Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has cleared the Kaduna State Polytechnic and the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) from allegations brought against them in a petition filed by one Jacob S. Zarma.

The petition from Zarma, a lecturer, accused the Polytechnic of trespassing and selling a portion of his property.

The Committee, led by its Chairman, Rep. Mike Etaba, during a session, ruled that the documents submitted did not hold sufficient merit to indict the institutions involved.

“The documents submitted do not have merits, so on that note, they are free to do their normal business pending when the report will be presented to the House for consideration.

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“For now, there is no matter that seems to indict them as a school or the PIC, the Presidential Implementation Committee on the assets of the government. This matter is cleared completely,” he said.

The Committee on Public Petitions, after reviewing the case, concluded that there was no substantial evidence to support Zarma’s claims against the Kaduna Polytechnic and the PIC.

The chairman said the institutions have been cleared to continue their normal operations without any legal or procedural hindrance.

The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, Fuad Kayode Laguda, on Monday, July 15, urged relevant authorities to prioritise science and health technology.

Laguda, who made the call at a public hearing on three Bills, said this is in a bid to drive economic growth, improve healthy living standards, and address societal challenges.

They include a Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act.Cap.F17. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 to establish Federal College of Science and Health Technology, Mbu Isiuzo, Enugu State to provide qualitative education in sciences, health, arts and other technical knowledge; and for related matters (HB.589) sponsored by Hon. Paul Sunday Nnamchi; a Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Polytechnics Acts.Cap.F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 to establish Federal Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship, Bungudu, Zamfara state to provide qualitative education and for related matters (HB.497) Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act 2010, to Establish Federal Institute of technical and vocational education, Imeko, Ogun State for the purpose of providing qualitative education in technical vocational education and for related matters (HB.506) – sponsored Hon. Adegboyega Nasir Isiaka.

He said the Bills were timely and in tandem with the quest for more sustainable human and technological development for a self-reliant society.

“As you may be aware, we cannot, at this juncture of our development, underestimate the importance of science, technology, vocational and technical education as the key drivers of our socio-economic development.

“We therefore need to prioritise and recognize the importance of science and health technology in driving economic growth, improving healthy living standards as well as addressing societal challenges.

“In today’s global economy, you would agree with me that skills in vocational and technical education are the panacea to Nigeria’s technological development.

“The effective training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are the skills needed by our teaming youths to excel in the technologically driven global economy,” he said.

The lawmaker said the passage of these Bills into Law would not only ensure that the workforce is technologically empowered but can also be used to tackle the issues of unemployment, wealth creation, poverty reduction and a productive self-reliant society.

“There is, therefore, the need for purposeful deliberation and positive inputs by key stakeholders in the educational sector. This is why the committee has invited you here today, to obtain informed opinions and inputs on the Bills, to further enrich the content and intendment of the proposed laws,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, for his continued and untiring support to the Committee.

He urged all stakeholders to work together as patriots towards a successful deliberation leading to the passage of these Bills for the overall benefit of our citizens and the nation at large.

The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, said through appropriate legislation the House would assure access to quality education.

Represented by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon Abdullahi Halims, he regretted that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 60 percent of Nigerian graduates are unemployed or underemployed.

This, he said, has been attributed to their lack of employability skills.

The Speaker said this unfortunate situation has contributed significantly in spiralling the unemployment rate of Nigerian graduates.

He said if this is allowed to continue, the youth bulge in Nigeria will be a demographic burden rather than the much-needed demographic dividend that the nation can exploit for sustainable development.

He said the public hearing was a reflection of the desire and commitment as a House to prioritize technical and vocational education as part of the ongoing social sector reform and development of the present administration.

He said reforming and modernizing technical education are critical steps towards promoting skills acquisition and empowering youths to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth and development of Nigeria.

“We must do everything to stem the tide of youth restiveness that can easily be exploited by unpatriotic elements in our society for criminality. The ongoing fight against insecurity must as a matter of necessity consider the provision of functional education to our students and youths to ensure they are gainfully engaged.

“We are hoping, therefore, that the eventual establishment of these proposed technical institutions will provide access to quality technical education, address the skills gap by equipping our graduates with employable skills, promote innovation and entrepreneurship as well as support the current effort of the government to diversify the economy,” he said.

The Speaker said the importance of education as the bedrock of development cannot be overstated, adding that in line with its legislative agenda, the House will continue to support every effort that seeks to improve quality and access to all forms of education in Nigeria.

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“We will not relent in our effort to sustain engagement with stakeholders to encourage private sector involvement in the funding of education.

“Through our robust oversight, the House will continue to ensure transparency and accountability in the governance of our educational institutions. With the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, we would ensure that these new technologies are integrated into our educational curriculum.

“It is our desire also that more of such technical institutions will be established in other parts of the country with specialization in their areas of comparative advantage,” he said

The House of Representatives on Thursday, July 11, urged the federal government to revisit the school feeding programme in all public primary schools in Nigeria.

The House mandated the committees on special duties and finance to invite the ministers of special duties and inter-governmental affairs, education, and finance to revisit the program and propose solutions for its future success.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Urgent Call to Revisit School Feeding Policy” moved by Hon. Muktar Umar Zakari.

The House noted that Nigeria’s National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) was a pilot programme launched in 2004 targeting 12 States to provide a nutritious midday meal to public primary school pupils in the country.

It also noted that in 2016, the programme was relaunched nationally, targeting public primary school children using locally sourced ingredients to improve health, stimulate agricultural production, and boost smallholder farmers’ income.

The House said it was aware that the philosophy behind the NHGSFP is to encourage enrollment into public primary schools, address childhood hunger pangs, and improve their ability to concentrate, learn, and increase school attendance.

It also said it was aware that the program aims to create a positive association between school and a basic need, nutrition, which is essential for children’s well-being.

The House said it aims to increase enthusiasm for school attendance and motivate families to prioritize their children’s education, this positive association can lead to improved attendance, academic performance, and overall educational outcomes.

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It was concerned that the suspension of the NHGSFP by the current administration is unsettling for several reasons, namely reduced school enrollment and attendance, compromised health and cognitive development of the children, and disruption of the income of smallholder farmers.

The House recognized that addressing the programme’s challenges is crucial, but a complete suspension may cause more harm, therefore, it is important to find alternative solutions or efficient implementation of the NHGSFP to ensure Nigerian children continue to benefit from this important initiative.

It worried that the cancellation of the program is causing an upsurge in the number of out-of-school children, posing a threat to the country’s future and leading to a high rate of crimes, insecurity, and unemployment.

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigeria Customs Service to beef up the nation’s border security with modern technological gadgets.

It mandated the Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Customs and Excise to interface with the relevant agencies of the executive arm to ensure implementation and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

It also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Employ the Use of Modern Technology to Secure the Nation’s Borders” sponsored by Hon. Oby Lilian Orogbu on Thursday.

The House noted that there are over 320 illegal routes into Nigeria that serve as horrendous channels for the influx of inadmissible aliens and goods.

It also noted that Nigeria at the moment lacks sufficient security personnel to safeguard the existing illegal routes across the borders.

It further noted that the unmanned routes provide avenues for insecurity, proliferation of arms, and dumping of unwholesome goods into the country.

The House was concerned that the porous borders have provided an impetus to the thriving drug and human trafficking routes all over the country.

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It said it was aware that border policing has since shifted from the mundane use of only human beings to the deployment of sophisticated electronic-based equipment for potency.

The House also said it was aware that the deployment of technologies like electronic sensors, video monitors, and night vision scopes to detect illegal entries has proved more effective in Western countries than human security.

The House also said it was aware that more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, (drones) and dark fighter cameras are available to further enhance border controls.

The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development to rehabilitate, adequately equip, and recruit qualified personnel for efficient operations of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Kaduna, and complete phase II of the National Eye Center Kaduna Institute of Ophthalmology.

The House also asked the government to prepare an emergency 2024 supplementary budget estimate for the rehabilitation of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaira, and completion of phase two of the National Eye Center Kaduna by 2025.

Adopting a motion on notice by Hussaini Muhammed Jallo at plenary on Thursday, July 11, the house directs its relevant committees to conduct a needs assessment of the two health institutions and report back to the House.

Leading the debate on the motion, Hon. Jallo said the two institutions were established to provide specialist medical attention to the sick, train medical personnel, and undertake research for the advancement of medical knowledge.

He expressed concern that the Hospital, which caters to patients from Kaduna and neighbouring states, is overstretched and lacks adequate equipment to function optimally, especially in critical units such as the Accident and Emergency (A&E) section.

