Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, passed for the second reading, a bill seeking the establishment of Gifted and Talented Centres in the six geo-political zones of the country for the development of students with exceptional skills. 

Leading the debate on the bill at plenary, the spokesman of the House and one of the sponsors, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, said the bill aims to establish legally-backed Gifted and Talented Centres in each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria to nurture exceptionally talented students and provide the necessary support and resources for their development.

The six centres, he said should be established in Suleja, Niger State for North Central, Takum, Taraba State for North East, Kaita, Katsina for North West, Bende, Abia State for South East,  Sobe, Edo State for South-South and Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Ekiti State for South West. 

Other sponsors of the bill are Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbare, Hon. Sada Soli, Hon. Mark Bako Useni and Hon. Tanko Adamu. 

The centres when established bill provide an environment conducive for the development of gifted and talented students, offer specialized and advanced curricula that meet the needs of the students and promote research and development in education for gifted students

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education currently runs a Gifted and Talented Centre in Suleja which lacks the legal backing needed for adequate funding and support, adding that the current educational system often fails to meet the unique needs of gifted children, leaving them unchallenged and uninspired.

He argued that establishing specialized academies can help nurture and develop the intellectual potential of children, while contributing significantly to Nigeria’s intellectual and economic landscape.

Read Also: Reps pass bill seeking special seat for women in Parliament for second reading

He said further that ensuring gifted children have the resources and environment to reach their full potential is crucial for national development and producing future leaders, inventors and innovators, moving Nigeria towards greater heights.

Rotimi stressed that the purpose of such centres is to provide fair chances to all gifted children, regardless of their background, saying many countries have recognized the importance of fosteringgifted individuals through specialized institutions.

He maintained that these centres will provide an environment conducive to the overall growth of gifted children since by investing in the talents of the youth, we contribute to the broader development and progress of Nigeria.

The bill he said contains a total of 15 sections that outline the establishment,objectives, administration, funding, and other relevant provisions for the centres.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, passed for second reading a constitutional amendment Bill seeking to provide reserve additional seats for women in the state and National Assembly. 

The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu was first passed by the 9th House, but failed to get concurrence in both chambers to scale constitutional amendment as required by law. 

Presenting the motion, one of the sponsors, Joshua Gana said the bill aim to addressing a profound imbalance in the nation’s legislative Houses inform form of the under representation of women in legislative houses at the national and sub-national levels.  

According to him, the bill seeks to alter the Constitution specifically to provide for seat reservations for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.  

He said: “It is anchored on the fundamental principle of equitable representation and aims to empower women by ensuring their voices are not only heard but that they actively contribute to shaping the legislative landscape and the overall development of our nation.

“The issue of gender equality and representation lies at the heart of our constitutional democracy.  Despite the constitutional guarantee of equal rights, the representation of women in our Legislative Houses has been alarmingly low. 

“In the 7th, 8th, and 9th Assemblies, women accounted for only 6.4%, 6.1%, and 2.7% of the Senate respectively; and 6.4%, 3.05%, and 4.7% of the House of Representatives respectively.  

“These statistics underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure equitable representation and amplify the voices of women in our legislative houses at the national and sub-national levels”.

He said the rationale behind the amendment is grounded in the principles of fairness and inclusivity, adding that hlobally, Nigeria lags behind in women’s representation in parliament, ranking among the lowest. 

Countries that have implemented affirmative action, like Rwanda and Andorra, have seen significant strides towards gender equality in governance. 

He said: “This bill proposes a temporary measure of seat reservation for women to catalyse similar progress in Nigeria, ensuring that women’s perspectives and priorities are fully integrated into our national and sub-national decision-making processes.

The bill proposes alterations Sections 48 and 49 to provide for one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, effective after the term of the current National Assembly and subject to review every sixteen years. 

Read Also: Reps to investigate NMDPRA, NUPRC over failure to enforce compliance

It also seek an alteration of Section 91 to provide for three special seats reserved exclusively for women in Houses of Assembly of each State of the Federation which shall be spread across the three senatorial districts of each State; while seeking consequential amendments to sections 71, 77, and 117 to ultimately establish special constituencies reserved exclusively for women, ensuring their direct election into and participation in legislative houses and processes at both the federal and state levels.

While all those who spoke on the bill supported the second reading, some members warned against passing a law that will offend the letters and spirit of the constitution. 

Minority leader said it was abnormal that Nigeria seats at the bottom of world ranking when it comes to women representation with about 3.9 percent of members of parliament being women.

