Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives on Thursday, June 6, mandated its Committee on Ports and Harbour to investigate the contracts for the dredging of the Calabar seaport in Cross River State awarded in 2006 and 2014.

The committees are to determine why the contracts were abandoned by the contractors and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

The Ministry of Transport was also urged by the House to re-award the dredging of the Calabar seaport to a reputable company with a mandate to complete the project within a specific time frame.

The House also urged the Nigerian Ports Authority to supervise the project to ensure a standard depth is established to enable larger vessels to berth in line with best global practices.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to Complete the Abandoned Dredging of the Calabar Seaport” sponsored by Hon Alex Egbona, Hon Abang Victor Bassey, Hon Akiba Ekpenyong, Hon Michael Etaba, Hon Bassey Joseph, Hon God win Offiong, Hon Inyang Emil and Hon Peter Akpanke.

The sponsors are all the members of the House from Cross River State.

The House noted that the Calabar Seaport is the oldest in Nigeria shipping goods such as palm oil to Europe and other parts of the world as far back as the sixteenth century.

It also noted that the port was privately administered and operated by various shipping companies, including John Holt, until December 1969, when the Federal Government took over the port facilities from the erstwhile operators and vested them in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

It further noted that the modernisation and expansion of the Port complex were embarked upon under the 3rd National Development Plan of 1975–1980 and commissioned by General Olusegun Obasanjo on 9 June 1979.

The House recalled that the refurbishment generated a considerable level of attention and activity, but for obvious reasons not unconnected to sabotage, the usage of the port did not last and has failed to live up to its full potential over time.

The House said it was aware that there have been diverse government proclamations on the dredging of the port dating back to the regimes of General Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha, but no tangible work has been done to rehabilitate the port.

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It said it was also aware that in 2006, President Obasanjo awarded $56 million dredging contracts to Dutch companies Jan De Nul and Van Oord, but both companies absconded without completing the task, leaving the port in a severe state.

The House said it was further aware that in 2014, the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, with a renewed sense of optimism, initiated Calabar Channel Management (CCM), a joint venture company between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and a consortium of companies led by Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited with a mandate to dredge the port.

The House was concerned that CCM was reported to have commenced work on the dredging, the current reality is that the port is yet to be dredged.

The House said the completion of the Calabar Seaport would decongest the Lagos Ports and reduce the hardship of waiting longer hours to clear goods.

The House of Representatives on Thursday, June 6, asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately set up a judicial panel of inquiry on prison attacks in the country and put in place measures to ensure that such assaults on the entire security apparatus of Nigeria do not recur.

Adopting a motion brought by Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Usman Rurum (NNPP, Kano), the House asked its Committees on Interior and Reformatory Institutions to interface with the relevant government agencies to constitute threat management in correctional centres across the country and collate data of inmates by enrolling them in the National Identity Number system.

He condemned incessant attacks on custodial facilities of the Nigerian Correctional Service and frequent escape of inmates convicted and awaiting trial have become dangerous trends as they portend grave danger to society and have become an embarrassment to the country’s security architecture.

He said the recent rainstorm incident in Niger State which resulted in the escape of one hundred and eighteen (118) inmates has again brought attention to the worrisome state of the nation’s correctional centres security architecture and the looming danger ahead.

The Kano lawmaker said that from September 2015 to July 2023, there have been reported cases of about seventeen jailbreaks across Nigeria, resulting in over 7,000 escapees.

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He alleged that prison officials are not properly trained to be infantry and confrontational, making it difficult to repel such attacks, hence the need to put in place upgraded prison facilities with better security armed guards, walls, perimeter fences, and solid gates, and the installation of modern equipment to easily detect security breaches and curb further attacks.

He said the grave implication of the jailbreak is the fact that the criminals have returned to society and their refusal to go back to prison indicates that they will continue to perpetrate more atrocities, leading to further breakdown of security across the country.

He said prison break constitutes a threat to national security, adding that stringent actions must be taken to avoid further incidents.

The House of Representatives on Thursday, June 6, asked the federal ministry of education in conjunction with state ministries of education to conduct a comprehensive review of the curriculum across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the country to improve the education standard.

The House said the reviewed curriculum should align with evolving global market demands, emphasising skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and adaptability.

Adopting a motion on notice sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam, the House also asked the Ministry of Education to integrate practical applications, promote critical thinking and innovation, and enhance digital literacy.

