NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES
FOURTH ASSEMBLY
FIRST SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OFFICIAL REPORT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Tuesday, 15th June, 1999
The House met at 10.20 a.m.
PRAYERS
(Mr. Speaker in the Chair)
OATHS
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND
OATH OF MEMBERSHIP
Mr. Speaker: Good morning, Honourable members, I welcome you back from the weekend and I hope we all had a refreshing weekend.
I would want to call on hon. Members that have not taken their Oaths to please come down so that the oaths could be administered on them as
required by law.
The following members took and subscribed the Oaths, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law.
Member-Elect Damulak Jafaru Muhammadu (Shedam/Mikang Quaan-Pan)
Member-Elect Hariman Temi (Warri North/Warri South/Warri West)
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Mr. Speaker: I have examined and approved the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 11th June, 1999.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting of all PDP Members
Mr. Speaker: There will be a meeting of all PDP Members immediately after this Session, here in this Chamber. This message is signed by Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, Chief Whip.
Meeting of all APP members
Mr. Speaker: There will be a meeting of APP hon. members immediately after the business of the House. The venue is the usual Committee room. This is signed by Hon. Fidel Ayogu, APP Whip.
Meeting of all Members of the Ad-hoc Committee on Warri Crisis.
Mr. Speaker: The Ad-hoc Committee on Warri crisis will meet at 2.00 p.m. shortly after the day's Sitting. The meeting will hold at the Committee's Secretariat. Members are enjoined to attend the meeting.
Meeting of all North-West Members
Mr. Speaker: There will be a meeting of all North- West honourable Members at 3.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 14th June, 1999. The venue is No. 2, Hearing Hall, National Assembly Complex. This information is signed by Engineer Bako Sarai, North-West Forum Secretary.
Reduction of Room Rates at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja
Mr. Speaker: The management of Abuja Sheraton Hotels has written to inform this honourable House that, as their own contribution to democracy in Nigeria, they have further reduced their rates as follows:
Standard rooms - N5,000.00
Executive Rooms - N5,500.00
Executives Suites - N10,000.00
This is their contribution to democracy. (Applause)
The Lawmakers 1999 to the year 2003 Publication
Mr. Speaker: The final announcement is that honourable Members who have not taken photographs at the studio in the Lobby or who have not returned their questionnaires are requested to do so today.
Hon. Johnson Olaka Nwogu (Eleme/Tai Oyigbo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have an observation to make. A moment ago, you announced the approval of the Votes and Proceedings of the last Sitting. I just want to make this observation and also seek for a clarification. I have been going through the Votes and Proceedings and they are as brief as two-page document or at best three pages. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to know if this is what forms the official Hansard of the House because I know that this is not just a corporate meeting or a private business meeting, this is the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and every word spoken in this House is a living word by precedent. (Interruption).
Mr. Speaker: The Clerk has just Informed me that the Hansard which is the verbatim record of proceedings is being produced and that they will be circulated very shortly. The Votes and Proceedings is just the brief record of the Proceedings.
Hon. (Chief) Ola Kanwe: In thanking you for that clarification, I want to say that when we approve the Votes and Proceedings, and the Hansard as it were which is a verbatim report, we are actually not approving what we ought to approve. This is because at the end of the day, there may be no opportunity, as it were, having approved this , to contradict what is recorded against them in the Hansard. It is important, that before approvals are given we should see what is there, and know what is credited to each Member as to what he said because tomorrow, we will be judged by the things that are recorded there. (Applause)
Mr. Speaker: Thank you for your observation.
Hon. Nduka Irabor (Ika North East/Ika South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thought I should add one word to what you have just mentioned. With modern technology, we have done five Sessions already. It is ridiculous; we cannot defend not producing a single Hansard so far. If you keep delaying, we will lose trend of what our arguments are. We had a full day debating the President's speech and there is nothing to follow what the trend of argument was. We should sort out this matter of Hansard. There is no reason why it should not come out the next day. Even when technology was not this sophisticated, Hansard should be rolled out in two or three days.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. (Dr) Jerry Igbokwe (Idemili North/Idemili South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to point out that today is the 15th of June, 1999. On the 2nd of June 1993, we had some events that took place In this country. Unfortunately, we were in recess on the 12th of June, 1999. I would like to urge this House to have a moment of silence for those who died on June 12 and for the remembrance of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola whose activities and struggle brought us to where we are today.
An hon. Member: No! Nobody died on June 12, 1993.
Hon. Igbokwe: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I could hear an bon. Member say that nobody died on' June 12, but people died as a result of the events of June 12.
Mr. Speaker: I would want to call the attention of this honourable House to the fact that we have procedures on notice of Motion and I expect hon. Members that want to move a motion to follow these rules. (Applause)
Hon. Alli Lateef Adebola (Akinyele/Lagelu): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have an observation. My observation is that, this kind of Issue can be misleading. It is usually brought up, during Motion for adjournment and I observe that each time there is Motion for adjournment, after being seconded, then the question is put. This should not be so. Once a Motion for adjournment has been seconded, then there could be supporting Motions whereby you relay or reflect on so many issues concerning this country, like he is saying now either on June 12 or your constituencies; on various other things. People reflect on that. But usually, when the motion for Adjournment has been seconded, the hon. Speaker will just put the question. This is my observation.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you for your observation. We are going into the Motion on the Order Paper. The notice of Motion on Warri crises is on notice. The House will therefore not consider It until members digest the Notice of Motion.
I will now call on hon. Mohammed Bello to move his Motion.
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Protection of Lives and Properties of the People of the North-Eastern Geographical Zones of the Federation.
Hon. Members, I will like to raise an observation before I continue. I have two problems here: the herdsmen and then the armed bandits. I do not know which one, maybe the Speaker will clear the points. There are herdsmen who came into this country, we call them (Udawa/Tubawa). And then, we have these armed bandits who came in convoy to steal and maim the people.
(Interruptions).
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to move a Motion standing in my name, on the Protection of Lives and Properties of the People of the North Eastern Geographical Zones of the Federation.
In view of the fact that the people of the North Eastern geographical zone of the Federation have been subject of persistent attacks from herdsmen of the neighbouring countries, resulting in destruction of lives and properties; and considering the urgency required to put an end to such unwarranted attacks, this House do urge the Federal Government to:
(i) ensure strict enforcement of the immigration law controlling the movements of people in and out of the country with a view to checking the movements of the herdsmen from the neighbouring countries into those affected geographical zones and
(ii) provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of such attacks.
It is apparent to some of our colleagues here. I do not know how we can bring in this because I am new to the system. I do not know whether I can amend the motion before I move
It. (Interruptions)
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I think as the Hon. gentleman said, we are all new in the system and we should, please find a means of assisting him and not to discourage him.
Hon. Bello: I want to move the motion as amended to include, armed-bandits. I beg to move.
Hon. Ibrahim Zailani (Toro): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the Motion.
My people have been subjected to untold hardship. We cannot move or embark on our
economic activities. We cannot move without having treats of attack, either for our lives or properties. As a matter of fact, the threat is not only on the highways but also in our houses. I therefore, ask this honourable House to most sincerely consider this issue and ask the Federal Government to take urgent action.
Thank you, very much. I beg to second.
Hon. Mohammed Wakil (Damboa/Gwoza/ Chibok): Mr. Speaker, Sir, Hon. members, I think that the Hon. Member from Toro Federal Constituency,
(Hon. Ibrahim, Zailani) has just talked about that issue. The issue of this abuse is just like the Warri crises. Apart from complete breakdown of law and order, there is complete breakdown of communication. Just like the Hon. Member for Toro Federal Constituency
(Hon. Zailani), has said, in fact, if you travel just few kilometers, you will find out that your life is almost in danger.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is no need to pretend. There is no need to put in unnecessary sentiments here, I want to request this honourable House to please urge the Federal Government to take necessary action to protect lives and properties.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. Saidu Ahmed Bojude (Gombe/ Kwani/ Funkaye): Mr. Speaker, Sir, the issue before this House is fundamental especially as it affects lives and properties. This has become a perennial issue. Every year, around December after the harvest up to February or March, herds of cattle and flock of sheep go across to green areas in search of pastures up to the Gongola River and up to Benue, Adamawa and Taraba States. Along the way, they destroy harvested crops and further destroy plots of vegetables for the wet season farming.