The House of Representatives said on Tuesday, July 9, that there was a need for the federal government to urgently devise means of supporting teaching hospitals, medical centres, and universities with mini solar grids given huge and unaffordable electricity bills occasioned by new electricity tariff.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance by Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) on the need to support the Hospitals with alternative power generation to prevent loss of lives and disruption of their services.

Salam recalled that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) commenced the implementation of a new electricity tariff for Band A customers and raised the tariff from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N225/kWh. The hike represented a 240 percent increase.

He also recalled that the House had called on  NERC to suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff nationwide but the commission only made a downward review of the tariff from 225/kWh to 206.8/kWh, adding that the downward review still represented over 202% increment in the electricity tariff.

He said despite the directive by the House, some of the Discos announced a further increase in the Band A tariff from 206.8/kWh to 209.5/kWh which now represents over a 207% increment.

He said Teaching Hospitals, Medical centres, and Universities are all in Band A due to the peculiar need to constantly power medical equipment, and undertake procedures, among others that may be required to keep patients alive and deliver critical services.

He said this increment is huge and unaffordable by these tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, hence the need to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative.

He said before the new tariff regime, the University College Hospital, Ibadan was indebted to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to the tune of N495 million and had its power disconnected.

He said: “Very recently, the Secretary to the committee of Vice Chancellors of the Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, warned that if the Federal Government refuses to act on the challenges posed by the new electricity tariff, the federal universities might collapse soon as the high overhead cost will cripple their operations.

“On Thursday 4th day of July 2024, the University of Benin shut down academic activities indefinitely over a prolonged protest by students occasioned by the school’s inability to supply electricity, while on Friday 5th day of July 2024, the medical students of the University of Lagos protested and lamented how the new tariff has impacted the supply of water and electricity in their hostels

“If urgent measures are not put in place to remove the burden of the new electricity tariff on Teaching Hospitals, Medical Centres, and Universities in Nigeria, the entire health and education sectors may collapse; thus endangering the lives of our citizens.

“A mini-solar grid is a cleaner and affordable trending global alternative to regular hydroelectric supply. Mini-solar grids are small-scale electricity generators and energy storage systems interconnected to supply a localized group of customers independently from the national grid.

Read Also: Reps demand halt of allocations to unelected LGA administrations

“This innovative and sustainable energy solution is not unique, as some hospitals such as Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson, California, and CentraState Medical Center in Highland, Florida among others, power their hospitals with mini solar grids.

“In 2023, Rural Electrification Agency deployed 103 mini-grids across Nigeria under performance Based Grant (PBG), a subcomponent of the Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP) funded by the World Bank.

“If the federal government introduces mini solar grids across the Teaching Hospitals, Medical Centres, and Universities in Nigeria, it will serve as a safety net for these institutions who are currently struggling to survive due to hikes in the electricity bills.”

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, resolved to investigate the failure of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to enforce compliance with industry standards and support local crude refiners despite local production capabilities.

The investigation will also address the issuance of import licenses and other related issues.

The House tasked its relevant committees with conducting a forensic investigation into allegations of substandard product importation, introducing high-sulfur diesel into Nigeria, and selling petroleum products below fair market value, assessing their impact on downstream operations and local refineries.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Billy Adesuwa Osawaru (APC, Edo) and Hon. Phillip Agbese (APC, Benue), the House also resolved to investigate the resurgence of fuel queues at petrol stations, allegations of high PMS costs, and the unavailability of fuel stock for domestic downstream refineries.

The House is also to investigate disruption in the distribution of PMS products, unfair subsidization of PMS and other petroleum products racketeering and favouritism in the Pro Forma Invoice System (PFI) regime, indiscriminate issuance of licenses and importation of refined petroleum products.

Also to be investigated is the alleged return of PMS Price intervention, the allegation of product unavailability to marketers from NNPC Retail, the endless shifting of timelines for refinery rehabilitation, and the nefarious activities at petrol depots.

In addition, the House directed the relevant committees to carry out a legislative forensic investigation into the presence of middlemen in trading, indiscriminate issuance of licenses, unavailability of laboratories to check adulterated products, influx of adulterated products into the country, the allegation of non-domestication of profits realized from crude marketing sales in local banks and abuse of the PFI regime.

The committee is also to. Investigate the importation of products already being produced in Nigeria, use of international trading companies to resell fuel stock to local refineries, the allegation of return of subsidy on downstream PMS products, unclarity about the exact landing cost of PMS, reduction in retail price and its impact on downstream operations.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Osawaru said that in recent times, there has been a resurgence of fuel queues in petrol stations, with allegations of high cost of PMS and non-availability of fuel stock for downstream domestic refineries in Nigeria and disruption of distribution of PMS products.

