Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives has passed for the second reading a bill seeking to give more powers to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to be in a better position to address critical emergencies in the country.

The bill seeks power for the agency on issues such as climate change adaptation, drought, desertification, flooding, coastal erosion, dam failure, building collapse, oil spills, road accidents, fire, air crashes, boat mishaps, among others.

The proposed legislation, which seeks to repeal and reenact the National Emergency Management Agency Act, is sponsored by the deputy speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, and five others.

Leading the debate on its general principles of the bill, one of the sponsors, Amobi Ogah said Nigeria stands at a cross road of complex emergency and disaster management landscape, hence the pressing need to put in place sustainable solutions for millions displaced by conflict, flooding, environmental challenges, dam failures, building collapse among others.

According to him, emergency response is still burdened with huge operational constraints, gaps occasioned by bureaucracy, inadequate funding, scarcity of technical skills, difficulty in operation mechanism and poor implementation of policies and legislation.

He said that while the NEMA Act, provides a solid foundation for disaster management, it lacks provisions for addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation, amongst others.

He said that the Bill therefore seeks to establish a framework that will address the mentioned critical issues, which also include the unplanned imposed negative physical, emotional, social, health, and economic impacts on the victims, and establish a self-sustaining alternative funding mechanism beyond the funding mechanism under the extant Act.

Ogah stressed that when the bill becomes law, NEMA will be repositioned to ensure climate adaptation and resilience in today’s world of complex disaster management.

He said, “The National Emergency Management Agency (Establishment) Act of 1999 elaborately provided for the establishment, functions and governance structure of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), making it the central body for disaster management in Nigeria with State Agencies supporting its mandate at the State level.

“While the Act provides a solid foundation for disaster management, it lacks provisions for addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation and resilience, digital transformation initiatives, drought, desertification, flooding, coastal erosion, dam failure, building collapse, oil spills, road accidents, and bomb explosions.

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“NEMA will be repositioned through this Bill to ensure climate adaptation and resilience in today’s world of complex disaster management. This reform will also ensure that the NEMA disaster risk reduction strategy is aligned with international best practices. This will also transform NEMA into a stronger coordination authority.

“It will provide for the establishment of a disaster management institute for training of NEMA staff and other stakeholders. It will also provide for the registration and coordination of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) on disaster management and support.

“This Bill presents to us a practical step towards transforming the nation’s emergency and disaster management response framework. The emergency and disaster response mechanism contemplated by this Bill is an important legislative response which meets the demands of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) wherein it is enshrined that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the citizen. Every Nigerian deserves to be protected and assisted during times of emergencies and disasters.”

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to expand the mandate of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria by seeking to establish specialised training institutions across the federation to deepen national agricultural productivity capacity and ensure innovation in the urban centres.

The bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, is titled a “Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of Certain Specialised Colleges; and for Other Related Matters.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the Deputy Speaker said agriculture remains a vital part of the Nigerian economy and a key driver for rural development, job creation, food security, and national GDP.

He said the nations continue to face glaring gaps in research and innovation, especially in regions where unique agricultural potential remains untapped due to the absence of tailored educational institutions.

According to him, the Bill seeks to bridge this glaring gap as the amendment will not simply be adding institutions, but will serve as an investment in untapped potential, and empowerment of those whose hands feed the nation.

Kalu expressed optimism that when the bill becomes law, it will lead to a stronger agricultural research ecosystem, more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerians, greater food security and overall economic growth.

He said, “This is not merely to introduce a legislative proposal, but to lay before this Peoples House a vision — a vision to take agricultural education into the fabric of our national development strategy and effort.

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“A vision that recognises that research and innovation must not remain in silos or city centres, but must live where the land is tilled, where the livestock roam, where the rivers run.

“Through this amendment, we are not simply adding institutions — we are answering a national call -a call to invest where there is untapped potential, to empower those whose hands feed the nation, and to deepen our national agricultural productivity capacity by expanding the mandate and reach of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria through the establishment of specialised training institutions in various parts of our great nation by establishing certain specialized agricultural colleges in strategic locations across the six geo-political zones.

“This Bill which comprises 3 clauses principally seeks to amend the Third Schedule of the Principal Act to provide for the establishment of the following specialized colleges of agriculture – (a) Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Bende, Abia State; (b} Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Takum, Adamawa State; (c) Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State; (d) Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State; (e) Federal College of Anima} Health and Production Technology, Dange Shuni, Sokoto State; (f} Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Olamaboro, Kogi State.

“The passage of this Bill is a strategic step toward ensuring agricultural innovation is not confined to a few urban centres but is equitably distributed across the federation.”

