute to the tourism and culture sector of the economy and also serve as an additional source of revenue for the country as records show that in its peak days, it was visited by an average of 3,000 tourists, students, researchers, and others annually, which meant an average of about 333 people visited the museum monthly, approximately 11 people daily;
Worried about the dilapidated state of the National Museum’s infrastructure with a leaking roof during the rainy season while the artifacts on exhibition and in the stores are left to gather dust and moist which is evident that one of the leading museums in Nigeria has been neglected and if left in its current state, the artifacts may all be stolen without a trace or exposed to damages and degradation.
Believes that it is in the economic and cultural interest of Nigeria to preserve and promote its culture and tourism and to guard against the devaluation and destruction of Nigeria’s ethnographic history and rich cultural heritage and to ensure the preservation and promotion of cultural artifacts and materials of antiquity by ensuring that relevant agencies and Ministry preserve the nation’s museums to ensure that future generations can appreciate and celebrate its origin, history, and heritage
Resolves to:(i) Mandate the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure the revitalization of the National Museum, Oron, Akwa Ibom State; (ii) also mandate the Committees on Culture and Tourism and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Motion stepped down by leave of the House 
12. Need to Investigate the Ongoing Recruitment into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Other Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity:Rep. Ismail Tijani:The House:Notes that the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is currently recruiting for positions at the management level;
Concerned that only people from one particular part of the country are being recruited in the current exercise, which negates the principles of Federal Character;
Aware that the Minister of Labour and Productivity has been embroiled in a battle to control Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the NSITF, and had been summoned by the National Assembly for the alleged misdemeanour in 2016 and 2021 respectively;
Also aware that the summons was based on allegations of employment irregularities, impunity, and anomalies indicating gross abuse of office;
Worried that the current recruitment process at the NSITF, which is alleged to be biased could negatively affect the promotion of hardworking staff of the organization;
Also worried that the Minister’s alleged reign of impunity across the ministries and agencies under his supervision has continued unabated despite engagements and interventions of the National assembly;
Disturbed that the alleged undue favouritism in the ongoing recruitment exercise at the NSITF could prevent the country from deriving the maximum benefits from the MDAs;
Resolves to:Mandate the Committees on Federal Character and Labour, Employment and Productivity to investigate the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Labour and recommend appropriate sanctions to anyone found culpable of undue favouritism and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Debate Rep. Ismail Tijani moved the motion on the need to investigate the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and it was seconded by Rep. Beni Lar. 
Rep. Beni Lar proposed an amendment to call on the House Committee on Public Service to join in the investigation.
Rep. Miriam Onuoha proposed an amendment to mandate the House Committees on Labour, Productivity, Federal Character as well as Disabilities to ensure people’s with disabilities are considered in the recruitment exercise as the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act stipulates that at least 5% of recruitments should be reserved for persons living with disabilities. 
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that henceforth agencies’ recruitment should be monitored to ensure the provisions of the disabilities is henceforth adhered to.
Rep. Peter Akpatason proposed an amendment that the relevant Committees should investigate all current recruitments by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in line with the provisions of the Disabilities Act.
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi objected to the inclusion of many Committees and agencies of government in the investigation as that will water down the aim and scope of the motion. 
The amendment was supported by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase.
Rep. Dachung Bagos stated in response to Rep. Peter Akpatason’s proposed amendment that other agencies’ recruitment is already being investigated by the relevant anti-corruption agencies of government.
It was agreed that 6 members will be chosen by the Chairman of each of the investigating Committees to ensure a precise job. 
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
 13. Call to Make Skills Acquisition a Compulsory Subject in the Basic Education Curriculum:Rep. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson:The House:Notes that over the last two decades, innovation and creativity have become critical skills for achieving self-employment and national economic development;Also notes that skills acquisition and creativity are only being taught in Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria;
Further notes that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total number of people classified as unemployed increased from 17.6 million to 20.9 million between 2017 to 2018 and keeps increasing due to the increase in Nigeria’s population;
Aware that the current curriculum only prepares students towards acquiring academic qualifications without skills for self-employment;
Also aware that skills acquisition, which may take the form of innovation and creativity, has become critical for achieving success in any given economy, however, the current curriculum centred on academic qualifications and government jobs alone are not enough for a sustainable economy;
Cognizant that in Nigeria, there is a low level of practical adaptation of knowledge acquired, hence, there is a need to restructure the Basic Education curriculum by awakening the consciousness of the relevant Government Agencies;
Also cognizant that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is responsible for curriculum development of Basic Education in Nigeria, encouragement, promotion, and coordination of educational research programs carried out in Nigeria, identification of educational problems in Nigeria which research is needed and the establishment of the order of priorities among others as being enshrined in the Nigerian constitution;
Resolves to:(i) Urge the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to review the Basic Education Curriculum to make skills acquisition a compulsory subject; (ii) mandate the Committees on Basic Education and Services and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action. 
Debate Rep. Ganiyu Johnson moved the motion on the call to make skills acquisition a compulsory subject in the basic curriculum and it was seconded by Rep. Olanrewaju Oladapo. 
The motion was voted on and adopted.________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presiding: 14. A Bill for an Act to Establish Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria charged with Responsibility of Advancing the Study, Training, and Practice of Counselling Profession; and for Related Matters (HB. 409) (Committee of the Whole:21/11/2019).
Synopsis of the report:Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the Bill seeks to provide the relevant framework to establish the proposed council to advance the counselling profession to avert relevant mental and depression-related issues.
Summary of voting:Clauses voted on and approved: 2-19Clauses amended and approved: 1
15. Committee on Aviation:Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.“The House do consider the Report of the Committee on Aviation on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act, Cap. F5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Bill to Provide for the Effective Management of Airports in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 461) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 8/12/2021).
Synopsis of the report:Rep. Nnaji stated that the Bill seeks to repeal the former Act and provide for a more effective one as it seeks to ensure safe and secure airport and air transport services in line with relevant financial and health realities.
Summary of voting:Clauses voted on and approved: 1-44
16. Committee on Aviation:Rep. Nnoli Nnaji.“The House do consider the Report of the Committee on Aviation on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act, Cap. N90, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Bill to provide Efficient Air Navigation Services in Nigeria, Ensure Safety and Regulation of Air Navigation in Nigeria and to any other place which Nigeria has Responsibility of Providing Air Navigation Services; and for Related Matters (HB. 462) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid:7/12/2021).
Synopsis of the report:Rep. Nnaji stated that the Bill seeks to also repeal the former Act and enact a new one for effective air safety and aviation services to ensure safe air travel. It seeks to also overhaul the national aviation services to ensure a more vibrant and effective aviation sector that meets international best practices. This Rep. Nnoli stated is in cognizance of the vital role the aviation industry plays in the government’s revenue drive and it’s international relations with other countries.
Summary of voting:Clauses voted on and approved: 1-57________________________________________________________________________________________________  HOUSE IN PLENARY The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Babangida Ibrahim.________________________________________________________________________________________
Adjournment:The House at 14:37 adjourned plenary till Thursday, February 2nd, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Mufutau