He also expressed concern that the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika Zaria, which was widely reputed for excellence is currently in a deplorable state and may soon become moribund as most of the equipment is obsolete and non-functional.

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According to him, considering the rising cases of Eye diseases in the country and the need to fully rehabilitate the National Eye Center Kaduna and complete Phase II of the Eye Center as assigned in the original master plan and also the inadequacy of specialized care for such cases in public hospitals, patients are often referred to private hospitals, which they mostly cannot afford; hence, the increasing death rate.

He expressed worries at the increasing rates of diseases at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika Zaria due to a lack of adequate doctors and hospital equipment.

He expressed concern about the shortage of experts such as cardiovascular percussionists, anesthetists, and heart surgeons in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika Zaria, Kaduna, and full rehabilitation and equipping of the National Eye Center Kaduna (Institute of Ophthalmology).

The House of Representatives has directed its committees on public service matters and legislative compliance to investigate the revised section 8 (020819) on the government policy on the compulsory retirement by public servants who have attained eight years as directors in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

This followed a motion sponsored by the House Leader, Hon Julius O. Ihonvbere, Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and Hon. Ishaya Lalu.

Presenting the motion on behalf of the sponsor, the Minority Leader drew attention to a government Circular dated 27 July 2023, with reference No. HCSF/SPO/268/T3/2/37, titled “THE REVISED PUBLIC SERVICE RULES (PSR)”, issued by the Head of Service.

The circular, he said directed public servants to comply with the Public Service Rules, 2021, Section 8 (020810) (iv) (a), which stipulates compulsory retirement for directors after eight years, whether or not the director has reached the biological retirement age of 60 years or 35 years in service is in direct conflict with the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

He expressed concern that the circular will affect teachers, saying, “Teachers are public servants with some as directors in the Federal Ministry of Education, it is therefore counterproductive for Directors to be compulsorily retired upon the expiration of eight (8) years in office as Directors when they have not attained the retirement.”

He argued that there is paucity of experienced, trained, youthful, intellectually sound and globally exposed public servants at grade level 17 as Directors in the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that drive the civil service for productivity and service.

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According to him, Directors attained their positions through years of hard work, excellence, dedication, and management skills development through local and international training using Nigerian resources.

He said these cadres of Directors having built capacity in relevant areas are now facing the threat of compulsory retirement from service upon the expiration of eight (8) years in position as Directors when they have not attained the age of sixty (60) years nor thirty-five (35) years in public service, thereby robbing the nation of their years of experience, creativity, expertise, innovation, ingenuity and transformative ideas, which will negatively impact productivity in the public service and by extension, the economy.

He said the noncompliance with the provisions of the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, which provides for the retirement age for teachers as 60 years of age or attainments of 35 years in pensionable public service may have dire consequences.

The House of Representatives on Thursday, July 11, asked security agents in the country to respect the provisions of the nation’s laws regarding press freedom and stop the indiscriminate arrest of journalists. 

In adopting a motion of urgent public importance by Clement Jimbo, the Reps resolved to consult inquiries into recent cases of arrest of journalists by security agents. 

The House warned against the indiscriminate arrest of journalists, urging those involved in such unwholesome acts to desist. 

It emphasized that protecting journalists’ rights is crucial not only for upholding democracy but also for safeguarding the principles of free speech and human rights.

The House urge the Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies to cautiously and democratically rely on Section 24 of Cybercrime Act 2015 as Amended and/or  charge anyone including journalists to court if they have violated any law of the land instead of depriving them of their constitutional right. 

The House said it will pass laws to strengthen press freedom protections, as well as conducts inquiries into recent cases of journalist detention, and engage in diplomatic efforts to pressure government to respect press freedom.

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Hon. Jimbo said freedom of the press is a fundamental right enshrined in Section 39 subsection (1) of the 1999 constitution as Amended which guarantees journalists the ability to report news without fear of arrest or persecution, adding that freedom of the press is sine qua non of democracy, it serves as essential ingredient for holding Government accountable and ensuring transparency.

He said journalism practice is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, adding that there has been a troubling increase in the number of journalists being unlawfully arrested, detained, and harassed for carrying out their professional duties relying on the offence of Cyber-Stalking within the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

According to him, in recent times, between 2015 and 2024 there has been incessant unwarranted arrest, unlawful detention and several other forms of harassment and intimidation meted on at least 25 journalists in the course of their duty, which is threatening the very fundamental pillar of democracy, and culminating into a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech. 

He recalled that earlier this year 2024, the President signed the Amended Act with a substantial adjustment on section 24, which listed what constitutes cyber-stalking and provided the punishment for such.

He regretted that the law enforcement agents neglect this aspect and continued their clampdown on free speech. 

According to him, at least 10 journalists have been arrested in the past one year and 15 of them in the last regime. 

He said apart from this arrest of Journalists and its consequences, it may lead to a worsening climate for investigative and independent journalism in the country’s media space, and this fourth republic democracy will be impugned by her admirers due to the excesses of those perpetuating this act of arbitrary absolutism.

He maintained that the arrest in March 2024 of Mr. Ojukwu, in particular, was most disturbing as his commando-style arrest came barely 43 hours after this year’s World Press Day. Actions like this has led to international opinion rating Nigeria as one of W/African’s most dangerous places to practice by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).  

Alarmed by the recent interception of arms and ammunition destined for Bonded Terminals and other illegal activities, the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise announced on Wednesday, July 10, that it will investigate activities within Bonded Terminals and Free Trade Zones nationwide.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Leke Abejide, disclosed this during an oversight visit to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He stated that the objective of the investigation is to ensure these areas operate within the law and contribute positively to the nation’s economy.

Abejide emphasised that the House Committee will scrutinize the operations of the bonded terminals to identify and eliminate any illegal activities.

Those found non-compliant with regulations will face severe consequences, including possible closure.

He said the action is imperative to prevent these zones from becoming havens for illicit activities that threaten our national security and economic stability.

He said the Committee is committed to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant authorities to enforce strict measures and restore integrity to the Bonded Terminals and Free Trade zones while ensuring that they serve their intended purpose of facilitating legitimate trade and contributing to the growth and prosperity of our nation.

He commended the service for the recent achievements in Lagos and Rivers States, with the ceasure of a large cache of arms, describing it as a testament to their vigilance and effectiveness.

He said these interceptions were not routine seizures as they have potentially saved countless Nigerian lives and demonstrated the exceptional skills and dedication of your personnel in protecting our borders. These successful operations highlight the importance of international cooperation and intelligence sharing.

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He said: “Let us not celebrate too quickly. The very fact that such massive quantities of weaponry and contraband were attempting to enter our nation within such a short span chills me to the bone. These items had they slipped through — could have unleashed untold terror on innocent citizens, ripped apart communities, and destabilized entire regions of our beloved country.

“While I commend the exceptional skills and bravery of our Customs personnel, these incidents serve as a stark, horrifying reminder of the enormous challenges we face. We cannot — we must not — become complacent. Every weapon and illicit item seized is a victory, but every attempt to smuggle them into Nigeria is a call to redouble our efforts.

Abejide said the recent announcement on waivers has sparked significant discussion regarding their impact on the Service’s revenue targets.

He said that inspired by the challenges, Service, with a revenue target of N2.5 trillion for the first half of 2024 (i.e, June 30, 2024), commendably collected $2.7 trillion, exceeding the projected targets by approximately $200 billion, adding that this achievement demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing revenue generation mechanisms.

He said further that the $318 billion lost to exemptions, waivers, and concessions poses a challenge to meeting the ambitious annual revenue target of N5.079 trillion.

He said the suspension of excise policies on goods such as single-use plastics and telecommunications has adversely impacted revenue generation, adding that the situation highlights the delicate balance we must maintain between incentivizing economic activities and ensuring robust revenue streams.

He said the Committee is particularly interested in the progress of the e-Customs modernization project and acknowledges the project’s potential to streamline customs operations and enhance revenue collection, reports of network outages causing delays and disruptions raise concerns.

The House of Representatives has denied any resolution asking the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa agreement. 

Spokesman of the House, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, said in a statement the resolution of the House was to investigate the controversial clauses allegedly contained in the  Samoa Partnership Agreement to ensure they sufficiently align with constitutional provisions, extant laws, and our national interests and values.

Rotimi said the Green Chamber also urged the Federal Government to ensure thorough consultations and stakeholder engagement on matters relating to the agreement.

