By Abubakar Jimoh Aresumes legislative -...

VOL. 11 No. 1, JAN. 2017A PUBLICATION OF CISLAC

Continued on page 4

By Abubakar Jimoh

www.facebook.com/cislacnigeria@cislacnigeria website: www.cislacnigeria.net

2017: National Assembly and the Pending Priority Issues

presented new opportunities for the

Bill to be passed. It is different from

previous versions of the PIB in many

ways.

If passed into law, the new Bill

will provide appropriate legal and

regulatory framework particularly

important for optimal performance

of the oil and gas sector. It will pave

way for efficient and effective

governing institutions with clear

and separate roles for the petroleum

industry; establish a framework for

the creation of commercially

or iented and pro f i t dr iven

petroleum entities that ensures

v a l u e a d d i t i o n a n d

internat ional izat ion o f the

petroleum industry; promote

transparency and accountability in

the administration of the petroleum

resources of Nigeria; and foster a

conducive business environment for

petroleum industry operations.

The Bill will ensure competitive,

open, non-discretionary licensing

and tender processes; promote

independent regulator insulated

from pol i t ical interference;

s the National Assembly

r e s u m e s l e g i s l a t i v e Aactivities for the New Year,

it becomes paramount to draw

attention of the legislators to

pending and important issues that

will shape the nation's socio-

economic development such as

P e t r o l e u m I n d u s t r y a n d

Governance Bill, openness and

t r a n s p a r e n c y i n t h e 2 0 1 7

Appropriation Bill, Constitutional

and Electoral Reforms, constituency

a c countab i l i t y , sus ta inab le

security, Internally Displaced

P e r s o n s ( I D P s ) , a n d O p e n

Government Partnership.

Petroleum Industry

Governance and Institutional

Framework Bill 2015

The hostile nature of the existing

law governing the oil and gas sector

in the country led to reforms that

culminated in preparation of

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in

2008. The non-passage of the Bill

about a decade after was due to

many identified factors.

Meanwhile, the presentation of

Petroleum Industry Governance

Bill (PIGB) 2016 on the floor of the

Senate on 13th April, 2016

ivil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) is a non-governmental, non-profit, advocacy, Cinformation sharing, research, and capacity building organisation. Its mission is to strengthen the link between civil society and the legislature through advocacy and capacity building for civil society groups and policy makers on legislative processes and governance issues.

CISLAC was integrated as a corporate body (CAC/IT/NO22738) with the Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the 28th December 2006. Prior to this incorporation, however, CISLAC had actively been engaged in legislative advocacy work since 2005. The organisation is also compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2007. The Organisation reports to SCUML, any transaction that is above One thousand dollars, detailing the payee, purpose and the other KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. This is done on a weekly or monthly basis depending on the volume of transactions and to ensure appropriate compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Also, CISLAC is registered organisation under the National Planning Commission.

As indicated above, the organisation emerged from the need to address the gaps in legislative advocacy work of civil society and government access to civil society groups. CISLAC's engagement with Federal Ministries, National and State Assemblies, Local Government Administrations, private sector interests, and non-government organisations, has opened a window through which the public and policy officials can interact and collaborate.

CISLAC through its engagement of the governance processes in Nigeria has facilitated the enactment of several primary legislations such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Public Procurement Act, and Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act which promotes transparency and accountability in governance as well as the domestication of international conventions at the Federal and state levels in Nigeria. CISLAC also supported the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. Other pieces of legislations such the National Tobacco Control Bill, National Health Bill, Disability Bill, Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, Violence and Persons Prohibition Bill, Whistleblower Protection Bill, Prison Reform Bill, etc. are also supported by CISLAC.

As a renowned CSO in Legislative advocacy in the region, CISLAC has on several occasions shared its experience on best practises for legislative advocacy on invitation from its international partners such as the World Bank Parliamentary Forum and the United Nations Millennium Campaign in African countries such as Kenya and Zimbabwe. Similarly, Ghana, Kenya, and Democratic Republic of Congo have also requested support from CISLAC for replication of their work in Legislative advocacy. In many West African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cameroon, Niger, Togo and Benin Republic, CISLAC has carried out experience sharing and advocacy exercises on the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative processes through supporting the passage of extractive industry initiative laws in these countries. CISLAC has also undertaken capacity building for legislators, CSOs and Media on policy engagements in the above countries.