It said the Ministry should nurture essential soft skills like communications, teamwork, and interpersonal skills and address resource disparities, and ensure equitable access to qualified teachers, updated learning materials, and proper infrastructure.

In addition, the House asked the ministry to incorporate a global perspective, broadening the curriculum to encompass international issues and fostering global citizenship.

Leading the debate on the motion, Hon. Bamidele Salam said Nigeria’s traditional curriculum, for primary and secondary schools, faces challenges compared to advanced nations, while it equips students with knowledge.

He said the current curriculum “prioritizes rote learning over practical skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, which are very crucial in the current labour market, the curriculum might have a stronger focus on national subjects, potentially limiting exposure to global perspectives necessary to navigate the interconnected world”.

He said further that Nigeria faces challenges in aligning its educational curriculum with advanced countries, traditionally, the Nigerian curriculum has emphasized rote memorization and standardized testing, and while this approach lays a strong foundation in core subjects, it often falls short in.

He stressed that in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, advanced economies prioritize fostering analytical abilities and encouraging students to approach challenges with innovative solutions.

In addition, he said in equipping graduates with industry-relevant skills, the curriculum in developed nations often integrates practical training and exposure to real-world scenarios, preparing students for the specific demands of the job market.

While stressing the need to embrace technological advancements, Hon. Salam said integrating technology effectively into the learning process is crucial for success in today’s world. This area might require significant improvement in resource allocation and teacher training in Nigeria compared to its more technologically advanced counterparts.

He maintained that while the world is in flux, skills needed to thrive are constantly evolving, demanding a critical evaluation of current educational systems, the traditional curriculum may not adequately equip graduates for the dynamic labour market to bridge this gap, a comprehensive review of educational programmes at all levels is essential.

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He suggested that the review should focus on aligning learning outcomes with the demands of the contemporary world, fostering critical thinking innovation, and equipping students with tools lost to navigate an increasingly digital landscape, to ensure the education system remains relevant and empowers individuals to succeed in the ever-changing world;

He expressed concern that the curriculum prioritizes theoretical knowledge and rote memorization over equipping students with the practical skills increasingly demanded by the globalized job market, this could leave Nigerian graduates unprepared for the realities of workplace expectations.

He said the Nigerian curriculum, compared to advanced countries, lacks sufficient technology integration, hindering the digital literacy skills necessary to thrive in a tech-driven world.

He said the rigid curriculum structure limits student exploration and overlooks global perspectives, potentially hindering graduates’ adaptability and competitiveness in the interconnected world.

The House of Representatives has asked the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant agencies to develop a consumer protection framework that includes provisions for automatic compensation or refunds for prolonged service outages or significant deviations from advertised service levels.

It also asked the NCC to initiate a policy of Pay As You Go to all ISPs to minimize the high level of exploitation by ISPs for services not rendered.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi), the House asked its committee on communications to investigate the issue of service disruption by Internet Service Providers.

Leading a debate on the motion at plenary, Hon. Abejide said that numerous Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country have managed to evade accountability for their widespread inefficiency, feeble and inferior service delivery, while consumers are compelled to persistently pay for inadequate services due to the apparent absence of regulations governing their pricing and service provision, thereby enabling them to exploit Nigerians.

He said frequent service outages, slow speeds, and inconsistent connectivity are widespread issues faced daily by consumers, as in this digital age, an efficient Internet connection is a necessity, not a luxury.

He said further that consumers sometimes experience service outages for more than an aggregate of two weeks in a single month from some ISPs, with no mechanism for refunding subscription fees, thus perpetuating a disregard for consumer rights and leading to exploitation.

He explained that Legend, an ISP operating in Abuja, charges its subscribers a flat monthly prepaid rate despite knowing that its services are frequently interrupted, for example, this company offers various tariff rates, with the highest being approximately $83,000.00 per month, yet it rarely delivers uninterrupted service for even half of the month.

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He said Legend ISP deliberately provides reliable internet service only a few days preceding monthly billing, deceiving customers into renewing subscriptions under the false impression of satisfactory performance, before immediately reverting to its persistently inadequate service levels presenting an unethical business model of exploitation of consumers that requires accountability to regulators.

He said regulatory agencies have so far condoned the activities of inefficient ISPs to the detriment of consumers.

He expressed concern that the inefficiency of ISPs and their exploitative practices have far-reaching consequences on Nigerian society, hindering progress and negatively impacting business and economic activities.

