HIGHLIGHTS:

 No Sanctuaries For Killers In Nigeria-Dogara

 Speaker Urges President Buhari To Assent To PIGB

 Reps To Meet Security Chiefs, Hold Public Hearing On Spate of

Deadly Attacks In The Country

 Dogara seeks improved funding, welfare of armed forces

No Sanctuaries For Killers In
Nigeria-Dogara
..queries return of fuel subsidy, scarcity, despite
increase in pump price
...charges colleagues not to shun legislative duties
as political activities begin
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon
Yakubu Dogara, has said there are no sanctuaries
anywhere in the country for killers and other
hardened criminals who feed on the blood of
people, adding that the solution to the mindless
killings and bloodletting lies in the ability to shun
buck passing, while the government lives up to its
responsibility of providing security for the lives of
every Nigerian, irrespective of where they live.
Reacting to the killings in Rivers State, Benue,
Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, Edo and oth-
er States, he said during his opening remarks at
the resumption of the House of Representatives
from its Christmas break that that there are no
sanctuaries anywhere in the country for killers
and other hardened criminals who feed on the
blood of other people.
Going further, he stressed that as leaders, they
cannot afford to fold their hands and pretend
that all is well with the country since it is their re-
sponsibility to all Nigerians, regardless of creed or
ethnicity, in families of those who line with the
constitutionally stated primary purpose of the
government they serve in, to secure the welfare,
including the lives and property, of the people.
He said this will be done by ensuring that every
law abiding Nigerian is protected wherever he
choses to live in the country and that everyone
who is up in arms against citizens is quickly
brought to justice wherever they are in the coun-
try as there are no sanctuaries anywhere in the
country for killers and other hardened criminals
who feed on the blood of the people.
On behalf of the House of Representatives, he
conveyed the heartfelt condolences to the gov-
ernments, people, and especially have lost loved
ones in the primitive, mindless and despicable
rounds of bloodletting across the country.
On the issue of the alleged reintroduction of fuel
subsidy and scarcity of the product, the Speaker
charged the relevant committees of the House to
unravel the causes and claims, saying except the
Executive adduces compelling reasons why the
reverse is the case, it will amount to a betrayal to
still pay subsidies after they had been assured
that it had been ended.
He also charged his colleagues to finish all work
on the 2018 budget proposal expeditiously and
ensure that their legislative duties so not suffer
as political activities pick up.
Speaker Dogara Urges Presi-
dent Buhari To Assent To PIGB,
Describes It As Landmark
Achievement
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ya-
kubu Dogara, has urged President Muhammadu
Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, sign the Petroleum
Industry Governance Bills (PIGB) passed by the Na-
tional Assembly into law.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed
the Bill which had been passed by the Senate last
Year. Differences in the two bills will be harmo-
nised by a special committee.
Hon. Dogara said the new legislation will be trans-
mitted to the President as soon as it is harmonised
and explained that the parliament decided to move
on and pass its own version of the Bill following fail-
ure of the Executive to present a draft bill to the Na-
tional Assembly.
He also described the passage of the PIGB as a his-
toric and landmark achievement by the 8th National
Assembly. The Bill was first introduced to the parlia-
ment by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in
2008.
Speaker Dogara argued that with the passage of the
long-awaited bill, the Petroleum Industry will witness
drastic improvement as it will attract investors and
open up the sector as the Nigerian National Petrole-
um Corporation (NNPC) would be unbundled with
the creation of other bodies, adding that National
Assembly will continue working on other aspects of
the petroleum industry by the National Assembly in
accordance with the 8th Assembly's Legislative
Agenda.
The House of Representatives had passed the bill at
the twilight of its tenure in 2011 but it was subse-
quently withdrawn by former President Goodluck
Jonathan in 2010 and a revised version was re-
transmitted to the National Assembly in mid 2012.
NIA: Reps To Investigate Al-
leged Diversion of $44illion
And Controversy Surrounding
Appointment Of DG
The House of Representatives has mandated its Com-
mittee on National Security and Intelligence to inves-
tigate the alleged carting noaway of $44 million from
the vault of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The Committee was also mandated to investigate
allegations that the newly appointed director general
of the agency, Mr Rufai Abubakar, over questions of
his identity, nationality, citizenship and competence.
This resolution was reached after the House adopted
the prayers of a motion moved by Hon Douye Diri.
The lawmakers said the issues of the controversy over
the appointment and the cash scandals paint a poor
picture of the nation’s national security and diminish-
es the reputation of the agency in the eyes of the
Nigerian public and the international community.
Reps To Meet Security Chiefs,
Hold Public Hearing On Spate
of Deadly Attacks In The Coun-
try By Suspected Herdsmen.
In its bid to find lasting solutions to killings by sus-
pected herdsmen, the House of Representatives has
summoned Nigerian security chiefs for an interaction
that will lead to lasting solutions to the menace.
It also set up an ad-hoc committee which was man-
dated to conduct a two day public hearing where
stakeholders will be invited to come and make contri-
bution on the way forward.
While condemning the attacks and killings in all its
ramifications, the House observes a minute of silence
in honour of the departed souls.
The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored
by Hon Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole.
NNPC Under Investigation By
House Over Non-Remittance of
$3.78 Billion Gas Revenue to the
Federation Account.
The House of Representatives has mandated its
Committee on Gas Resources to investigate the al-
leged failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) to remit $1.07 billion to the
Federation Account from the sale of natural gas by
the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for
2015.
Lawmakers Urge President
Sequel to a motion raised on the subject by Hon Diri
Duoye on the subject, the House is probing any Buhari To Declare Incessant
other non-payment of revenues due to the Federa-
Arrests, Brutality and Malicious
tion Account from Gas components under any other
Ministry, Department, Agency or Company and pro- Prosecution of Nigerian Stu-
pose sustainable reforms to prevent future breaches
and leakages.
dents by Indian Police Authori-
ties National Interest.
The House noted the report in the Vanguard News-
paper of 29 December, 2017 where the Nigeria Ex- The House of Representatives has urged the Presi-
tractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) al- dent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muham-
leged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora- madu Buhari, to declare as matter of national in-
tion (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, the Ni- terest requiring urgent attention, constant arrests,
gerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) as brutality and malicious prosecution of Nigerian
well as other Oil companies failed to remit $3.78 bil- students by Indian Police authorities.
lion and ₦80.64 billion to the Federation Account in
violation of Section 80, subsections (1) - (4) of the This is just as they also urged the Nigerian High
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Commission in India to explore diplomatic chan-
1999. nels in ensuring that those arrested are released in
appropriate cases or on bail, pending further in-
It further noted that the report also disclosed that vestigation where same is still on-going.
the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
failed to remit $1.07 billion proceeds which were These are some of the resolutions of a motion
dividends from the sale of natural gas, being part of moved by Hon. Fredrick Yietiemone Agbedi.
Nigeria's 49% equity shareholding in the Nigeria Liq-
Other resolutions include to send a delegation to
uefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for 2015.
India to ascertain the condition, state of health
and mental wellbeing of the arrested students and
The lawmakers argued that if the trade in such a
to mandate the Committee on Foreign Affairs to
highly valuable resource as natural gas, with its
investigate the immediate and remote causes of
many characteristics, is not strictly monitored, it will
the police brutality, arrests and malicious prosecu-
continue to be a source of huge revenue losses to
tion of Nigerian students with a view to finding a
the State, thus denying it of the much needed fund-
lasting solution to it.
ing for economic development.
2018 Budget Defence by the Committee on Environment
with Agencies of Ministry of Environment

House Seeks Ways To Stop

Fraudulent Activities in the
Housing Sector:
The House of Representatives has resolved to
mandate the Committee on Housing to con-
duct an investigative hearing on the alleged
fraudulent practices and activities in the hous-
ing sector which have hampered the housing
development policy of the Federal Govern-
ment.

The House also called on the Federal Ministry

of Power, Works and Housing to put in place
appropriate mechanism to ensure the registra-
tion of all estate developing firms in the hous-
ing sector and strict regulation of activities
therein.

In a motion moved by Hon. Joseph Edionwele,

the House noted that shelter is unarguably one
of the most basic necessities of man as it is top
priority in the hierarchy of man’s needs and
this primacy is reaffirmed by section 16 (2) (d)
of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999, which mandates the State to
provide
Dogara tasks Media Owners
On Salary Payment
…Hangover of military rule responsible for low
appreciation of National Assembly’s role in de-
mocracy
…National Assembly committed to protecting,
enhancing Press Freedom in Nigeria
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has said that the National
Assembly is committed to protecting and en-
hancing press freedom within the country.
This, he stated in Kaduna Saturday, at a retreat
organized for members of the House of Repre-
sentatives press corps.
Dogara, while giving his address, also highlight-
ed certain factors responsible for the seemingly
insufficient understanding of the roles and du-
ties of the legislature, such as the long period of
military rule.
“Almost two decades after Nigeria returned to
civil rule, it still appears that we are still having
hangover of military rule as some are yet to
come to terms with the reality of the pivotal
place and role of the legislature in a democracy.
We urge the media to help in sensitizing Nigeri-
ans on the powers, functions and responsibilities
of the legislature in democracy,” the Speaker
argued.
He urged the media to partner with the National
Assembly in order to correct the situation and
called on media practitioners to imbibe values
such as objectivity and constructive criticism.
“The legislature is the institution that represents
and protects democracy without which we will
have dictatorship. Thus, the mass media should
partner with us to deepen democracy, check abuses
in government and enthrone rule of law and trans-
parency in our polity. In doing this, we don’t expect
you to sing our praises but give us fair, balanced
reportage and constructive criticism of our activi-
ties.”
“Objectivity should be the soul of the business of
the press, especially when reporting the Legislature.
It is important that the happenings and events in
the Legislature are properly reported to avoid public
backlash that could cause discontent and misunder-
standing of the intents of the Legislature at any giv-
en situation.”
While making reference to the impact made by the
CNN expose on the Libyan slave trade to highlight
the importance of investigative journalism, Hon
Dogara assured that the House is committed to
strengthening liberties such as freedom of speech
and expression.
“We are ever committed to providing legislative
support and framework that will enhance freedom
of speech and expression as provided for in the
1999 Constitution. This informed the reason for the
passage of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011.”
The Speaker further restated the commitment of the
House to providing a conducive environment for
members of the press corps and expressed appreci-
ation for their efforts towards deepening democracy
and good governance.
He also called on proprietors of media organisations
to pay salaries of their staff promptly saying, “it is
the only ethical and proper thing to do. Yes, you are
watchdogs of the society. That also places a huge
burden on you to act in an exemplary manner”.
The retreat was organised by the House Committee
on Media and Publicity, the Policy and Advocacy
Centre (PLAC) and the UK Department for Interna-
tional Development (DFID).
Dogara seeks improved fund-
ing, welfare of armed forces
.. says their sacrifices will never be in vain

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ya-

kubu Dogara, has saluted the courage and sacrifice
of men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, saying their
effort at maintaining the territorial integrity of Nige-
ria and security of lives and property will never go
unrecognised.

In a message to commemorate the 2018 Armed

Forces Remembrance Day, the Speaker noted that it
is certainly the manifestation of the ultimate act of
courage and sacrifice to willingly take up a role to
put one’s life at risk in order to secure the sover-
eignty of the whole nation.

He also remembered the families of the fallen he-

roes who have been deprived of the presence and
care of their loved ones, saying that though no
compensation could ever replace them, it is the du-
ty of the government to ensure that their welfare is
not compromised by ensuring that their full entitle-
ments are always paid without delay.

"As we mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance

Day, let us remember to always show genuine ap-
preciation to gallant men and women who de-
prived themselves of so much so that we may have
this nation, Nigeria. Even in death, their sacrifice will
never be in vain.

"We haven't forgotten their efforts and acts of cour-

age in the war against Boko Haram in the North
East. Our experience, at the peak of this insurgency
only emphasises how our country would have been
if we didn't have dedicated men and women con-
stantly on guard to protect the sovereignty of Nige-
ria.

"The House of Representatives will continue to part-

ner with the executive to ensure that the Armed
Forces are properly funded to be able to discharge
their duties effectively.
2018 Budget Defence By The Committee On Inter-
2018 Budget Defence by Committee on Police Affairs
Govermental Affair with IGP
COURT STRIKES OUT SUIT BY
HON. JIBRIN TO COMPEL HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES TO LIFT
SUSPENSION
The quest by embattled lawmaker, Hon Ab-
dulmumin Jibrin, to return to the House of Repre-
sentatives after been suspended by his colleagues
for going against the rules of the parliament has
suffered a great set back as a Federal High Court
sitting in Abuja has adjourned a suit instituted by
him to push for his return indefinitely.
The suit filed by Hon. Jibrin to challenge his sus-
pension from the House of Representatives was
rejected by the Federal High Court due to the ex-
istence of an appeal on the same matter which is
pending at the Supreme Court.
Counsel to Hon Jibrin had argued that the High
Court should disregard the appeal pending at the
Supreme Court over the issue of joinder of some
members of the House to the action.
It would be recalled that Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin
had, in 2017, commenced Suit No: FHC/ABJ/
CS/812/2016 to challenge his suspension from the
House.
Similarly, some individuals who identified them-
selves as his constituents, also commenced sepa-
rate a action with Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/796/ 2016
seeking nullification of his suspension.
When both matters came up on the 10th of January
this year, the Federal High Court maintained that in
the case of the suit filed by Hon. Jibrin, it would re-
spect the Supreme Court and await its decision on
the joinder to the suit of Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai
and Hon. Orker – Jev Emmanuel Yisa, who said their
characters were impugned by accusations made by
Hon. Jibrin.
On the related suit filed by three members of Kiru/
Bebeji Federal Constituency, the court struck out
the suit for lacking in substance and want of dili-
gent prosecution.