CISLAC's sub-granting experience includes grants to national organisations. With skilled, committed, experienced and proactive leadership and employees, particularly in the areas of coalition building, tenacious advocacy, community mobilization and the clout needed to engage lawmakers at all levels, the organization proven capacity to attract international solidarity, engage policy makers and mobilize local civil society groups and communities into action.

GOAL

“To make legislature accessible and responsive to all”.

VISION

“A Nigeria in which citizens are participating in governance; the government is safeguarding the rights and welfare of the people; and non-state actors are providing space for citizens to demand accountability”.

MISSION

“To increase the legislature and CSOs' impact in the legislative process”.

ADVOCACY VISITS

CISLAC has successfully engaged key members of the National Assembly in order to wield their influence in ensuring that civil society positions are accommodated. In 2006, for instance, CISLAC targeted key players and created public awareness on draft legislation and questionable provisions incorporated by the National Assembly. Such efforts improved the levels of discipline, transparency, and accountability in the management and openness of fiscal responsibility, public procurement, and the nation's extractive Industry sector in Nigeria.

Through such efforts, CISLAC has empowered communities mostly affected by the extractive industry sector, improved the levels of information dissemination, and ensure due process and transparency in the payments made by extractive industry companies to the Federal Government and its agencies. It has also educated State and Federal legislators, their advisory staff, CSOs, the media, and key stakeholders on their oversight roles in legislation and has reviewed their commitment in implementation.

PUBLICATION OF MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS

CISLAC has strengthened civil society intervention by the publication of a monthly newsletter Legislative Digest and Tobacco Control Update which have been in circulation for both public and legislative consumption since October 2006 and June 2013 respectively. It has been a central medium of accountability, as it monitors the performance of Legislators, and a channel for advocacy on critical issues that need legislation. Also, CISLAC has a wide range of publications such as Textbooks and Policy Briefs.

CISLAC'S MAJOR DONORS

1. Oxfam Novib

2. Oxfam International

3. Oxfam GB

4. Ford Foundation

5. Mac Arthur Foundation

6. PACT Nigeria/USAID

7. United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC)

8. Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)

9. Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF)

10. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

11. Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK)

12. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

13. The Federal Public Administration Reform (FEPAR)/DFID

14. T.Y. Danjuma Foundation

15. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

16. Voice for Change (V4C)

17. National Endowment for Democracy

18. Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP)

19. USAID/Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE)

20. International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

21. African Capacity Building Foundation

22. Australian Government

23. North East Regional Initiative (NERI)

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE

This is the policy-making organ of the organisation. It approves the budget of the organisation, provides contacts for operational funds and supports the operation of the secretariat.

1. Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)

2. Mr. Adesina Oke

3. Mr. Y.Z Y'au

4. Ms. Nkoyo Toyo

5. Ms. Hadiza Kangiwa

6. Mr. Adagbo Onoja

ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Advisory Council is an advisory organ consisting of people with vast experience and knowledge of socio-economic and political dynamics in the country and across the world. 1. Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha2. Prof. Okey Ibeanu3. Prof. Sam Egwu4. Dr. Abubakar Momoh5. Chom Bagu6. Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd)7. Dr. Afia Zakiya (Ms)8. Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan9. Halima Ben Umar (Ms.)10. Bukhari Bello

THE SECRETARIAT

The Secretariat is vested with the day-to-day running of the organization. It implements the decisions of the Board of Trustees. It is headed by an Executive Director who oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation while a Senior Program Officer oversees programmes implementation along with other programme staff.