He said there is also allegation of unfair subsidization of PMS and other petroleum products which negatively affects competitiveness in the sector as well as claims of racketeering and favouritism in the Pro Forma Invoice System (PFI) regime, indiscriminate issuance of licenses and importation of refined petroleum products.

He alleged the return of PMS Price intervention with its impact on the domestic market and the allegation of product unavailability to marketers from NNPC Retail.

The Edo lawmaker decried endless shifting of timelines for refinery rehabilitation, the nefarious activities at the petrol depot which have affected product distribution and caused scarcity, and the use of middlemen in trading which has negatively impacted domestic crude supply.

Read Also: Reps demand halt of allocations to unelected LGA administrations

He condemned the indiscriminate issuance of licenses, the unavailability of laboratories to check adulterated products and the influx of adulterated products into the country, allegations of non-domestication of profits realized from crude marketing sales in local banks, importation of products already being produced in Nigeria like jet fuel, AGO, etc and use of international trading companies to resell fuel stock to local refineries, and all issues surrounding subsidy regime.

He expressed concern about allegations of the return of subsidy on downstream PMS products, unclarity about the exact landing cost of PMS, reduction in retail price and its impact on downstream operations, the allegation of importation of substandard products and high-sulfur diesel into Nigeria, sale of petroleum products below fair market value and its impact on downstream and local refineries and as the source of funds for such interventions.

He also expressed concern about the failure of the regulators such as NMDPRA, NUPRC, etc to enforce compliance with standards that will help achieve the growth of the downstream sector and the lack of support to local crude refiners, and issuance of import licenses, despite local production.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, asked the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to withhold allocations from the Federation Account to local government areas in the country that are run by unelected officials.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance brought to the House by Hon. Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) and Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi on the need to address the refusal of state government across the country to uphold democratic principles in local government and financial impropriety in local government.

The House wants RMAFC to create a special account into which allocations due to local governments run by unelected officials will be paid until elected representatives are put in place by such state governments.

The House asked the Attorney-General of the Federation to institute legal action against any state that terminates the unexpired tenure of a local government.

Read Also: Reps urge FG to stop implementation of Samoa agreement, order investigation

Moving the motion, Hon. Kuye said Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, guarantees the system of local government run by democratically elected officials while state governments are to ensure their existence.

According to him, the same section mandates the House Assembly of every state to make laws for the establishment, tenure, structure, composition, finance, and functions of these councils.

He stressed that the local government, as envisaged by the constitution, is the most important tier of government as it is the closest to the people and forms the foundation of both the state and federal governments.

He said: “In December 2023, the Senate passed a resolution to stop allocation to some states after debate on a motion sponsored by the Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro on the urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy in local governments.

“Many Senators also urged the government to sanction other states that have disrupted the democratic system in the local governments and installed unelected caretaker committees.

“The dissolution of democratically elected councils is in direct contravention of section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Supreme Court pronouncements on such matters, and a deliberate affront on democracy.

“The number of states acting with impunity and in utter disregard to the constitution continues to increase as not less than 21 state governors are currently running local government councils with caretaker committees

“This impunity and disregard to the constitution is a deliberate effort to upstage democracy, frustrate accountability and transparency in the local government and also thwart their development potentials.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs Social Development has summoned the minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9, to explain the alleged diversion of about N1.5 billion meant for payment of contractors.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) who gave the directive at an interactive session with officials of the ministry, said the minister is expected to come and defend the whereabouts of the money with relevant documents.

The interactive session followed a petition by contractors of the ministry to the House over non-payment for contracts executed running into billions of Naira.

The committee also ordered the Ministry to stop all contract processes contained in 2024, until the issue of the alleged diverted money is resolved.

Read Also: Oronsaye Report: There won’t be job loss, says Reps Committee

The committee also asked the minister to come before it with details of the special account allegedly opened for the Chibok girls as well as the memorandum of understanding signed with the American University of Nigeria for the training of the girls.

The committee chairman alleged that the Ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted the N1.5bn into those contracts instead of using the money to pay old contractors.

According to her, the Ministry awarded fresh contracts in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation, while owing contractors.

“Money for contractors has not been paid and money released has been diverted. So how do you pay these contractors”, she asked.

She disclosed that there is an ongoing probe of the Ministry by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on overhead release of November/December 2023 to the tune of N1.5bn.

She said the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the American University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls’ school fees for seven years.

The committee is probing the N1.5 billion allegedly meant for the payment of contractors but allegedly diverted by officials of the Ministry.