Initially, it was not very serious but over time, it became a very serious issue in which after the destruction of properties they burnt settlements, kill people and kill a lot of livestock, like oxen and so on.
Each State in other geographical area has embarked on series of ways by which they can combat this mance, but unfortunately, none is
succeeding. This issue cannot be dealt with amicably by any state in isolation, and this is why it has been brought before the House so that the Federal Government will come in to co-ordinate the situation and solve it once and for all.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. Abdullahi Idris Umar (Yamaltu/Deba): Mr. Speaker, Sir, distinguished Hon, Colleagues, the issue of infiltration of the herdsmen from the neighbouring countries into the North-East subregions of this country is a very serious perennial problem. Our people have been subjected to perpetual fear and serious intimidation by these herdsmen. Quite often than now, they have constituted themselves into not only simple nuisance, but serious arm-bandits. They attack people on the roads, they, in fact, occasionally take over villages and chase away villagers from their homes. They completely take over the villages and render them hostages. This is a very serious problem of national concern. As a matter of fact, as I am addressing this honourable House now, a very serious incidence is taking place in a village called Buri, in Bauchi State in the North-East sub-region. They have taken over the village and chased away the people. The situation calls for a declaration of emergency. Due to the importance of the Motion and its contents thereof, I urge this House to pass a Resolution, calling on the President to issue a proclamation in accordance with the provision of the Constitution, declaring a State of emergency in the North-East sub-region. The proclamation should be sent to the National Assembly for endorsement and approval.
Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues the points raised by me and my colleagues are clear signals that this House should pass a resolution, calling on the Federal Government to immediately send
re-enforcement of all existing immigration laws to forestall this ugly situation. Our people are living in serious fear and under serious intimidation. Their lives and properties are not safe.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, I thank you for your attention.
Hon. Tony Anyanwu (Ahiazu/Ezinihite): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, based upon the representation of my hon. Colleagues, I have no reason to doubt what they have told us this morning.
I believe that objectively this House can take a decision that there has been a total breakdown of law and order within the zones mentioned and under the circumstance, our responsibility under section 11 of the 1999 Constitution arises, which is to ensure that there is peace and order within the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Under those circumstances, I believe that this House has the responsibility, in pursuance of its oversight capacity over the Executive Arm of Government, to ensure that the laws of this country are strictly enforced. I do recognise that under the ECOWAS Treaty and all of that, we have a responsibility to accommodate our brothers and sisters that are coming from the neighbouring countries. But the overriding principle towards our obligation under those treaties would be the national interest of Nigeria. I would urge that: this House, in addition to the parameters to the Motion before us, that we do
urge the Federal Government to contact the various countries that border us to ensure that they take this matter seriously so that we can enforce the sanctity of our borders within this country. So, I am urging this House to consider and treat this matter with the seriousness that it deserves that will accommodate the agitation of our Colleagues from the North by ensuring that this House passes the Resolution to ensure that there is peace, order and good governance within the North-East region, and indeed in the entire Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you, very much. (Applause)
Hon. Tukur Idris Nadabo (Bakori/Danja): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, this Motion is very vital to all the communities in the North-Eastern zone, especially in Katsina State and particularly in Bakori, where last year, some of the villagers deserted their homes when these groups came with guns, deadly weapons and arrows, matchets, etc. They drove the people away from their villages occupied the places. We want to
see our people live in peace irrespective of their tribe or religion. We are all human beings, and, therefore, this kind of ill treatment should stop.
I think it was the fault of the previous governments and some military leaders who were adamant on the issue. It is even surprising to know where these hoodlums get their deadly weapons from. We are now in a better position. We have to do something immediately to stop this menace outrightly.
The samething happened last year to the people of Gubakori Kandarawa when they were driven away with their families and the bandits took over their homes. How on earth can this type of thing be happening with the military in power? We will not encourage the military regime to come back again for ever.
(Applause)
Mr. Speaker: In order for us to get a speedy debate on this, let us hear more, may be, there are comments for or against the Motion. I think it will be more productive.
Hon. Dr. Enoma Ogbeide (Oredo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, my own contribution is that we are gradually being overdosed by the decision of the Ad-hoc Committee. We have a Committee on National Security and Intelligence coming up subsequently. I would think that for a proper job to be done, instead of taking these decisions, we had better exercise patience, allow the committee to go into action and submit a detailed report before we talk of how to address the issue. (Applause). So, in order not to waste the time of this House, I would advise that we check properly and wait for the information so that we take advantage of it.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: I call on hon. Kumalia to give his comments.
Hon. Muhammed Umara Kumalia (Maiduguri Metropolitan): Mr. Speaker, Sir, other Principal Officers of this honourable House, hon. Colleagues, by the special grace of God, I am the House leader. I rise to support the Motion moved by hon. Bello. Mr. Speaker, Sir, granted we could wait for these committees to be constituted before action could be taken, but this is the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Because of technical grounds, we cannot allow and see people being killed and maimed in their very homes simply because some procedures have not been observed in this House.
(Applause)
Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is almost the rainy season in the North-Eastern part of this country. Because of this threat, farmers cannot go out to their farms. Any time they dared to go to their farms, they are under the threat of this bandits from these neighbouring countries. As a matter of fact, Mr.
Speaker, it is absolutely important for us to do our jobs and show Nigerians that we care about the plight of the citizens of this country even if we have to constitute these Committees tomorrow.
(Applause)
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would not want to take much of the time of this House, but I would not want our focus to be derailed by any technical reason. Therefore, I stand in support of the Motion and equally in support of setting up a committee and also making an effort to ensure that immigration laws are enforced. I would therefore, urge this House to talk to Immigration officials so that some immigration posts are created along these borders because most of these bandits are not citizens of this country and therefore, the influx should be checked by the government.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole (Shomolu): Mr. Speaker, Sir, distinguished Members of the House, I do not really have a problem with the intent of this Motion. My problem is with the relief which the movers of the Motion are asking for. As law makers, we should be clear, precise and unambiguous. Now, let us go through what they are asking for.
Ensure strict re-enforcement of the
immigration law controlling the movements
The question arise, do herdsmen pass through immigration processes? Do bandits pass through immigration processes? Those of us who come from Lagos State have seen what armed robbery operations are like. They are like lightening. In two minutes, it is all over. It is a kind of strike force. Bandits who terrorize the innocent people in that part of our country do not pass through immigration processes. I wonder if the relief they are asking for is really what we should ask for. Herdsmen who drive their cattle probably drive them there through the bush. They do not pass through immigration process. I then do not known how immigration laws could be enforced on these two types of people who are the main culprits of this Motion. That is my problem.
Hon. Ibrahim Abdulahi (Sabon Gari): It seems that we are getting away from the Motion. We have a problem. The problem afflicts the North-West
region and North-East region. Just as my colleagues has stated, it affected Bakori, Sabon Gari, Katsina and Jigawa. It also affects every other state where we have some borders with our northern neighbours. This problems has always been there. The Motion is asking us to check these neighbours that are coming in to cause the problem. Some of us who are aware of it know that we have sub-standard cattle routes that these herdsmen follow and they have definite pattern of time that they get into these countries. We know where they are coming from, the route they follow, the time they come in, and we know the effect they have on our people. We are crying to the government. We are not asking for an Ad-hoc Committee to be formed. We are drawing the attention of the government to this problem so that we can enforce our existing immigration laws controlling the movement. The Motion did not ask for any committee to be formed. Please, let us understand what this Motion is asking for. We have a problem. We are drawing the government's attention to it.