He said: “These decisions followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent National Importance titled “Alleged Controversial Samoa Partnership Agreement by the Federal Government,” sponsored by House Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano), and co-sponsored by 88 lawmakers.

“The motion, which debated the Samoa Partnership Agreement aimed at enhancing food security and promoting inclusive economic development, sparked significant discussion in the Green Chamber upon its introduction.

“During the debate, concerns were raised regarding alleged clauses purportedly mandating support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community as a prerequisite for financial and other aid from developed nations.

“Additionally, apprehensions were expressed about several specific articles within the agreement, including Articles 2.5, 29.5, 36.2, and 88, which some lawmakers believe may not align with Nigeria’s national interests and values, especially in the absence of a reservation clause.

“Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki argued that Article 97 of the agreement, which asserts the supremacy of the agreement over any conflicting treaties involving European Union (EU) member states or the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), potentially infringes upon Nigeria’s sovereignty.

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“In response, House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) clarified that the agreement, as officially presented, does not include provisions related to a $150 billion fund or any clauses promoting LGBT rights in Nigeria, contrary to public speculation.

“Emphasising the importance of parliamentary oversight, House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) underscored the need for transparency in treaty negotiations, citing Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), which mandates parliamentary involvement in such matters”.

He said further: “It is important to clarify that the House of Representatives did not resolve to call for the suspension of the agreement nor for the suspension of its implementation, as has been erroneously reported by some media houses. 

“Instead, the House resolved to thoroughly scrutinise the Samoa Partnership Agreement for all contentious clauses through legislative hearings. 

“Furthermore, the House mandated its Committees on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements; Justice; and National Planning and Economic Development to engage with relevant stakeholders to address any ambiguities in the agreement. The Committees are expected to report back to parliament within four weeks.

“In reaffirming its commitment to shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy in line with national interests, the House emphasises its Legislative Agenda 7 (Influencing and Directing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy) to harmonise constitutional requirements with the Treaty Ratification Act for consistency and transparency.”

The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has accused the chairmen of the six Area Councils of avoiding accountability for the billions of naira they receive monthly as allocations.

Committee Chairman, Hon. Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa), expressed disappointment and concern at a Tuesday meeting over the Area Councils’ chairmen’s repeated refusal to honor the committee’s invitations to appear and render accounts despite several requests.

Agbedi said: “As we are all aware, this Committee has the constitutional powers to oversight the activities of the various Area Councils in the FCT. The Committee’s oversight powers are rooted in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which grants the National Assembly the powers to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the FCT as contained in Section 299.

He said the Constitution also gives it power to exercise oversight over the executive arm of government (Section 88), conduct investigations into the activities of the Area Councils (Section 89), summon any person to appear before it (Section 89) and review and approve the FCT and ensure that funds are being utilized efficiently and effectively (See Order 18(3) of the Standing Orders of the House). 

He said the committee has the statutory mandate to ensure that the Area Councils are operating in accordance with the law, and that the welfare of residents in the FCT is being adequately addressed and it is in line with this mandate, that several invitations have been sent out to the six Area Council Chairmen.

According to him, despite the importance of this engagement, the Area Council Chairmen have declined to participate, citing untenable reasons, adding that “the Chairmen’s conduct in this regard implies that they are not willing to account for their stewardship and the logical i1,nference is that, they are avoiding accountability. 

“The committee views this refusal as a breach of their constitutional responsibilities and a disservice to the people they serve. The Committee’s oversight function is essential to ensuring accountability and good governance, and this refusal undermines these efforts, 

“For the Past 7 or 8 months, the Honourable Minister of the FCT and the Minister of State has invited this Committee to flag off as well as commissioned several projects in the FCT and the Area Councils but the Chairmen of the Six Area Councils have neither flagged off, completed or commissioned any project in the Area Councils to the knowledge of the National Assembly Committees vested with the responsibility of oversighting them. 

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“This is appalling considering the huge monthly allocation running into billons of naira to each of the six Area Councils within the last one year and beyond. This figure is outside taxes and rents, charges and other revenues collected by the councils. 

“As a Committee, We will not hesitate to invoke our powers to ensure that the Area Councils are operating in the best interests of the people. We owe it to the residents of | the FCT to ensure that their welfare is being adequately addressed. We therefore call on the Area Council Chairmen to work fully with the Committee as any attempt to frustrate these efforts will be met with appropriate legislative sanctions.”