The Conference of Speakers of State legislatures of Nigeria has rejected the recent summons issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions to the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, describing it as a violation of constitutional boundaries.

The summons, which stemmed from petitions by a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law, was deemed by the Conference as an overreach of the National Assembly’s powers and a threat to Nigeria’s federal structure and the constitutional autonomy of state legislatures.

In a formal letter to the Committee—obtained by The Nation—the Conference stressed that the National Assembly’s investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution are strictly limited to federal issues.

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The Speakers asserted that state legislatures operate as independent arms of government and their internal affairs cannot be subjected to federal oversight, unless a clear constitutional or federal issue is involved.

Backing this stance, the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Assemblies also submitted separate letters objecting to the summons, insisting that the matters in question are purely domestic and outside the jurisdiction of the National Assembly.

The Conference warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent and undermine democratic governance at the sub-national level.

Reaffirming their commitment to transparency and the rule of law, the Speakers urged the National Assembly to respect the principle of separation of powers and maintain institutional boundaries in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

The Enugu Caucus in the House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government’s plan to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, describing it as a potential catalyst for the Southeast economy.

The caucus commended the Federal Government for the initiative and urged it to hasten the  process to enable the people of the Southeast and the nation to benefit from it in earnest.

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It also called on the people of the region to support the concession as the only way to guarantee sustainable investment to fully develop the airport into a truly international facility.

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has frowned at what it called gross abuse of temporary importation license by corporate bodies in the country, while calling for the abolition of the system. 

Also, the House Committee said it will invite the concessionaires of the Customs Modernisation Project, TMP Limited and the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale to explain when the expected customs scanners are expected to arrive. 

Chairman of the Committee, Leke Abejide who spoke when he led members of the Committee on an oversight of Customs Commands in Zone C said the abuse of temporary importation license is denying the government of several billions of naira annually. 

Abejide said it is unfortunate corporate bodies and individual import goods such as aircraft among others into the country under the temporary importation scheme without paying duties, use such items for sever years while the government loses revenue. 

He gave an example with Zenith Bank which imported an aircraft into the country under temporary importation, used it for several years, then return it and brought in another aircraft without paying duties. 

He said, “The other day, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank called me to complain that Customs refused them using their aircraft. They brought in an aircraft, used it for several years, returned and brought in another one without paying duties. 

“That has to stop. We will look into this issue or temporary importation which has coursed the country trillions of naira. We will look into five years back and recover all the money for government.

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“We will also move for the abolition of this temporary importation. We will ensure that when you bring your goods, you pay the required duties. After that, you can return it if you like”.

Speaking on the lack of scanners at the various ports, Abejide explained that under the Customs modernisation projects, the concessionaires were supposed to provide scanners for the Nigeria Customs service. 

He said the House Committee will invite the concessionaires and the Comptroller General of Customs to find out when exactly the scanners will arrive the country. 

He said without the scanners the customs finds it difficult to effectively carry out the duties as several items escape the Customs in the process of carrying out 100 percent physical inspection. 

Addressing the demands of the Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Abejide said the House will ensure that their needs are meet as their operation was very important to the survival of the nation. 

He told them to up their game in the fight against oil bunkering and oil theft which he said has reduced the oil production of the country. 

Abejide also said that his committee will work with the Customs high command to ensure the provision of a solar mini grid for all customs formations to reduce the high cost of electricity and power failure that may hamper their operations. 

Comptroller of the Eastern Marine, Chika Dim had told the committee that inferior firepower of the service is hampering their fight against oil theft, adding that while those engaged in oil theft are equipped with GPMG, officers of the service are operating only with AK 47.

One of the customs stakeholders, Mike Egbuato told the committee that there was the need to correct what he called freight imbalance affecting the operations of the Customs in the zone. 

The House Committee on Midstream has summoned petroleum depots that failed to meet regulatory standards, directing them to appear in Abuja within seven days with comprehensive working documents.

This was revealed on Tuesday via the official X handle of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

According to the NMDPRA, the summons follows a three-day oversight visit by the Committee, led by Hon. Odianosen Henry Okojie, to depot locations in Delta State, including Koko, Warri, and Oghara, as part of its core mandate and regulatory duties.

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“The few depots that fell short of the Committees’ requirements were summoned to appear before them in Abuja within seven days with comprehensive operations working documents.”

The Authority did not disclose the names of the few depots that failed to meet its standards or requirements.

NMDPRA said Okojie praised the Authority Chief Executive Engr. Farouk Ahmed and his Management Team for their effective supervision and monitoring engendering positive compliance from industry players.