Thank you.
Hon. Ahmed Lawan (Bade Jasuko): Mr. Speaker, Sir, distinguished hon. Members, I have just returned from home. I visited my constituency during this recess. What I found was shocking, to say the least. Several villages were destroyed, and burnt down to ashes by those herdsmen. Most of those who were able to run away from those villages are now living in Geshua town, the Local Government headquarters of Bade. And I wonder if we have any time to waste in recommending and supporting such a Motion. In fact, in addition to what has been written here, I will like to add that this House urges the Federal Government to
re-enforce and strengthen the Anti-crime patrol teams we have in that zone. This is because I was told that these people who come from Niger Republic are far more equipped and better organised than our patrol Teams. I would, therefore, like to call and urge this House that all of us should support this Motion in its entirety, and let there be quick action by the Federal Government.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. Ja-afaru Mohammed Damulak (Shendam/Mikang Quaan-pang): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members one of my hon. Colleagues made an observation that we are talking of immigration checkpoints while people do not pass through such checkpoints. He probably has a point. If people from a neighbouring country can come into your country, sack villages and towns and occupy them, it means you have been invaded.
Hon. Ja'afaru Mohammed Damulak (Shendam/Mikang Quaan-Pan): If the job is beyond the Immigration and the normal Police Patrol Teams, then I will urge this House to ask the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to live up to its responsibilities and that is, by defending the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (Applause) In which case, if the authorities charged with this for now cannot do it, then we need to call on people that have the necessary arms and know-how to do the job.
Thank you. (Applause)
Hon. Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa (Katagum): I have heard speaker after speaker on this issue and it will appear that anybody that under rates the enormity of this problem either does not understand what it means to live in constant fear or that he has a definite bias. Mr.
Speaker and Hon. Members, to lose life consistently and constantly for over two to three years is not a joking matter. I know in my own constituency and neighbouring constituencies in Bauchi State, there are villages that have totally disappeared after the looting, burning and maiming
of the people. The remaining living ones have moved to neighbouring States towards the Southern part of those States because the threats come from the North. Mr. Speaker, I know there are protocols in the ECOWAS community that allows free movement of the people within the sub-region for at least 90 days without Visa. I also know, Mr. Speaker, that the herdsmen do not cross normal established boundaries because they do not carry their cattle across in trains or motor vehicles. They Come by routes and these routes do not have to be approved. They come across our farmers who have laboured through the rainy season to produce their corn, millet and beans. As it is their tradition, they keep them on the farm and these people come to destroy all the efforts that these people have made. to produce their products.
Now, Mr. Speaker, we have heard of cases where reports were made either in the Local Government
Security Council by the State Security Service but then, nothing has been done to stop or to forestall the imminent attack by these people. We have SSS In every village in the Northern part of this country and they do report. I have spoken to some of them and they certainly do report that there is imminent attack. But when it comes to the Security Council in the Local Government, nothing is done. The DPO fails to take action because he is afraid to send his men to those areas to challenge these bandits. So, I think the answer here is; while enforcing the laws, we should make sure that the Police do carry out their responsibilities because they are being paid to do that. They should however be equipped whenever they complain of lack of equipment. But more importantly, not only with guns, they should be armed with communication equipment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Eno Sampson Akpan (Ukanafun/Orukana): Mr. Speaker, Sir, what they are talking about is external aggression against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It may look simple today but if we trivialise it now, we may regret it tomorrow. I want to support the Motion that we call on the Federal Government to take adequate security steps; not Immigration this time because it is above Immigration or the Police. They should do something about these two Zones - North-West and North-East.
(Applause) I do not think we have any reason to argue again. Let us put the question and direct the Federal Government to ack fast on this matter.
Thank you very much. (Applause)
Hon. Prince Uche Nwole Nelson (Mbatoli/Ikeduru): Mr. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, while supporting the Motion, may
I draw the attention of this Hon. House that we all come from different constituencies and what affects our colleagues today will affect us tomorrow.
(Applause) While being our brother's keeper, I will urge this Hop. House to quickly and very frankly urge the Federal Government to beef up security for these areas that are affected. This has gone beyond Immigration check point. This has gone beyond Customs or whatever authorities we have at these boarders. The problem I would like to highlight on is the way, our Government relaxes on laws that protect the lives of our citizens. Our neighbouring
countries know this and they are cashing in on it and they come and attack our innocent brothers. We should not allow this to continue. This is a problem that has happened over the years. It is not something that just started yesterday or something that has been there for just a month. This has been happening and for how long are we going to continue to look and watch our people being slaughtered? We are brought in here by the grassroots. These are the people in our constituencies who voted us in to come and represent them. As we are here in Abuja, we should not go home tomorrow only to find that they have all been slaughtered. I will therefore urge this House to please unanimously support the Motion. To this end, we urge the Federal Government to immediately send adequate troops to go there and protect our people.
(Applause) Thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker: I will now put the question.
Hon. Barr. Mohammed Wakil (Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok): Mr. Speaker, Sir, before you put the question, there is a Motion for amendment.
Hon. (Barr.) Mohammed Wakil (Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok): Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members, I am moving a motion for amendment to leave out:
1(I) Ensure strict enforcement of the immigration
law controlling the movements of people in
and out of the country with a view to checking
the movements of the herdsmen from the
neighbouring countries into those affected
geographical zones: and replace it with the following:
The Federal authority should with utmost
urgency mobilize all relevant security agencies
to the affected areas to curb the incessant
attacks on the citizens of the North-Eastern
areas with a view to permanently putting an
end to the activities of those bandits and
herdsmen.
I beg to move.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any seconder to this motion?
Hon. Chimaobi Nwakanma (Isiala Ngwa South): As a matter of fact, Sir, I want to go a little further
in the amendment of this motion as proposed by hon. Member for Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok (Hon.
Mohammed Wakil) to include the need for the Federal Government to enter into immediate discussions with the governments of neighbouring
countries on how to achieve effective control of -movement in our borders.
I beg to second.
Mr. Speaker: I will first put the question on the amendment.
Amendment put and agreed to.
Main Motion as amended accordingly put and agreed to.
Resolved: That in view of the fact that the people of the North-Eastern geographical zone of the Federation have been subject of persistent attacks from herdsmen of the neighbouring countries, resulting in destruction of lives and properties; and considering the urgency required to put an end to such unwarranted attacks, this House do urge the Federal Government to:
(I) Mobilize with utmost urgency all relevant security agencies to the affected areas to curb the incessant attacks on the citizens of the North-Eastern areas with a view to permanently putting an end to the activities of those bandits and herdsmen; and
(ii) Provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of such attacks.
An Honourable Member: Point of Order! Mr. Speaker, I am quoting from the Draft Rules of this House.
Hon. (Barr.) West-Idabosa (Ovia North East/South): Point of Order!
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Draft Rules are not in this House, so the hon. Member cannot order this House on an Order that does not exist.
Mr. Speaker: Point of Order overruled. I now call on Hon. Abioye Oyetunji to move his motion.
Hon. (Chief) Abioye Oyetunji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/ Boripe): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, like I said, we are all probably aware of the fact that many States and Local Governments have not been able to pay the recently approved N3,000 minimum wage. As a result of this, workers in those States have embarked on an industrial action for quite some time now.
Hon. (Alhaji) Lateef Adebola (Akinyele/Lagelu): Mr. Speaker, Sir, the mover of this motion has not read out the motion neither has he even proposed to move it, so I would want him to start by moving the motion formally.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Abioye Oyetunji, please move your motion first.
Minimum Wage Crisis in the States and Local Governments
Hon. (Chief) Abioye Oyetunji: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in my name that: In view of the fact that life has almost grounded to a halt in many States of the Federation due to the industrial action embarked upon by workers at the State and Local Government levels as a result of their inability to pay the recently approved N3,000 (Three Thousand Naira) monthly minimum wage and considering also the need for this august and honourable House to urgently address this sensitive issue in the interest of peace and industrial harmony which we all know are essential to the political stability and economic prosperity of the country; this House:
(i) do identify with the plight of workers generally who are on a nation-wide strike;
(ii) do advise the States and Local Governments to de-emphasize in the meantime, the execution of capital projects and payment of
outstanding debts in order to ensure that minimum wage can be paid henceforth; (iii) do assure the States and Local Governments of its sincere commitment to positively., tackle and resolve the matter of Revenue Allocation Formula, very soon;
(iv) do urge the striking workers generally to resume work forthwith in the interest of
the nation and its economic well-being.
I beg to move.
Hon. Lasbry Onuegba Amadi (Port Harcourt I): I have an observation, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am, a little bit confused about the Motion because, except the mover now tells me that there is a strike going on in a particular State, we all observe that there is no strike going on anywhere right now. So, I feel completely surprised that this Motion is coming before this honourable House.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Please, the Motion has to be seconded before comments. Is there any seconder to the Motion?
Hon. (Dr) Amos Lanre Idowu (Boluwaduro/Ila/Ifedayo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand to second the Motion moved by the hon. Member for Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe, (Hon. Abioye Oyetunji). I am seconding the Motion because it has adversely affected my State which is Osun State. I want to point out to the hon. Member that spoke last that he is not aware of any on-going strike in any part of the country. In Osun State, there is a strike action embarked upon not only by the teachers in the State but also by the civil servants. Uptill now work is at a standstill in the State. The present State Governor inherited an untold deficit that could not enable the staff salaries to be paid. (Interruption)
Hon. Olabode Mustapha (Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi/Owode): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, my observation is that all issues that have been happening, in an isolated case in a State, cannot be seen, with emphasis on paragraph (1), as a nationwide issue. That is my observation. It is happening in a State; it is not nationwide.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Have you seconded the Motion?
Hon. Johnson Olaka Nwogu (Eleme/Tai Oyigbo): Yes, I so move. Mr. Speaker, please permit me to make the following observations. First of all, by the trend we are going, we seem to be setting another pattern; a pattern where very important problems, as they were, come up and we seem to address them individually, the way we are doing now. I will congratulate the House for the collective will we are
exhibiting in the Warri and North-East issues and even now when we talk about workers plight, we want to all go in one direction.
Let me just make this comment. How did the workers problems come about in the first instance? Somebody in his good nature thought the workers should get more, made his pronouncement, had not checked what he had, and later discovered he cannot pay. The people are now saying that, he had promised and that he must pay, and then, the problems started.
Now, we are here with good intention, our honourable Colleagues have said workers should be paid. If you listen to the pleas he had made here, he had told the States to re-emphasize capital projects. Let them not do this or that. There is a very serious danger in moving this kind of way. I believe, very soon the appropriate 'procedure will take over, which is that the various Committees would be put in plate. I do pray that all these areas that are coming up individually would become a tonic for Mr. Speaker and the leadership of this House to move slightly faster in setting up some of these Committees. A matter like this should go to Employment, Labour and Productivity Committee. They will look at the issue on areas where workers are on strike and address it specifically. Every ad-hoc matter is a short-term solution. All the Committees that we have set up here, to deal with ad hoc matters, will just want to make a point, to identify with the people, just as the first prayer here indicates. But the critical resolution of these matters will be based on the efforts of the substantive Committees, who will be going into details on the Rules in trying to solve these problems.
So, let me, urge, Mr. Speaker, that every effort should be made to set up substantive Committees. But, right now, this House can go on in identifying with the workers as the plea No. (1) says: But beyond that, I do not see where we can begin to advise Mr. President.
Thank you.
Hon. Adamu Abdu Panda (Ajinji/Albasu/Gaya): Mr. Speaker, I want to observe that the Nigerian workers have an umbrella Union, that is the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). In view of the
Nigerian Labour Congress resolve to ensure a stable policy,they have called off the national strike. It is only the Nigeria Union of Teachers that have not abide with that call. I would want to observe that this honourable House has taken adequate measures to see to resolving the problems caused by the Nigerian Union of Teachers. So, for these two issues, I would want to say that this Motion is out of place.
Thank you.
Hon. Nicholas Ukackukwu (Abuja Municipal/Bwari): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Colleagues, I want to say, precisely, if the mover of the Motion want to talk about Federal Allocation in order to forestall all the agitations or complaints of the States not, paying minimum wage and other things, it is just a particular State; most States have paid their minimum wage.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers, as the other speakers said, have not been paid and we should tackle the problem. On the issue of one State, that should lie with the State House of Assembly. If the House of Assembly of that State decided that all the capital projects, all the debts they owed be stopped for the Governor to pay the salaries, I think it is their duty to do so.
If the Nigerian Labour Congress decided it is Federal problem, and they complain to us formally, we will be able to take action. Even if they do not and we know that it is causing problems, we should be able to tackle it, the aspect that we should tackle when the Committees have been inaugurated, in order to tackle the problem of minimum wage, is that of Federal Allocation formula.
Thank you.
Hon. Isiyaku Teri Kwaghe (Michika/Madagali): Mr. Speaker, hon. Members, my contribution is in line with what the hon. Member for Abuja Municipal/Bwari
(Hon. N. Ukachukwu) said that in as much as possible, we should leave isolated State problems to the State Houses of Assembly while we tackle areas that are of national interest.
My second observation is that some people, as much as possible, are trying to dominate contributions and debates on the Floor of this
Mr. Speaker should ensure that members who have not spoken be considered instead of allowing people who have spoken so many times to dominate the proceedings.
Thank you. (Applause)
Hon. Gabriel T. Suswam (Katsina Ala/Logo/Ukum): Mr. Speaker, I have consistently observed, just as the hon. Member for Michika/Madagali
(Hon. L. Teri Kwaghe) said that for those that shout, Mr. Speakerl Mr. Speaker! you seems to be paying much attention to them. This House should conducted with all decorum. The Rules provide that the Member should sit down quietly and raise up his hand and Mr., Speaker looks round and ask the Member to speak.
If Mr. Speaker discourages that act by ignoring those who shout Mr. Speaker! Mr. Speaker! and call those who sit quietly raising up their hands to speak they would stop. If it is by shouting, of course, female hon. Members might not speak throughout the four years we are to spend here.
Mr. Speaker, I think you should discourage those shouting Mr. Speaker! By the time you ignore them, they will stop.
Thank you.
Hon. Chijoke Edeoga (Enugu/East/Isi Uzo): Mr. Speaker, Hon Members, I would want to agree with the Motion moved on the need to draw attention on the plight of teachers. I would like to point out to teachers that the Minimum wage situation is not peculiar to them. In Enugu State (Interruptions)
Hon. Olabode Mustapha (Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi Owode): Point of order!
Mr. Speaker: What is your point of order?
Hon. Olabode Mustapha: My point of order is, that the honourable Member speaking is not properly dressed. He did not put on his cap.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you for the observation.
Hon. Nduka Irabor (Ika North-East/Ika South): Point of order!
Mr. Speaker: What order?
Hon. Nduka Irabor: The dress code for this House has not been defined and I think it is not polite to say he is not properly dressed, otherwise there are many more in this House who are not properly dressed.
Mr. Speaker: Continue, please.
Hon. Chijioke Edoga: I want to point out that it is not an isolated case. Enugu State also has the same problem of minimum wage and I am sure that the other States are having the same problem. What I want to plead is that we do not have to wait until the proper committees are constituted before we discuss this important national issue. Just like the Warri crisis, the minimum wage issue is also important. It is appropriate that we discuss them here even if we do not make any emphatic pronouncement on them, we would seek to draw national attention to them and the relevant agencies would seat up to address them.
Thank you, Sir.
Hon. (Chief) Anthony O. Efekodha (Isoko): Mr. Speaker Sir, I am supporting the minimum wage crisis issue in the states and Local Governments, but the prayers are at variance completely with the motion because they are two different issues.
On the minimum wage issue, it is quite clear that most of the states were crying that they could not pay, so the question of whether the people are now on strike or not is not the issue. Having heard that cry, the buck was passed back to the Federal Government to look at the issue more critically, and in looking at the issue we should establish whether they can raise enough money to pay the minimum wage because the bulk of the money that goes to the States comes from the Federal Government. So, asking us to pass the buck' to the States is like just passing the buck. I think we are not right. What we should do is to properly put the issues before the Federal Government and secure the consent of the Federal Government, whether indeed this minimum wage can be honoured or whether it should be
lowered and make it uniform all over the country. if some States can pay higher than that, that is left for those States but we should establish a minimum wage.
In fact, I was reading in the papers some four days ago when Ghana also adopted a similar measure. Their minimum wage was established as N1,800.00 (one thousand eight hundred) naira after conversion and it was reviewed to N3,400.00 (three thousand four hundred) naira. The issue of minimum wage came because of the serious disparity in some Federal institutions where-some were paying higher.
Hon. (Chief) Obeten Okon Obeten (Yakurr/Abi): Point of information!
Mr. Speaker: What is the information?
Hon. Obeten Okon Obeten: The information is that it does appear some honourable Members here have not assumed their proper position in relation towards the Federal Government. We would have the Revenue Bill presented to this House. At that fora, we shall determine in this House what should accrue to the States. That is the responsibility given to us by the constitution. When you come, sponsoring motions, saying we should assure States and Local Governments of our sincere commitments to positively tackle and resolve matter of revenue allocation
formula, you are just opposing this House as against the Federal Government while this House is the Federal Government. So, I am thinking that further discussions on this minimum wage is a bit premature for now.
That is my information.
Mr. Speaker: Your information is noted.
Hon. (Chief) Efekodha: The problem at the end of the day must fall back to us because whatever the revenue that is accruable to the States will be approved here, anyway. So, I am of the opinion and strongly too, that the issue of minimum wage for this country be established and to do that the appropriate Bill that would enable this to be achieved should be established.
Thank you very much.
Hon. (Comrade) Uchenna Ekwe (Anaria/Awgu Oji): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to advice the House that right now all States and Local Governments have reached agreement with the labour union on minimum wage. Any State or Local Government that is not paying is renaging on the agreement. It was based on that agreement that the NLC called of the nation-wide industrial action. I think, for now, the most important thing is that an ad hoc committee on resolving the teachers' situation be set up to resolve the teacher's problem.
I agree entirely that the issue of wages and salaries must be addressed properly so as to resolve it, but I also want to inform this House that we cannot do it now because there would be a lot of consultations with the Trade Unions. If we do it unilaterally, we would still have problems because the process of collective bargaining may not be achieved, and that would bring us back to square one after we may have taken a decision. For the time being, I know that the only problem that is existing nationally about minimum wage is that of teachers, others are those who want to renage on the agreement, maybe, in one or two States. Those States as for now, may be handling those matters. Thank you.
Hon. Olugbenga Onigogi (Atakumosa East & West/Ilesha East & West):
Mr. Speaker Sir, Deputy Speaker, fellow Colleagues, the Motion before us seems not to be properly positioned in the sense that we are trying to deal with the effect and not the cause of the problem. The issue at stake is that of the minimum wage as decreed by the defunct Federal Government. Unfortunately, most of the States cannot afford to pay, notwithstanding certain agreements that was reached with certain Labour Unions. It is a known fact that the gross revenue of certain States cannot support the payment of salaries alone. Certainly, there must be labour crisis issue.
What I am looking at is that the most important thing is the issue of Revenue Allocation in prayer
(iii) of the motion which was not properly positioned as well, because the mover of the motion is saying:
Do assure the States and Local Governments of its sincere commitment to positively tackle and resolve the
matter of Revenue Allocation Formula.
They do not have the power to tackle the issue of Revenue Allocation Formula. It is the National Assembly that has the power to do so, but in view of the fact that all these anomalies are causing problems in certain States of the federation, we must admit that what some states are now paying is not justifiable and this is why their workers are insisting on this minimum wage.
I am urging this honourable House, to please, move a Motion that the Federal Government of Nigeria should look critically and urgently at the issue of Revenue Allocation Formula in its entirety to correct the
anomaly.
Thank you.
Hon. Musa Elayo (Awe/Doma/Kiana): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want us to know the Motion before this house. The crux of the Motion before this House is that States and Local Governments staff are right now on strike nationally as a result of the issue of the Minimum Wage. As far as I am concerned and to the best of my knowledge, virtually all the States of the Federation are today working, sc also virtually all the local governments.
The issue brought before the House, Mr. Speaker, I wish to observe further, is that we should ask this striking workers to go back to work and that we should tell our various governments not to execute capital projects, not to pay debts but to only concentrate on the issue of salaries of civil servants, That is what the Motion is saying because civi servants are on strike.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, every Nigerian has a right to be defended by this honourable House. We would identify with every Nigerian, whether he is a worker or he is a contractor and most importantly with the common man for whom we are here for, and the only thing we can do to the common man is to see that capital projects are executed.
So Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am urging this honourable House to say this Motion has been overtaken b, events and we should drop the Motion and forge ahead.
An hon. Member: Put the question, Mr. Speaker.
Question put and negatived.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I would want to draw the attention of this honourable House to two very simple things. If in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Member of this House cannot stand up and air his views and say what he feels is right, then there is no where in this world that he would get up and say these things. I would appeal to honourable Members to please try as much as we can to be tolerant on this Floor. This is the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is the House of the people and we are their elected representatives, and of course, we come from different areas, different parts of this country, with different religious beliefs. We should try as much as we can to understand the problems. It hurts me when an hon. Member gets up to talk and people shout him down. I am appealing to this honourable House that this is the only place in this country that we have our representatives all over this country and if any Member gets up to talk, at least, we owe a duty to listen to what that representative has to say. That is democracy, provided they are within the rule of law. This is very important. So, I am just appealing to this honourable House.
Number two, this honourable House should also understand that for the past sixteen years, there has been no democracy in this country until now. When I say there has been no democracy, I mean no legislature.' If others have the executive and judicial arms of government, we are the legislative arm of this country. So, let us try and work together for the betterment of the whole nation. This is a plea from me, please.
Thank you.
Hon. Florence D. Aya (Kaura): Mr. Speaker, hon. Members, I know that many of us who came in would like to be heard by our Constituencies and some Motions are being passed without being vetted.
I would like the Speaker, and the other Principal Officers of the House of Representatives to vet all Motions to see that the Motions that are being brought into. this House are relevant with what is happening on daily basis. This is because at times, some Members may have this kind of Motion in the pipeline for long and by the time it comes to the Floor, of the House, events have overtaken it.
Therefore, I want to beg this honourable House; we should not come here and just waste time over an issue that is not relevant. Once again, I want to beg the Clerk and his Staff and the Speaker of this honourable House to vet all Motions that are brought into this House so that we do not waste time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you very much, your observation is noted.
Hon. Altine Oga Idikwu (Oju/Obi): Mr. Speaker, Sir, an honourable Member raised an addition to the Motion passed as amended and I want it to be seriously looked into. I am reminding the House that any presentation by the Federal Government to the neighbouring countries to restrain the movement of their people before this action that we have asked the Federal Government to take is taken so that they should not hold us responsible for whatever happens to their citizens who infiltrate into this country.
That is all, Sir.
ORDER OF THE DAY
Debate on the Address of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(Second Allotted Day)
(Adjourned debate 10 June, 1999)
Mr. Speaker: I will now call on hon. Alan Monsur Owolabi for comments on the speech of Mr. President.
Hon. Monsur Owolabi Alao (Lagos Island II): Mr. Speaker, Sir, having gone through Mr. President's Speech, I have examined an area which is Education. Mr. President, for the last quarter said, he will launch Universal Primary Education and make it compulsory. The President did not tell us whether this education is going to be free at all levels. If we go by our Constitution, education is supposed to be free at all levels. Now, we have been launching and re-launching Primary Education in this country. We have voted a lot of money on the educational sector, yet we do not see the effect. At
this point in time, if you look at our schools in Nigeria today, they are all dilapidated and yet we are voting money every year. If we really want to make it compulsory, we just have to vote in more money so that all the schools will be repaired, the teachers will be well catered for and then our children will be provided with clean environment. If you look at the teachers, they are all contractors, going from one Ministry to another looking for contracts. They do not stay in the classrooms again to teach our children. If you put smiles on their faces, they will all sit down and teach our children. So, my submission now, Mr. Speaker, is that we should try and make more funds available to the education sector.
(Applause)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Adegbe Benson Anthony (Owan East/West): Mr. Speaker, Sir, the address of the President is crucial and very revealing. I crave the indulgence of Mr. Speaker to allow me to comment and express opinion on three areas of the address. Firstly, at the concluding part of the address, where Mr. President said that he will be bringing a Bill to this honourable House to enable us repeal old Laws and amend them if necessary. It is my submission, although I am not in Court, that an old Law is an existing Law. If the Law is existing and it Is to be repealed or amended, the only thing Mr. President should do which I am asking Mr. Speaker to ask him to do, is to take available all the old Laws to this honourable House which are: The 1990 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria - 24 volumes, and these should be given to each and every one of us to enable us study them and repeal those bad ones and amend those to be amended. Thereafter, from 1990 to 29th May, 1999, there were other Laws made which were called Decrees or call them by whatever name you like. We still need them. Until we have all those old Laws, we cannot amend the Laws he is bringing to us. So, I am applying through Mr. Speaker to Mr. President to make the Laws available before the Bill is ever sent to us.
The second area is also crucial. He has earnestly employed us to join him in his vanguard in fighting against corruption and crime. We are prepared to do this. How do we fight crime and corruption? It is by expanding the existing regular Courts. They are the Magistrate and High Courts. Every Local Government should have a High Court and at least,
one or two Magistrate Courts. All other Courts such as Tribunals and Military Kangaroo courts should be wiped out because they are no courts at all. They are breeding grounds for this corruption and crime. Then, Judges have to be paid very well as it Is done in the United Kingdom and the United States .of America. I will propose as an example, that a Judge should be paid at least as much as a governor of a State. Then, Chief Judges of the Federation should even earn higher than the Head of State. It Is so in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America so as to make them comfortable and to be able to do their jobs without fear or favour.
Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Al-Mushi Al-Gadas AI-Hassan (Jalingo/Yarro/Zing): Mr. Speaker, Sir, in as much as this honourable House has welcomed the address by Mr. President, I would like to make some comments. First of all, I will comment on corruption and crime. As this honourable House is aware and every Nigerian knows, the rate of crime and corruption is so high. Mr. President has already stated so in his own action plan and it has come to this honourable House. What is left for him now Is to follow up these action plans and not make it a theoretical aspect so as to move this country forward.
Secondly, I will like to comment on the education sector. This honourable House is aware that there is no home in this country that is not so concerned about the state of our education. Everybody f. aware that education is one of the most important aspects In human life.
Presently, we are facing a problem caused by the Nation-wide strike by the teachers which is causing a lot of damage to educational development of our children. I will rather advice Mr. President to stick to his own action plan, so that when he comes to the House of Representatives, the hon. Members can join hands with Mr. Speaker to find a solution to this problem.
Hon. Isiaka Adelakun Adekunle (Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon Members of this House, my comments on Mr. President's speech go as follows: Mr. President has no doubt addressed as on issues affecting this nation.
The speech borders seriously on corruption. I, therefore, want to advise Mr. President to consider the following measures:
(i) Nigerians who are corrupt stick on corruption
because of fear of the future and possibly because of the attitude of the leaders. Mr. President who is now leading us should try to lead by example.
(ii) The Public Service we all know is embedded with corruption. So, I would advise Mr. President to take drastic measures studying the Public Service. Civil Servants are known for corruption. A lot of them are corrupt.
Furthermore, there is no doubt that education is the bedrock of any nation. It is important that we address this area very well. I would advise Mr. President to consider increasing the posts being given to this sector. Our tertiary institutions are in shambles. We should address these areas squarely. Our best lecturers are moving out of this country to seek greener pasture due to lack of infrastructure and basic facilities in our institutions. I urge Mr. President to consider this area in order to arrest the situation. Furthermore, corruption is the order of the day in the Police Force. I want Mr. President to sanitize that area too, otherwise, all efforts being put in place will be jeopardised.
(iii) On economy, there is no doubt that the nation is facing dwindling resources due to some projects which I consider unreasonable to the economic well-being of our citizens. I want Mr. President to consider pulling out the Nigerian contingent from ECOMOG. The money being expended on this gigantic foreign project that has no relevance to the well-being of our people can now be utilized to improve the welfare of our people.
(iv) Lastly, Mr. President should ensure good governance. Once there is good leadership, people will follow and emulate.
Thank you.
The Speaker: I call on hon. Aliyu Musa to make his contribution on the President's speech.
Hon. Aliyu Musa (Mani/Bindawa): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, Mr. President's speech is a very beautiful one and well focused and they have touched on all facets of our national life. But one particular area that caught my attention was the one that included mutual understanding, mutual respect, peaceful co-existent and ability to co-habit with one another peacefully. By so doing, the President made us believe that we are reconciling ourselves. It is no secret that one of the evils affecting our nation is the issue of marginalisation. Who was marginalising who? In this case, the reasons they were advancing for the so-called marginalisation was a distraction in all forms. Like I earlier said, who was doing this marginalisation? Was it the military? The military marginalised all of us. You have the Hausas, the Ibos, the Ibibios, the Gwaris or any other tribe. So, it was a very simple appeal by the President, Chief Obasanjo, that we should wait for four more promising years of transparent honesty and purposeful leadership after which we can go back to the drawing board of restructuring. Then individual, group or community can thereafter talk about marginalisation. So, I would like at this point to urge my hon. Colleagues who came with voluminous documents on restructuring to tear or shred them and put them in the waste paper basket. Let us please not waste our valuable time on this very volatile, deceitful and unnecessary time wasting issue. Let us concentrate on other developmental areas.
Thank you very much.
The Speaker: I call on hon. Mustapha Gajibo to give us his comments.
Hon. Mustapha A. Gajibo (Dikwa/Fats/Konduga): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members I have read through the President's speech. It is a well written speech which has a lot of promises. My comment here is not on long speeches but on implementation. I will choose two issues there: the first one is Unity, Faith, Peace and Progress. He has fairly spoken that Nigerians are of different ethnic group, different religions and different ambitions. This mean that unless you put them together as it is supposed to be, we will create problems for ourselves talking about marginalisation of a political group or religion. The second point is that I hope Mr. President will make sure that in the appointment and consideration of people into some top offices, consideration will be given appropriately to various groups in the nation. Again, we cannot make any
progress without development.
Development in this country has been so slow and when we look at it, we do not have enough energy and power to establish industries. There is no way we
can develop without industries. I pray and wish he will consider very seriously the issue of national grid connection to all parts of the country. If we stay like this for 25 years, some parts of the country will never be developed unless power is extended to them. I know that there are some areas where I think have been marginalised in this aspect. So, the President should look at this issue very seriously as he mentioned that we have to make progress and progress can only be made by developing some of these infrastructures.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. Oladotun Animashaun (Kosofe): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to join others in applauding the President for the marvelous and thought provoking speech he made in this house during the inaugural session. I am particular in agreement with the President on the issue of reconciliation. In his speech, he mentioned reaction to the political turmoil of the past few years, various groups have been expressing their perception of true federalism, some talk of restructuring the federation, others demand the application of revenue allocation formula based on the principles of derivation and not below. There are those who want funds sent straight to the Local Councils. These demands are mostly borne out of frustration, the fear over the persistence of the federal government to invade on the freedom of association of the people. In my view from that statement, I believe the President is still one of those who believe in the powers of the central government having almost all the powers of the federation. I beg to disagree with the President on that and I wish that this House will reflect that true federalism is something in which all the states of the federation have their own powers which are needed for the good governance of the States and the power of the federal is reduced so that all the problems we have whereby everybody wants to be President is reduced.
Secondly, I also want to point out a matter in the question of privatisation. I am all for privatisation of the government institutions that are not performing, but the government,
( I think this must be a typographical error,) because the President said that:
government shall seek to do that because June, 1999 experience has proved that it is incompetent to handle. I think the government should do that which it is only able to handle and I do not think government is good at handling anything which is private. The present President has not shown any interest in privatization and I wish this House will urge him to please privatise most of our institutions so that they can perform to the benefit of the people of this country.
Also, I wish to join others in helping the President on the issue of corruption. Corruption is endemic in this country. You cannot have a file passed from one table to the other in the civil service without putting something down. I can say that and I can prove it. It is not right. The military has bastardized the government with the co-operation of the civil servants. Now, that the peoples' government is in place we should help the President, if not to totally eradicate corruption, to at least, cut it by two thirds, by which time it will be nice to live in this country. Thank you, very much.
Hon. (Barr.) Tony Anyanwu (Ahiazu /Ezinhite): Mr. Speaker, with due respect, I do not intend to waste time on this issue but notwithstanding, I believe that we should all be thankful that we have been given an opportunity wherein the President should make an effort to at least address some of these issues in a body Nigerians are represented. To that extent, I believe that we have scored a good point. But that notwithstanding, when you look at the speech, I just want to concentrate on the problems of this country which, is reconciliation and which perhaps, serves as the main focal point of the speech.
Mr. President talked about his despair, his frustrations, misrule and then the failure of the central authority to meet the hopes and aspirations of Nigeria.
I will urge the Hon. Members to consider this speech from two directions. The first is that when you look at the speech and the contents of e speech, that is a way of analyzing it. You car analyse the speech, based on things that are no contained in it and, so, I want Hon. Members to also
look at that. By not mentioning some of the genuine and strategic issues in this country, perhaps, Mr. President has taken a position that those issues are not relevant. That notwithstanding, I would like to draw the attention of Hon. Members to a quotation in the speech which I believe is on page two and I am concerned about this and I will quote from the 8th paragraph - an inventory, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
An inventory of our grievances would reveal that without exception all sections have felt marginalised in last fifteen years.
All sections have felt - felt in what sense? Is it in terms of perception that people felt marginalised or is it in terms of impact that really that Nigerians have been marginalised?
Again, we go to, I think gage 5 under Education, second paragraph. The President talked again and I will quote:
We will seek the co-operation of the international community and non-governmental agencies in designing and executing our programmes. Then the last sentence goes on:
Then we will relaunch the Universal Primary Education and make it compulsory. I am disturbed by this statement. Is the President under the impression that until we seek the cooperation of the international community and the non-governmental agencies that we cannot re-launch a programme that has been found to be successful and functional in this country? I am disturbed by that statement.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, overall I believe the speech was a good one. There are areas that are of concern to me. I believe that Nigeria today, in order to have a just and effective society, we must look at the Judiciary. Mr. President's remarks was totally silent on the Judiciary. I am a Lawyer by profession and I am concerned about the inadequacies and the inefficiencies within the text and perhaps, the most vibrant organ of government, the Judiciary, being omitted. I will urge this House and the President to consider immediate and necessary judicial reforms in Nigeria.
Finally, Mr. Speaker I would urge Nigerians today in consonance and in alignment with the general consent of the President's speech that we ought to make sure that the Constitution of Nigeria, because I have heard some of my colleagues refer to the 1999 Constitution as a working document that
the Constitution of Nigeria is supreme and to that extent we must ensure that the sanctity of this document is upheld within the territorial confines of Nigeria.
I would urge everybody who is in a position of authority in this country to show restraint and I am particularly referring to the incidents in some of the States, such as the Lagos State House of Assembly, Imo State House of Assembly Anambra State House of Assembly and particularly, the incident and the assertions of the Governor of Anambra State, where he made assertion that his Deputy had tried to assassinate him. I think the time has come and we must begin now to show restraint with the kind of utterances that we make in the public.
Thank you.
Hon. Arewa Mohammed S. (Gudu/Tangaza): Mr. Speaker Sir, honourable Members of this House, having gone through Mr. President's speech I only pray Almighty Allah to give us helping hand to help Mr. President to do all that I have seen in His speech.
Really, Mr. President talked on corruption in Nigeria. What I want to say here about corruption is this: are we ready to help Mr. President to avoid corruption in Nigeria?
Several Members: Yes!
Hon. Arewa Mohammed: Mr. Speaker, that is only what I want to say. (Applause)
Hon. Jonathan Asake ( Zango Kataf/Jaba): Mr. Speaker, sir, honourable Members, I want to make my input on the President's speech and the particular subject-heading is Economic Recovery. This span from pages 2 to 3. the President mentioned here that as steps towards revamping the economy, there would be rationalization exercise. My comment on this is that the moment this rationalization is mentioned something touches my mind, remembering the exercise like this that has taken place in the past. Often times, people have taken it to mean victimization and the guidelines that are often given for the exercise are so stiff that if they are to be used in toto it means that not even Mr. President himself would remain. Therefore, I suggest the following: That the terms and conditions
of the exercise should be spelt out and reviewed. Secondly, that there should be a system of monitoring the exercise to ensure justice and fairplay, because there has been instances in an organisation where the boss does not like you then he applies the condition to the staff or just because there is something that is personal which is not against the interest of the organisation and you are included or someone close to the boss hates you and your name is included. Therefore, there should be a monitoring body that should monitor the exercise so that justice and fairplay would exist.
Thirdly, there should be a constituted institution for redress by the staff affected by this exercise where they feel that they have been unjustly rationalized because this rationalization where there is victimization, where somebody is dismissed in the name of rationalization, I think it is uncalled for. So, there should be a body or a system of seeking redress.
Fourthly, for retirees, a system of speedy payment of benefits should be worked out. Instances exist where you find that somebody has been retired, he has his family, he has his defendants and he is left for years without having any pension. The case of railway workers is still fresh in our minds. So, this must be worked out.
I also want to comment on what he called, fighting and prevention of corruption. We all know that corruption is an established institution in Nigeria today. You all know what I am talking about. The institution is well established in all the departments and we know the founders. If this menace is going to be fought, then we need to go a few years backwards. If we are doing that, then we are going to get the Departments that were established, say from 1985 up to this time then we would know that we are closing down corruption.
Thank you very much.
Hon. Asamu Raymond Ola Owolabi (Imeko Afon/Yewa North): Mr. Speaker, honourable Members of this distinguished House, my own views to the speech of Mr. President are these: Firstly, I want to comment on the two issues of restructuring and privatization.
Mr. President made mention that he is going to restructure Nigeria but I am here to tell you that once our nation's parastatals are privatised, it would
compound unemployment in this country. Secondly, I want honourable Members in this House to take note of one thing. In the past, right from the regime of Babangida down to Abacha's regime there was no democracy then but now we are here today. In the speech of Mr. President, he did not inform us whether the initiative of the old dictators would exist in the House, I mean the ECOMOG which is a wasting body for the fact that the ECOMOG spends about $3.6 million on soldiers there whereas some of our power plants like the Egbin Thermal Station need less than N6.9 million for its refurbishment. Our Federal universities and tertiary institutions and public schools need to get their laboratories up-dated and they have accommodation and remuneration problems but here in Nigeria today, we are talking of restructuring and privatising our nation's parastatals. I would like this august House to pay close attention to the privatization of the nation's parastatals, because it is very very important.
Thank you.
Hon. Wilson Asinobi (Ogba/Egbema/Ahoada West): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will first say that I may be repeating what others have earlier said because for the past two days - Thursday and Friday, 10th and 11th June, 1999; we were away in Rivers State on a national assignment and if I do that, Please take it as if I am re-emphasizing what others have said.
The speech of Mr. President to say the least, has touched virtually all important areas of our national life. But, I would say that I was a little bit baffled that nothing was mentioned in the areas of health because this is one vital area of our life that is badly abused as the educational sector. I feel that much can be done especially as it bothers on the welfare of our people.
Another area is that of reconciliation. We are reconciling, but when you look at the burning issue today, the economy rests so much on the peace within the Niger Delta but nothing was mentioned in that area. As to what Mr. President is doing to restore permanent peace in the Niger Delta we believe that if there is peace there, it will also have impact on the economy. Be that as it may, I would say that the speech came down to a point where I
felt completely, re-assured especially under the economic recovery where Mr. President said:
Let me pledge here that I shall spare no effort for the Ultimate success of the Nigeria nation.
I think I will rest my case here believing that Mr. President will do all within `his power to ensure the success of Nigeria nation.
Thank you.
Hon. Nya Eyoma Asuquo ( Calabar Municipal Odukpani): Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members, I will like to comment very briefly on Mr. President's Speech. As an economist, I would like to concern myself on the aspect of economic recovery and I would like to divide my contribution into three sub-sections - Foreign Reserve, Foreign Dept, and Transparency and Accountability
In the area of Foreign Reserve, there is total confusion as to the state of our Foreign Reserve. The immediate past but one finance Minister said that as at June, 1998, Our Foreign Reserve stood at $9.3 billion. The Ministry of Finance said it stood at $7 billion and the immediate past Head of State said it stood at $6.7 billion. This is a situation of total anarchy. There is something wrong. If our Central Bank and Ministry of Finance cannot give us the exact figure of our Foreign Reserve at any point in time, therefore, I would like through Mr. Speaker, to say that we should compel the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to give to this Honourable House, as a matter of extreme urgency, the Foreign Reserve position as at June, 1998, and May, 1999. Even yesterday, It was embarrassing that,
Thisday carried in its front page, a contradiction, as to even the performance of our national economy for 1998 between the Central Bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance. I am not happy.
In terms of our Foreign dept, we are told by the International Monetary Fund that our foreign debt stands at $28 billion. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and all the financial institutions have told us that less than ten Nigerians have more than this amount in their bank accounts in Europe and America. They have also told us that they would be ready to help us in the recovery of this money, this House can prove to them that such funds were illegally taken out of this country.
I would, therefore, like to say through Mr. Speaker, that without prejudice to any action that, the executive might be taking for the recovery of such funds, that this House should take steps independently to see that such funds are recovered.
(Applause).
Finally, Mr. Speaker, on Accountability and Transparency, a nation that does not reconcile itself with its past, will surely mortgage its future. It is as a result of this time tested axon that I ask this Honourable House to put in motion the necessary machinery to probe every Administration that we have had since January, 1994 to May 28, 1999. I think we owe this as the irreducible minimum of our contribution to the building up of a corrupt free society. Finally Mr. Speaker, Sir, I come from Caabar, the home of Export Processing Zone (EPZ). This country has invested more than N20b to build that Zone and previous governments have been fighting shy of commissioning it. By not commissiog it, this country is losing a lot in term of Foreign Exchange on a daily Basis. So I Appeal that this House will take steps to compel the Federal Government to commission that project.
Thank you. (Applause).
Hon. Ado Dogo Audu (Jema'a/Sanga): Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members, the speech of the President is quite a very good one but I want to comment on reconciliation issue.
It when is we have conflict that we need reconciliation. In the speech of the President, some talk of restructuring the Federation with separate Defence, Law Enforcement Command, while others demand the application of the Revenue Allocation Formula. There are those who want the country carved into six geo-political zone. These demands are mostly borne out of frustration. Therefore, I would like to give some suggestions on this reconciliation issue so that we can live in harmony.
We need to promote nationalism. We can borrow a leaf from Tanzania in this respect. Today, if you talk to a Tanzanian on any religious or tribal sentiments, he would rebuff you by saying that he is a Tanzanian and that is all he needs.
There must be quick and effective redress of poverty. Too much wealth side by side with too much poverty will not do anybody good . So also is.
There must be quick and effective redress of poverty. Too -much wealth side by side with too much poverty will not do anybody good . So also is rigid adherence to federal character in employment at the Federal level.
There is also the need to redistribute facilities all over the country. As at today, the emphasis is more on urban areas rather than rural areas. There is also the need to redress the educational imbalance in the country considering the importance of education to both personal and regional development.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: I will now call in the House Leader to move the motion for adjournment till tomorrow, 10 o'clock.
ADJOURNMENT
Hon. (Barr.) Mohammed Wakil (Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok): Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members, I hereby move that this honourable House do stand adjourned till Wednesday, 16th June, 1999 at 10.00 am.
Hon. Solomon Agidani (Apa/Agatu): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to second the Motion.
Question proposed.
Report of the Ad hoc Committee on Selection
Hon. Alexander Nwofe (Abakaliki/Izzi): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to observe that at our last sitting on Friday, it was resolved that the ad-hoc Committee on selection will present their report today. I have also observed from the Order-Paper for today that that very item is conspicuously missing. I thought that it would be proper to give us information that, at least, the committee is working and the stage they are. This is because the issue of standing rules to guide this honourable Assembly is very, very important.
Thank you, Sir.
Soliciting for Information
Hon. (Alhaji) Lawal Ibrahim (Funtua/ Dandume): Mr. Speaker, Sir, mine is a question and I want to be put through. In the event that Mr. speaker fails to call somebody on the Floor to speak and that someone has a genuine case which he wants to inform the House about, how does that person present the issue to the House?
For instance, there was a Motion sponsored by Hon. Bello Mohammed on the North-East and the issue transcends North-East, in fact, it affects North-West as well and there was a sweeping statement on Katsina only. In Katsina Province, a traditional ruler, the District Head of Mairuwa was Killed by some herdsmen. I had wanted to make a contribution as regards that but I was not given the chance. So, I have a case as regards that and how do I put it across so that I get opportunity to speak on it?
Mr. Speaker: In the interim, before the House Business and Rules committee is inau urated, you can either write to my office or the House Leader who will take it up. But I hope before the end of this week the House Business and- Rules committee would have been inaugurate and they will be in charge of these things.
Thank you, very much.
Meeting of the Ad-boc Committing on the NUT strike
Mr. Speaker: There shall be a meeting of the Adhoc Committee on the NUT strike at 4.00 p.m. at the Conference Room of the National Assembly Complex.
Meeting of All the AD Members in the House
There would be a meeting of all the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Members at the usual auditorium Hall after today's sitting. (Announcer- Chief Whip)
Meeting of Honourable Members from Borno, Yobe and Jigawa states.
There will be a meeting of all honourable Members from Borno, Yobe and Jigawa States on 16th June, 1999, after the business of the House, in a Committee Room in National Assembly Complex. (Signed: Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Song).
Meeting of the Honourable Members from Osun State.
There will be a meeting of Federal House of Representatives Members from Osun State in the Chambers immediately after today's proceedings. (signed: Hon Gbenga Onifowoje)
Meeting of PDP Members in the House
There will be a meeting of all PDP Members in this Hall immediately after this session.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved: That the House do stand adjourned till 10 a. m tomorrow.
The House adjourned accordingly at: 1.00 p. m.