He stressed that by addressing the inefficiencies of ISPs and promoting accountability, we can create a fair and inclusive digital landscape that empowers individuals, strengthens the economy, and fosters social progress.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 5, asked security agencies in the country to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the heartless, gruesome and despicable murder of soldiers by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, the House asked its committees on Defence to interface with the Armed Forces to ensure a comprehensive investigation to fish out those responsible for the act.

Yalleman lamented the needless and gruesome murder of the military personnel who were on peace missions, adding that the act has become a recurring decimal across the country.

According to him, this act of attacking and killing military personnel is often carried out through surprise attacks on military formations including checkpoints and even those on routine patrols.

He expressed sadness about the recent brutal attack on military personnel at a checkpoint at Obikabia Junction in Aba, Abia state where five soldiers were horrendously murdered by suspected gunmen, adding that perpetrators of the act destroyed and burnt down the military vehicles at the checkpoint while some soldier narrowly escaped with gunshot injuries.

He said the military personnel were on a peace mission in their service to their fatherland and ensuring the security of lives and property in that area.

He added that the form of attack and killing of military personnel by gunmen in the South East and other parts of Nigeria has the potential to dampen the morale of our armed forces, endangering the lives and property of Nigerians and affecting the insecurity war which has so far recorded some successes.

He said this could also lead to a retaliatory attack by the military and cause huge collateral damage to the people.

In his contribution, chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson said the attacks on military and security formations are provocative to the Armed Forces, describing them as one of the most priced assets that sacrificed so much in defence of the country.

He, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for his quick intervention in demanding that those responsible be fished out and brought to justice.

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He said: “The act of killing our military officers, the police and other security agents on duty is becoming a daily occurrence and therefore there is the need for a thorough investigation.”

While appreciating the proactive action of the Deputy Speaker in dousing tension and setting up a fund for the families of the affected soldiers, the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon Yusuf Adams Gagdi expressed concern that while the House was advocating for measures to end insecurity in the country, those who put their lives on the line to serve the country are being killed by non-state actors.

Gagdi said: “We must educate our people and deal with those killing our security men on a daily basis. We want our people to do their business in an atmosphere of peace, but killing our security men is not acceptable.”

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 29, turned down a motion calling for the deployment of machinery to help fight the growing insecurity in the country with a resolve to discuss the issue at a later date in an executive session.

However, sequel to the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday moved by the member representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency, Katsina state, Abdullahi Dabai, the House resolved to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a solution to the worsening insecurity situation in the country.

Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) had brought an amendment to a motion on banditry in the country, stressing that machinery was employed to work with security forces in the country to fight Boko Haram during the Jonathan era, stressing that they were later withdrawn by the government.

In one of the recommendations of its security summit, the 9th House of Representatives had asked the federal government to consider using security contractors (also known as machineries) in the fight against insecurity.

But some members kicked against allowing the motion to be approved by the House, warning that it would not be in the interest of the country to engage machinery, while some members suggested that retired soldiers be brought back to help the armed forces fight insecurity given their experiences.

Former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) warned the House against continuing the debate at plenary, saying no parliament discuss security strategies in the open, adding that the House should suspend the discussion in the open and reserve it for another day.

Dabai had said that the people of his constituency are living in a state of fear owing to constant attacks by bandits, saying, “Families have lost their loved ones, their means of livelihood, and their homes. The psychological trauma inflicted on the survivors, particularly those who have lost family members or witnessed the destruction, cannot be overstated. The kidnappings have further exacerbated the situation, with families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.

“The recent spate of attacks has resulted in significant loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents, thereby necessitating immediate intervention.”

Contributing to the motion, Jaha who represents Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno state, Ahmad Jaha called on the Federal Government to engage mercenaries, noting that more advanced nations than Nigerians are doing the same.

“Our security agencies are doing their best. Nobody is saying that they are not doing their best but there is nothing wrong if we engage foreign mercenaries to help us get rid of these insurgents, Boko Haram or what have you.

“Ukraine is stronger than Nigeria and so is Russia but these nations are using external forces. I believe this can be of assistance to this country because this war has been on for over a decade,” he said.

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However, his suggestion did not go down well with some members led by Abbas Adigun (PDP, Oyo) who argued that young military officers who retired during the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari should be engaged to fight the bandits.

He said: “I don’t think that the way to go is for us to engage mercenaries. Some young military officers were retired a few years ago. These young men can deal with the situation. They can get the job done.”

