7TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FIRST SESSION No. 40 209 iI!l""lllI.-liJ~ SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS Tuesday, 15th November, 2011 1. The Senate met at 10:37 a.m. The Senate President read prayers. 2. Closed Session: Closed Session 10:38 a.m. Open Session 11:55 a.m. The Senate President reported that the Senate in a Closed Session discussed issues of national importance and security. 3. Votes and Proceedings: The Senate President announced that he had examined the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 2nd November, 2011 and approved same. By unanimous consent, the Votes and Proceedings were approved. 4. Announcements: (a) Appreciation: The President, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria APPRECIATION On behalf of my family, I wish to express my profound gratitude to you my Bosses, the Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for your kind support and solidarity, as always. The solidarity and love shown to me during the Pro-Am Golf Tournament and Commissioning of the l Shole Championship Green Golf Course at Otukpo Golf & Country Club, St. Mark, Akpegede on Friday, November 11, 2011, cannot be quantified. PRINTED BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESS, ABUJA 210 Tuesday, 15th November , 2011 No. 40 That support was not just for me but an expression of our love for sports. And as such, we will continue to make legislations that will promote sports at the national level and engender its progress and development to the benefit of Nigerians. May God Almighty continue to bless our efforts, guide and direct the Senate and the National Assembly. (Signed) President of the Senate (15/11/11) (b) The President, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ANNOUNCEMENT On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I congratulate my Distinguished bosses who were conferred with the prestigious National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. They are: 1. Sen. Bello Hayatu Cwarzo, CON 2. Sen. Maina Ma 'aji Lawan, CON 3. Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, CON 4. Sen. James Manager, CON 5. Sen. (Dr) Bukar Abba Ibrahim, CON 6. Sen. Emmanuel Paulker, CON 7. Sen. Smart Adeyemi, CON This is truly a reflection of your selfless services to nation-building and mankind. It is an honour well deserved. I pray that the Almighty God will continue to guide and protect you, give you the wisdom and strength in the onerous task of piloting the affairs of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once again, congratulations. (Signed) Senator Dr. David A.B. Mark GCON, jnim President of the Senate. No. 40 Tuesday, 15th November, 2011 211 (c) Senator Victor Lar PLATEAU SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 15th November, 2011 The Senate President, The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nig., National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Sir, HOME GOING OF LATE SENATOR SILAS JANFA: SENATOR IN THE 4TH ASSEMBLY I write to welcome you and indeed all Senatorsfrom the Id-el-Kabir recess, at the same time, also inform the Senate of the demise of Senator Silas Janfa - a Senator in the 4th Assembly, representing Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone, i.e 1999 - 2003. He died on Tuesday, 8th November, 2011 at the los University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness. Born on July, 14th 1942, the late SenatorJanfa attended Langtang Mission Primary Schoolfrom 1950 - 1955, Sudan United Mission Secondary School Gindiri from 1956 - 1960. He later trained at the Universities of Ife and Hartford Connecticut, USA as an Accountant. Senator Janfa served his people and the country in various capacities: - 1. He was elected as Local Government CouncillorLangtang Local Governmentfrom 1977 - 1979, he was the youngest Councillor then. 2. He was thefirst Chairmanof Plateau Cooperative Bank, which later grew into the Lion Bank PLC that was acquired by Diamond Bank PLC. 3. Senator Silas Janfa was a pioneer Council member of the University of Ilorin. 4. He was a founding Director, los International Breweries. 5. Pioneer Chairman, los University Teaching Hospital Management Boardfrom 1979- 1983. Ironically he died at the site of the Hospital he started in 1979. 6. He was Director, Merchant Bank Securities 7. He was Pioneer member Plateau State University Council. 8. He was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeriafrom 1999 - 2003, while in the Senate he sponsored 2 very important but controversial bills - Bill for an Act to Regulate the use of Sirens and the Bill for an Act to compel the Geological Survey to ascertain the Solid Minerals deposited in every nook and corner of the country. While in the Senate, Senator Janfa was a member of the Senate Committees on: 212 Tuesday, 15th November, 2011 No. 40 a. Appropriation b. Commerce c. Public Accounts d. Federal Character e. National Planning f Privatisation g. Rules and Procedure He was Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts. Senator Janfa was at the time of his death, the Chairman Plateau State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (PLACC/MA). Burial arrangements by the family are still being sorted out and the final internment has been fixed for Tuesday 29/11/11. Thank you. (Signed) SENATOR VICTOR LAR Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone, on behalf of the family, the people of Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone, the government and people of Plateau State. One minute silence accordingly observed in honour of Late Senator Silas Janja. (d) Acknowledgment: The Senate President acknowledged the presence of staff and students of Jewel Model School, Kubwa, Abuja who were in the gallery to observe Senate Proceedings. 5. Personal Explanation: Rising on Rule 43, Senator Gyang D. Dantong (Plateau North) drew the attention of the Senate to two Reports on Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria Bill 2011, Occupational Safety and Health Bill 2011; and Sickle Cell (Prevention, Control and Management) Bill 2011 slated for presentation as contained in the Order Paper. He informed the Senate that the Committee has not completed work on the Bills. He sought the leave of the Senate for extension of time to enable the Committee conclude work on the Bills. By the leave of the Senate, two (2) weeks was granted. 6. Presentation of Reports: (l) Anti-Criminal Gang Bill 2011 (SB. 49) - Read the First Time. (il) Harmonized Retirement Age of Officers of Nigeria Armed Forces Bill 2011 (SB. 62) - Read the First Time. (iil) Binding Resolutions of the National Assembly Bill 2011 (SB. 64) - Read the First Time. (iv) Energy Commission of Nigeria Act No. 62, 1979 (Amendment) Bill 2011 (SB. 65) - Read the First Time. No. 40 Tuesday, 15th November, 2011 213 7. Committee on Niger Delta: Report on Screening of Nominees: Motion made: That the Senate do receive the Report of the Committee on Niger Delta, on the screening of the Chairman and Members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (ND DC) (Senator James E. Manager - Delta South). Question put and agreed to. Report laid. 8. Committee on National Identity Card and National Population: Report on Screening of Nominees: Motion made: That the Senate do receive the Report of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population, on the screening of the Chairman and Members of the National Population Commission (Senator Maina M. Lawan - Borno North). Question put and agreed to. Report laid. 9. Committee on Works: Report on Screening of Nominees: Presentation of Report deferred to another Legislative Day. 10. Joint Committee on Heath and Employment, Labour and Productivity: Report on the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria and Occupational Safety and Health Bills 2011 (SB. 02 and 04): Presentation of Report deferred to another Legislative Day. 11. Committee on Health, Primary Health Care: Report on the Sickle Cell (Prevention, Control and Management) Bill 2011 (SB. 59): Presentation of Report deferred to another Legislative Day. 12. Elimination of Violencein Private or Public Life Bill 2011 (8B.43): Consideration of Bill deferred to another Legislative Day. 13. Adjournment: Motion made: That the Senate do now adjourn till Wednesday, 16th November, 2011 at 10.00 a.m. (Senate Leader). Adjourned accordingly at 12:33 p.m. Dr. David A. B. Mark, GCON, fnim President, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria..