SEN. SARAKI REMARKS AT A PUBLIC HEARING ON 9TH FEBRUARY, 2017.

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe...

 

1. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this public hearing jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, the Committee on Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes and the Committee on Foreign Affairs on two very significant Bills which are:-

• Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016 (SB. 224); and 

• Small Claims Courts (Establishment Bill, 2016(SB.44).

2. While it is generally admitted that as a nation our development and growth has stagnated as a result of the menace of corruption, it is also telling that the fight against corruption has been painstakingly cumbersome because of the inadequacies in some of our core anti-corruption laws. As a parliament, we fully understand our role in carrying the constitutional responsibilityand obligation of ensuring our laws are constantly reviewed and updated according to modern realities and exigencies.

 3. It is also a known fact that crime is now established on an international scale and so therefore, there must be collaboration between various countries in the world in our quest to help reduce crime. The essence of The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill is to help facilitate and establish strong partnerships between Nigeria and foreign governments in combating criminal activities that transcend geographical borders and assume international dimensions, irrespective of whether they originate from Nigeria. 

4. Distinguished Senators, ladies and gentlemen, I must thank the Executive for sponsoring this Bill. Fighting and extinguishing corrupt practices can only be successful where the appropriate framework exists. Too many times we have seen stalled cases and investigations because of legal technicalities and loopholes in existing laws. 

This Bill is a positive step in bringing an end to the many setbacks we may have experienced and would go a long way in providing the legal framework to bring about clarity in gathering and transmission of evidence or any other information between Nigeria and foreign government agencies in investigations ofongoing criminal matters.

5. The Small Claims Court Establishment Bill is the Second Bill for deliberation. This Bill has the potential to address a very pertinent issue that has beleaguered the Judiciary for many years:incessant delays in adjudication of minor cases. Justice delayed is equivalent to justice denied and correcting this anomaly is at the very soul of the Small Claims Court Establishment Bill. 

  

With the establishment of such courts, the burden on regular courts will be drastically reduced thereby creating a more efficient and effective adjudicative process across all cadres of courts in the country. As obtained in developed democracies like the USA where all States have small claims court, the rules that govern them emphasize informality and timely resolution of dispute.

6. Furthermore, it should be clearly emphasized that this Bill is one which targets the affairs of the working class citizenry. These are the people who cannot afford to waste their already limitedresources in long drawn out court cases. The National Assembly is very sensitive to the plight of every Nigerian and will continue to be forward thinking in ensuring that each, a single Naira can go a little further for our citizens.

7. I commend the Senate Joint Committee for the organization of this public hearing. With the calibre of legal juggernauts and concerned stakeholders present, I am very sure we have provided the right platform to make further inputs on the provisions of the proposed legislation.

8. In the light of the above, I sincerely thank you for coming and I wish you all a very fulfilling deliberation. I hereby declare today's public hearing open.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

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Saraki: Our Plans to Take Nigeria Out of Recession

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe...

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday told the visiting  European Union (EU) delegation  that the National Assembly was working on some legislations aimed at propelling Nigeria  out of the current economic recession.

He also commended the EU for monitoring the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, which he said has set new standards for other African countries to emulate.

Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, told the EU delegation on Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group led by Mr. Santiago Fisas that the legislators know that without good economy that can sustain improved standard of living of the ordinary citizens, the legislature would not be seen to have succeeded.

He said the Senate for example have identified 11 economic recovery bills which can help to create a veritable environment for private investment to thrive, jobs to be created, infrastructure to improve and the national Gross Domestic Product to rise.

"We are focusing on the economy. We are working on how to continue to improve on economy. We are making all efforts to get us out of recession. We have our economy recovery plan. We are also looking at some priority Bills, infrastructure sector that will help to enable private sector participation which will bring more money for government in the social services sector, like education and health.

He also commended the role the EU role played during  the 2015General Elections in Nigeria as he said  "for the first time we have been able to transfer power from one party to the other and in a peaceful manner. I think it has sent signal all over Africa. There was a peaceful transition in Ghana as well. It was almost done  in Gambia, but I  don't know what happened but we finally did it."

According to the Senate President, "It is clear that what ever we have done well in Nigeria, it has an effect all over the continent. I hope that is the beginning of smooth transition. I want the EU to  continue with the role you played and we thank God that it went well, I commend you and hope that  it will encourage you to come back when next needed."

"Let me also thank EU for picking our member in  the National Assembly here as one of your partners , I know that in achieving that, Nigeria see it as a positive move, and that you recognise us as important partner.

"I discussed widely with some of our colleagues in the House of Representatives. They talked about democracy and election issues and as a government,  I am sure they might have mentioned it to you, we are at the final stage of reviewing some of the existing laws that guide our elections.

"We have learnt some lessons from the 2015 elections and we would see how we can improve on existing laws and see that new amendments when passed, will strengthen our democracy. Our focus is on the humanitarian crisis in the North East. We are also making an attempt on parliamentary actions on what we can do on gender issues.

"There has been stop and start but I know we will get there. We are addressing that also. So, in the area of partnership, I hope you have been discussing with some of our colleagues on framework with the area of focus we can look at, where there can be partnership and can also be support for legislators. I think that will help us because we are going towards a period of time where we are looking at some of our laws that have been existing for more than two three, four decades with a view to review them.  Now and we have time to review someone them.

"With what is going on now, it is time we brought those laws in line with today's economy. So, this will help you determine the kind of support the legislators needs to help them address the challenges ahead for the country.

"By and large, we talked about open parliament. For the first time, I think by next week, we are going to have a public hearing on the budget process to enable members of the public to have a say in the making of the Appropriation law. It has never happened before. We have not done this before. What we used to do is when we get the budget, we send it to Committees for defence. Now, we are engaging the public to improve the participation of the public in the budget processes", Saraki explained.

Earlier, leader of the EU delegation,  Fisas said their visit was to explore better ways of enhancing the partnership between the European Union and the  Nigerian Parliament, particularly on how to deepen democracy, Human Rights, poverty alleviation, gender parity, Civil Society and Media interaction and how to find solutions emanating thereof.

"We believe that relationship between states and the parliaments are important for the growth and development of democracy and development", said Fisas who added that already the EU Parliament has entered into similar partnership with other countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Honduras, among others.

He said the EU knew the importance of Nigeria in Africa and that fact informed the extension of its hands of fellowship  to Nigeria's parliament.

Also speaking during the meeting, Senator Kabiru Gaya who was recently elected Vice President of the Inter Parliamentary Union of the African Group said the delegation had already met with the speaker of the House of Representatives and other officials of the National Assembly.

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Senate drills 46 non-career Ambassadors

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe...

 

The senate committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday began the screening of the 46 non-career Ambassadorial Nominees sent to its by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters-Senate, Senator Ita Enang while presenting the nominees to the committee on behalf of the President acknowledged the brotherly handling of issues, communications and matters from the Presidency saying that it all for the interest of the Nation.

Senator Enang commended the leadership of the senate and its committees for showing depth and cogent experiences when considering presidency communications and congratulated the nominees for their appointment, wishing them a successful screening exercise .

The chairman of the committee, Senator Munsurat Sunmonu while welcoming the nominees and the Presidential Aide to the exercise said the Senate will continue with its avowed commitment to support the Presidency in addressing sensitive issues that has to do with the country and her citizenry.

She said the appointment of Ambassadorial and other key appointments cannot be effective without the confirmation of the Senate as back by the law.

The committee drilled the curriculum vitae of the nominees one after the other. Questions asked were on Foreign policies, affairs and international relationships .
The nominees were given time to analyze their experiences in public and private services.

One of the nominees, a former Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr Baba Ahmed Jida said challenges faced by envoys ranges from language and policies of different countries. said when reappointed, he will harness and align with programmes and policies of country posted to, to ensure peace and tranquility.

Another nominee, Hon Justice George Adesola Oguntade, a retired Supreme Court Justice promised to explore all means within his disposal to ensure Investors patronize Nigeria. Urging Nigerians to discourage affluence spending and invest in agriculture and manufacturing firms.

Those screened and cleared were Mr Goni Modu Zanna Bura, Yobe ; Yusuf Maitama - Bauchi ; Ahmed Ibeto, Niger ; Hon Kabiru Umah, Sokoto ; Dr (Hon) Etubom Nya E. Asuquo, Cross River ;Baba Ahmed Jida, Borono ;Alhaji Garba Gajam,and Capt Baba Mohammed Mairiga, Zamfara ; Christopher J. N. Okeke, Anambra ;Mr Jonah M. Odo, Ebonyi ;Ahmed Nuhu Bamali Kaduna among others.

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FOR THE RECORDS: OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, SENATOR (DR) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, AT THE OCCASION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING ON THE NEED TO PROSECUTE BUILDING LAWS VIOLATORS, ON 8TH FEBRUARY, 2017

 

 By Sunny Anderson Osiebe...

 

1. It is my pleasure to welcome stakeholders and members of the public to this very important Public Hearing being conducted by the Senate Committee on Housing on the Need to Prosecute Building Laws Violators.

 

2. Our people have in recent times endured unacceptable incidences of building collapse which have sadly claimed the lives of a number of our citizens. Many cases of building collapses have been recorded with about many lives lost, yet very few people are held responsible.

 

3. Cases of building collapses are not peculiar to our nation. Across the world building development practitioners are working hard to reduce these incidences to the barest minimum. The rate of occurrence and the intensity of damage are low in the advanced nations where strict controls, enforcement of the codes and high ethics of professionalism are made imperative. In our country, the principal causes of these collapses are non-compliance to the building laws, use of unskilled artisans, poor supervision, inferior materials, ignorance, lack of maintenance, misuse of structures, conflicts among professionals and corruption. 

 

4. The lack of enforcement of our building laws and flagrant violations is directly connected to the exacerbation of this problem. It could also be said that the non-adherence to this laws may also be linked to the other problems we see now with the constant infernos being recorded at market places across the country and other public places and other housing disasters. Other related challenges includethe absence of planning of towns and cities, dearth of referenced design standards for professionals, use of non-professionals and quacks, use of untested products and materials and lack of maintenance culture.

5. At a time when our housing need is on the increase, we must maintain a modernised, efficient and user-friendly statutory building control regime to meet the housing development needs of Nigerians. As such, the need to review enforcement policy against building problems that are of public concern in order to enhance building safety cannot be over-emphasised.

 

6. Therefore, we must embark on proactive steps by mustering enough political will to allow the Town Planning authorities perform their functions unfettered. As politicians, stakeholders, the press, members of the civil society organisations and Nigerians, we all have various roles to play in tackling building collapse phenomenon in Nigeria. Building construction is a delicate, sophisticated and complex process; where failures to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures can only amount to an avoidable huge damage and loss of lives. This, we can no longer afford, all concerned individuals in building construction should ensure that they acquire adequate training and knowledge to understand the techniques of construction so as to reduce and subsequently eliminate these housing disasters. The press should also lay more emphasis by enlightening the public at large on the consequences of violating the building laws.

7. On our part as the legislative arm of government we shall do our best to ensure the speedy passage of the National Building Code and make certain that the necessary legal frameworks are passed and more aggressive oversight scheme employed to forestall the continued reoccurrence of this unsavoury trend.

 

8. Working together we shall all rid our country of this menace, if not in its entirety but bring to the barest minimum the occurrence of these disasters and also very importantly purge the construction industry of all forms of unsafe and negligent acts in the construction processes.

 

9. Distinguished Senators and invited guests, this forum should provide a platform for us to undertake a detailed and thorough investigation by engaging all the relevant stakeholders with a view of finding possible and lasting solution to these preventable housing disasters.

 

10. I wish you very successful deliberations as I formally declare this Public Hearing open.

 

11. May God bless you all and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

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FOR THE RECORDS: SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, AT A ONE-DAY PUBLIC HEARING ORGANIZED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING, INSURANCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY, 2017.

 By Sunny Anderson Osiebe...

 

Protocol;

 

1. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this very important one-day public hearing organized by the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions.  I thank the committee for the very impressive job they have been doing with bills referred to them so far in the course of our legislative duties. I appreciate all our special Invitees for finding time out of your very tight schedules to honour this invitation.  I consider your presence a demonstration of your commitment to the development of our country through effective lawmaking. Please accept our gratitude as always.

2. This hearing is specially organized to critically examine and collate inputs on three priority Bills of the 8thSenate.

These Bills are:-

i. The Legal Framework for Credit Bureau Services Bill 2017 (SB 205);

ii. The National Payment System Bill, 2017 (SB 005) and

iii. The Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, CAP F34 LFN, 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB181).

3. Distinguished colleague, Invited Guests, the 8th Senate has made the issue of the review of laws affecting the business environment the main plank of its legislative focus. This is in order to give the private sector a lift as the main driver of economic development. 

 

4. One of the fallouts of the current economic challenges we face is the over reliance of the economy on the public-sector funds and performance. With the ongoing economic realities, it is obvious that unless we restructure our economic scheme to a more business friendly structure that enables our people to harness their potential for enterprise we are not going to build a sustainable 21st century Nigerian economy. 

5. The purpose of these priority bills we are considering here today is to open the economic space to attract greater private sector investment especially those that enable small business investments to thrive and therefore create more jobs for our people within a friendly business climate. This overarching objective cannot be achieved by the Senate alone without consulting with you, our stakeholders. This we do through public hearings in order to ensure that the final product of our legislative decisions are well thought out, comprehensively interrogated and exhaustively reviewed.  

 

6. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the LegalFramework for Credit Bureau Services Bill, 2017 one of the priority bills we have listed here, seeks to promote the use of credit information, access to finance, knowledge of credit bureaus to improve the lending environment in Nigeria. 

 

7. This bill adds a very critical scheme that will aid Credit Risk Management and reduce significantly the incidence of Non-performing Loan Portfolio in the system.

This bill goes beyond being an assessment tool for financial inclusion, it is a social re-engineering tool that will soon be useful to both the labour market and the education sector in the evaluation of behaviour and performance in such a manner that reduces risks across all baselines. 

 

8. The bill especially seeks to remove the clog on the wheel of access to credit. The implication is the expansion of the band of those technically able to access credit through a more scientific, objective, less subjective and neutral review as credit houses will now have the tools to provide credits to Nigerians for economic activities that have direct positive impact on the national economy more readily and in a cost effective way having reduced to the barest minimum the risk of default through delinquent behaviours.

 

9. The global trend has been for government to create enabling environment and establish well defined institutions that regulate credit flow.  The incidence of non-performing loans which today has grown to almost 2.5trillion in volume, would by this bill be reduced as amajor obstacle to access to credit and capital formation in the country. 

10. The National Payment System Bill, 2016, is another important bill that the Senate has identified through the report of the technical committee on the review of business laws. This bill is slated as a critical framework necessary to help modernize the Nigerian financial services market. 

 

11. The bill aims at providing the regulatory oversight of the National Payments System. It will engender a veritable scheme for controlling and monitoringpayment institutions, authorities to ensure that at all times they serve the best interest of the consumers andensure the licensing process is transparent and efficient. 

 

12. The Payment system law is the legislative infrastructure that would enable for efficient transfer of monetary values between parties discharging mutual obligations. Its technical integrity determines the efficiency with which monetary transaction instruments are used in the economy and the associated risks. Due to the development in the payment systems in the economy it has become imperative to enhance the safety and efficiency of these systems in order to reduce systemic risks, as well as minimize credit risk. 

13. The overall vision is to create a framework that would enable the development of a robust and efficient payment system network between financial systems and system participants, which could reduce and eventually eliminate the use of manual and paper-based procedures. It is expected also to help strengthen the enforcement of strict security measures both for physical and electronic access to the system and ensure measures for business continuity and resilience across the national payment systems.

 

14. Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, The Bill on Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act CAP F34, LFN, 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is the third bill this public hearing will be considering. This bill seeks to establish an autonomous Foreign Exchange Market and provide for the monitoring and supervision of transactions conducted in the market.  

 

15. The strength and status of a country’s economy depends largely on how robust its financial markets are and how much its foreign exchange market is in tune with international best practices. There is no gainsaying therefore that foreign exchange control is essential economic management tool especially targeted at exchange market management.  The reform intended here is targeted at preventing an adverse effect on our balance of payments.  

 

16. The aim of the Bill is to establish a foreign exchange market that adequately serves the Nigerian economy and avoids ultra-market force manipulation, hence contributing immensely to the development and growth of our national economy.

 

17. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the overarching task before us is one of repositioning the banking and financial sector of our economy to operate within a free market regime that protects the Nigerian consumer and is immune to manipulation and less susceptible to the black market. One in which the banks are able to provide financial intermediation role in a manner that is pro-business. It is hoped that this public hearing would lead to a better financial services sector that would enable our businesses to thrive.

18. The Senate will be awaiting your report within time on these bills with a view to receiving from you the indispensable advice on how to proceed with these bills to achieve our stated objective of improving the business environment and attracting investment into the Nigerian economy.

 

19. Once again, I wish to thank everyone here forhonouring this national call. I wish you very successful deliberation.

 

20. It is my pleasure therefore to declare the Public Hearing open.   

 

21. Thank you all and God bless you the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

 

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