On his part, Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) urged the government to focus on addressing the challenges of poor access to education, adding that there is a nexus between lack of education and insecurity.

He said: “What is the correlation between insecurity and education? What is the correlation between insecurity and poverty? I think the government will need to create more access to education and focus on poverty alleviation measures. If you take a look at it, you will notice that in places where the level of education is high, insecurity is high and vice versa.”

The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon Pondi Gbabojor, has summoned the Minister of Environment and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear at its next sitting or face sanctions accordingly.

They were expected to show up on Tuesday, May 28, at a public hearing by the committee to address the devastating issues of gully erosion, perennial flooding, and desertification that plague many communities in Nigeria but failed to turn up.

The hearing was to address the adverse impacts of gully erosion in several communities across six states, namely, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Ondo; as well as the desertification disaster in Kano and the flooding disaster in Bauchi State.

The heads of the agencies were absent and did not send any representatives.

Gbabojor said the committee was displeased by their behaviour as it was the second time they were shunning the invitation to appear.

He directed the clerk of the committee to write to both of them, saying such an attitude would no longer be condoned.

“Clerk do a letter to the Ministry of Environment and NEMA and express the displeasure of the committee because this is the second time they are not showing up and it would not be condoned again.”

He stressed that the issues to be addressed were of urgent concern to the well-being of Nigerians.

He said the concerns were brought to the attention of the House, following the deliberation of some motions which were accordingly referred for further legislative actions.

He said the environmental crisis resulting from gully erosion is more prevalent in the south-eastern region and has reached an alarming stage.

The Chairman said the degradation has not only depleted the vast fertile land for agriculture but has also impacted the infrastructure such as roads, buildings and ultimately displacement of communities.

He said over time, perennial flooding had also unleashed its devastating consequences in many parts of Nigeria, especially in coastal and riverine areas, particularly Lagos, Delta, and Bayelsa.

This, he said, has resulted in great human, agricultural, and economic losses.

He added that equally, desertification, particularly in the northern parts, is swiftly encroaching.

Gbabojor said this silent but relentless crisis reduces fertile land, threatens food security, and deepens poverty.

He said the invasion of the desert has affected and continues to affect millions of people who depend on agriculture for their survival.

“As the Committee on Environment, alongside other pertinent committees of the House, we recognize the urgent need to address these challenges comprehensively and to chart a course toward sustainable solutions that will protect our environment and provide relief to the affected individuals and communities.

“It is in light of the above, that this Hearing is convened today, to enable us to gather insights from experts, stakeholders, and affected communities, and to deliberate on the multifaceted and severe environmental crises we face as a nation,” he said.

He said the House following its consideration of the motions, called on institutions of Government to amongst others provide immediate relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected residents and possibly resettle them; visit the affected areas, and carry out a comprehensive review to ascertain the extent of environmental damage caused by these incidents; and expedite the construction of shoreline protection as a matter of urgency to prevent further erosion-related damage and ensure the survival of these communities.

He said they are also to embark on a mass afforestation program that includes the planting of economic trees, development of shelter belts, and woodlots to enhance soil conservation, improve biodiversity and increase fuel wood, while also providing seeds and farm inputs that are resistant to drought; prioritize projects that promote environmental conservation in budgetary allocations; and allocate funds to accommodate the erosion control projects, flood management systems, and desertification prevention programs in the affected communities in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

“We must take proactive measures to forestall natural occurrences that lead to environmental degradation. This includes investing in research and development to better understand and predict environmental changes, by adhering to early warning systems and developing resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental shocks.

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“While I look forward to fruitful discussions and valuable insights that will emerge from this hearing, which will hopefully shape the future of our environment and the well-being of our people. I urge everyone to approach and accord this task the seriousness it demands and the collaborative spirit it requires. Together, we can develop and implement strategies that will protect our environment, provide relief to those affected, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Nigerians,” Gbabojor said.

The speaker of the House, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, said the prevalence of climate change had impacted the environment harmfully, resulting in an increased wave of erosion, desertification, flooding, and other forms of natural disasters that have assumed severe and worrisome dimensions in the vulnerable communities across the 36 states of the Federation.

He said the ecological threats have specifically caused deaths, displacement of homes, devastation of farmlands and means of livelihood, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to socio-economic challenges in communities across the eight states captured in the public hearing.