Responding to some of the allegations, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Amb. Gabriel Aduda explained that in 2023, the ministry’s total budget was N13.6 billion with N3.4 billion, translating to 25 percent, while the unreleased balance stood at N10.2 billion”.

Director of Finance of the Ministry, Aloy Ifeakandu said he only complies with official directives from his superiors, saying the records are available.

He said: “I resumed the ministry in September 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came. The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote” he said.

The House of Representatives has asked the Ministry of Works to immediately revoke the contract for the construction of the flooded East-West Road awarded to Rock Result Nigeria Limited and re-award the same to a company with expertise and capacity.

The followed a motion at the plenary on Tuesday, July 2, alleging a lack of progress on the work several months after it was awarded by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforjil.

Oforji said the East-West Road is one of the important roads in the Federation which has significantly contributed to the country’s economic and social development and connects major regions facilitating trade, commerce, and cultural exchange, thus improving access to markets, industries, and social services.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works awarded the contract for the construction of the box culverts for the repairs of the flooded section of the East-West Road (Kaiama-Ahoada Section) to Rock Result Nigeria Limited, but the company has failed to execute the contract, causing traffic disruptions, loss of lives and fatalities.

Read Also: Reps probe WAEC’s IGR from 2019 to 2024

According to him, on 11 April 2024, the current Minister of Works on an inspection tour at East-West Road praised Rock Result Nigeria Limited, adding that to date nothing has been achieved on the contract.

He expressed concern that the East-West road has been in a dilapidated state for years, particularly at Iheke in Ahoada East local government of Rivers State, Aven in Patani, and Umeh in Isoko South Local Government

Areas of Delta State connect Bayelsa State to Rivers and Delta States and other parts of the country.

He said the federal government is prioritizing the coastal road over the crucial East-west road, which is vital for the country’s economic survival.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 2, mandated its Committee on Basic Examination Bodies to investigate the annual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collected by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) from 2018-2024.

The committee examines the financial books/records and financial statements of the Council during the period to ascertain compliance with existing laws governing the administration of public funds and reports within four weeks for further legislative action.

The committee was mandated to do the needful for WAEC to subject its year 2024 IGR for appropriation and approval.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Investigate Administration of Public Revenues and Expenditures of the West African Examination Council from 2018 to 2023” sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah.

The House noted that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) local is fully Treasury funded from the Federation Account.

It also noted that Section 80(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) states that no monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.

The House said, consequently, all funds received as examination fees from candidates for registration are considered public funds.

The House observed that the Council, in addition to its statutory allocation, obtained a credit facility of N5 billion from First Bank Limited in 2022.

It said though the credit facility was repaid within the same year, there was no full disclosure as to the purpose of the loan in its financial statement.

The House said it was cognizant that by Section 89(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, for any investigation, the Senate, House of Representatives, or a Committee appointed shall have the power to summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control.

It worried that as of January 12, 2019, WAEC has an investment of 2,974,510,000 units of shares worth N1,45,000,000 in Megatons W.A. Limited, a company that engages in the business of printing security and confidential documents.

The House said an additional investment of N32,255,000 was made in the same year, bringing the total value of the investment to N1,487,255,000 as of 31 December 2019.

However, it said, the company suddenly went into the liquidation process, and lots of provisions were made for impairment of the investment in line with Internal Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 9).

Read Also: Reps urge Aviation Ministry to probe alleged intimidation, extortion by security personnel at airport

The House said it was aware that N899,375,000 provisions for impairment were made on the total investment, and it represented 60% of the total investment.

The House said this is a huge loss that calls for questions as to why a proper investment decision was not made ab initio.

The House said it was also aware that the WAEC proposed expenditure for the year 2024 is N42.9 billion, whereas its IGR projection is N32 billion.

The House said it was cognizant of the need for the National Assembly to thoroughly appropriate WAEC’s humongous IGR, scrutinize the Council’s past financial statements and debt collection from State Governments to avoid further wastage of public funds.

The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Aviation to promptly launch an investigation into allegations of reoccurring incidents of harassment, intimidation, and extortion of international passengers by security personnel at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The House said that this would bring the perpetrators to justice, act as a deterrent, and preserve the credibility of the country in the global community.

The House mandated the Committee on Aviation to within seven days investigate the activities of the security personnel attached to the international wing of airports nationwide.

The committee is to bring the culprits to face the law, and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Address the Reoccurring Incidents of Harassment, Intimidation, and Extortion of International Passengers at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt” sponsored by Hon. Boniface S. Emerngwa.

The House noted that international airports throughout the globe are gateways into a country.

It said the safety of travellers as well as cargo is the main responsibility of officers attached to airports.

The House added that across the country, airports have consistently displayed high-security performance by the security officers on duty.

It also noted that some security personnel on duty at Nigeria’s international airports constitute major setbacks to the country, especially in the case of the international wing of International Airport Port Harcourt, where passengers arriving are exposed to severe harassment, intimidation, and extortion of money by the security personnel at the airport.

It observed that international travellers in particular are frequently forced to provide receipts for any personal belongings in their luggage and are the targets of extortion, charges, and excessive searches;

It was concerned that credible reports revealed that airport security personnel delayed passengers, causing un-receipted payments and charges, especially for foreigners.

The House said personal items are charged without receipts, bags are forcefully opened and searched, and valuables are stolen in broad daylight.

Furthermore, it said, the vile crime is committed in all the country’s international airports.

Read Also: Reps urge NAFDAC, SON to identify, punish culprits involved in production of fake goods

The House was also concerned that if these actions of the security agents are not checked, they will impact the struggling economy very negatively, as the country’s economic credibility will dim in the global market, thus discouraging foreigners and investors from coming into Nigeria to do legitimate business.

It was further concerned about the possibility of a sharp decline in the revenue generated by foreign visits for business, tourism, and other purposes, given that Nigeria is currently facing severe economic difficulties and that foreign investments are essential to bolstering the faltering economy and creating jobs for young people without employment.

The House said it was cognizant of the fact that the country’s monopolistic economy necessitates the participation of foreign investors to boost economic growth and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 2, asked its committee on National Security to investigate the recent twin bombing in Gwoza, Borno state to find a lasting solution to the current insecurity in the country.

The House’s position came just as some members of the House wanted President Bola Tinubu to weird the big stick and make a scapegoat of security chiefs in the country for not living up to the expectations of Nigerians.

The House also wanted a strong signal sent to Nigerians and the outside world that terrorism has no place in “our society and that we are committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the lives and security of our citizens.”

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance brought before it by Ahmadu Usman Jaha, the House condemned the twin suicide bombings in Gwoza and urged our security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and community engagement.

Jaha told the House that the bomb blast occurred on Saturday the 29th day of June, 2024 targeted a wedding, a funeral and a hospital in coordinated attacks in Gwoza, Borno State Nigeria.

He said this heinous act of terror has resulted in the loss of not less than 30 innocent lives and caused immeasurable grief and suffering to the affected community with many battling with their lives at the various hospitals.

According to him, the despicable nature of these attacks underscores the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in our nation, adding that it is imperative that we, as representatives of the people, stand united in condemning such acts of violence and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

Jaha said there is a pressing need for our security agencies to enhance their intelligence-gathering capabilities and engage more effectively with local communities to prevent the reoccurrence of such tragic incidents in the future.

He said: “Intelligence gathering is a critical tool in the fight against terrorism, and it is essential that our security forces pave the necessary resources and support to gather timely and actionable intelligence to prevent attacks before they occur.

“Community engagement plays a vital role in building trust and cooperation between security forces and residents. By fostering strong relationships with communities, our security agencies can gather valuable information, identify potential threats, and disrupt terrorist activities before they escalate into violence.

Jaha blamed what he called complacency of the people and the security agencies for the attack which he said killed about 35 persons aged 35 and below.

He said Nigerians have taken for granted the fact that the activities of terror groups have lessened in the North East and moved to the North Central and North West, Nigerians tend to have relaxed their mind and were no longer conscious of the people around them.

He said those who carried out the bombing came in a predetermined pattern, wearing the same uniform and were recruited and brought to the state to kill people.

Contributing to the motion, Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make a scale goat of heads of security agencies who have failed to secure the lives of Nigerians.

He said: “Recently at a security summit in Katsina, the Vice President said the President deliberately appointed Heads of Security agencies from the North. Last year, the National Security Adviser made the same allusion.

“These killings in the North have been one too many. It is high time we hold someone accountable. We must make a scapegoat out of one person. Lives are lost on a daily basis and no one has been sacked. 50 percent of our problems are security-related”.

Read Also: Reps urge NAFDAC, SON to identify, punish culprits involved in production of fake goods

He asked the President to sack all security chiefs and appoint those who can protect the lives of Nigerians.

His assertion for the sacking of the sexy chiefs was supported by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) while reminding his colleagues that it is not all security chiefs are from the North.

But former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase warned members against discussing security issues with so much emotion, saying doing so will always put the terrorists on alert, while disclosing strategies being planned.

He said rather than discussing the issues daily at plenary, the House should implement its resolution to dedicate a special day to discussing the issue at an executive session.