The speaker who was represented by the deputy majority leader of the House, Hon Abdullahi Halims, said: “As the People’s Parliament and in line with our Legislative Agenda of embarking on legislative processes and legal frameworks to address environmental challenges, the House resolved to respond urgently to the menace in the communities to stem the ugly tide. On this note, I urge you to feel free to make your contributions in the most resourceful and open manner possible to provoke positive legislative results.”

The House of Representatives mandated the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the Department of State Security (DSS) to ensure the speedy rescue of the kidnapped victims in Idda Ward, Kagarko Local Government Council of Kaduna state.

The House urged the Nigerian Army to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the areas affected in the Constituency for proper security for the citizens.

It also urged the service Chiefs to ensure adequate Security formation in the mountainous and crowded areas of the Constituency.

The House mandated the Committees on Police, Defence, National Security, and Compliance to ensure strict compliance.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent importance moved by the member representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Hon Gabriel Saleh Zock.

Zock informed the House that on the 8th of May 2024, kidnappers invaded Idda in Idda Ward of Kagarko Local Government Council and killed two persons, identified as Mr Yaro and Mr Ibrahim.

He said also some persons were kidnapped to unknown destinations including Hanatu Sati, Rose Mary Sati, Junior Samuel, Japhet Emmanuel, Chinedu (SNU), Salansa (SNU), Jostin Manda, Mrs Doris Markus, Morin Felix Mrs Abraham with her two children, whose names yet unknown.

He said there were also some students whose number is yet to be ascertained

Zock also informed that on the 14th of May, the kidnappers invaded Kwaturu Ward in Kachia and kidnapped four people in Kurmin Gwaza, and the following week, they also attacked Ungwan Tama and kidnapped five people.

The House noted that section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that the security, safety, and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government.

It noted that the activities of these kidnappers and bandits have been going on for a while now in Katari, Bishini, Awom, kachai Urban, Gomel, and Ankwa.

The House also noted that the second agenda of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives provides for improving the National Security of Nigeria.

The House worried that bandits’ attacks and kidnapping in Kachia Local Government Council of Kaduna State have continued unabated, and many women, children, families, and their loved ones have suffered to pay ransoms in return for their loved ones.

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It was disturbed that residents no longer go to their farms, which is their economic mainstay; all farming activities have been grounded with a likelihood of severe hunger in the Local Government in the year 2024.

The House also set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the gruesome killings and incessant attacks on the lives and properties in Eda Oniyo Community of Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 of Ekiti State.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion by the member representing the federal constituency, Hon Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo.

The House called on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to beef- up security/surveillance to forestall further occurrences.

It mandated the National Boundary Commission to intervene in the boundary dispute matter in the area.

The House of Representatives has urged the federal government and the Nigerian Army to reopen the Banex Plaza in Abuja immediately to resume normal business activities.

The House urged them to use modern technology, such as surveillance and closed-circuit television, to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack on Army personnel in the plaza recently.

The House mandated the Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Defence, and the Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the circumstances leading to the closure of Banex Plaza and the military’s involvement.

The committees are also to recommend more effective, less disruptive methods for handling similar situations in the future.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent importance on the closure of the plaza and the need for modern, civilised methods in handling security issues sponsored by Hon Whingan Oluwaseun.

The House noted the recent unrest at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja, on 18 May 2024, involving hoodlums who attacked Nigerian Army personnel.

It also noted the intervention by soldiers and policemen to rescue the attacked personnel

The House said it was aware that the attacked soldiers were unarmed and posed no threat, making the attack unjustifiable.

The House expressed concern about the temporary closure of Banex Plaza, a major commercial hub, affecting businesses and the economy.

It worried about the over-reliance on traditional, heavy-handed methods in civil matters, causing unnecessary disruption.

It also noted the inappropriate use of military personnel in civil matters, detracting from their primary role of national defence.

The House was further concerned that the Okuama crisis in Delta State, where 17 soldiers were killed, allegedly while on a peace mission, led to severe military reprisals and significant destruction.

It said this highlights the ineffective rules of engagement and the need for a review of military intervention in civil matters.

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“Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, the recent incidents at Banex Plaza and Okuama in Delta State underline the urgent need for a review of our approach to handling security issues.

“These tragedies could have been averted with proper engagement and the use of modern technology. We must ensure that the military focuses on its primary role of national defence while the police handle civil matters.

“I urge this House to support this motion for the immediate reopening of Banex Plaza and the adoption of advanced, non-disruptive security methods,” Whingan said.