Head Office, Abuja:

Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) - Executive DirectorMr. Kolawole Banwo - Senior Program Officer (Extractive,

Environment and Security)Mr. Okeke Anya - Senior Program Officer (ECOWAS & AU)Ms. Chioma Blessing Kanu - Snr. Program Officer (MDGs, Gender, Reproductive

Health and Anti-corruption)Mr. Salaudeen Hashimu Nurani - Program Officer (Human Rights/Migration,

Agriculture/ Livelihood)Mr. Abubakar Jimoh - Head, Communication and InformationMr. Chinedu Bassey - Program Officer (Tax Justice)Mrs. Hauwa'u Bin Abdallah - Admin OfficerMr. Omomhenle Ehis - Finance OfficerMr. Gonji Dadoh Timbut - Assistant Finance OfficerMrs. Abimbola S. Okoilu- Miró - Secretary/Assistant Program OfficerMr. Augustine Erameh - Assistant Program OfficerMs. Lovelyn Agbor - Monitoring and Evaluation OfficerMs. Onyekachi Eke - Media OfficerMr. Muhammed Murtala Muhammed - Asst. Program OfficerMr. Prince Onwuike - M&E OfficerMs. Abiodun Oladipupo - Office AssistantMs. Fatima Shaibu - Office AssistantMs. Isese Sor - Intern Mr. Solomon Adoga Wonah - InternMs. Isibakhome Azugbene - InternMs. Ndidi Anih - Intern

Regional Office: Kano

Mr. Nura Maaji - Program Officer

About us

Legislative Digest Vol. 11 No. 1, January, 20172

EDITORIAL

s a member of Tax Justice and

Governance Platform, Nigeria, CISLAC

expresses very deep concern over Anews reports stating that the Federal

Government is considering granting further tax

holiday to investors in the power sector to

enable it garner investment in the sector.

We recall that, against all popular calls for

caution, the Federal Government has been

frantic in her efforts to attract private investors

since the Power Sector Reform Act was

enacted in 2005, which enabled transfer of

public control of the Nigerian Electricity Power

Authority (NEPA) to the Power holding

company of Nigeria (PHCN).

While the major intent of the Federal

Government privatising the power sector was to

provide a lasting solution to the problem that

bedevilled the sector, we find it worrisome that

contrary to the expectations of the Nigerian

citizenry, the power sector has degenerated to

an even more deplorable state than it was,

before the ill-advised privatisation exercise.

We note with dismay the current scenario where

Nigerians are not only been short-charged by

not getting value for the services they pay, the

Nigerian public is subjected to the payment of

arbitrarily and serially increased tariffs in

exchange for lengthy periods of darkness,

alongside other poor services and non-

provision of prepaid meters, all of which

combine to further impoverished helpless

citizens.

We therefore consider the proposed tax holiday

as a step not aimed at making electricity

available, accessible and affordable for

Nigerians but to serve the purpose of the, elites

who are benefiting from the charade, called

privatisation of the power sector. These classes

of ill-prepared, non-innovative and technically

deficient profiteers so called investors must not

continue to make profit at the expense of

taxpayers.

The country has lost the revenue that would

have accrued from taxes in that sector because

of the tax holiday (pioneer status) granted to

these investors from inception till date.

We find it alarming that anyone could be

considering further tax holidays to these

investors, who by right ought to have proven

their technical and financial capacity as

perquisites for participating in the sector in the

first instance.

We call on the Federal Government to declare a

state of emergency in the power sector,

prioritize investment; and halt further incentive,

tax holidays or waivers to the operators of the

power sector.

Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)

Editor-in-Chief

Abubakar JimohEditor

Chioma Kanu

Abimbola S. Okoilu-Miró

REGIONAL OFFICE: KANO

3rd Floor, NISTF Building

No. 1A, Social Insurance Road Behind Trade Fair Complex

Zaria Road, Kano

P.O. Box 10210

Kano State

REGIONAL OFFICE: ADAMAWA

Government Lodge Area

Off Main Drive

Dougerei Layout

Jimeta, Yola

Adamawa State

REGIONAL OFFICE: YOBE

Maiduguri Road,

Adjacent Federal Polytechnic

Near EcoBank,

Damaturu,

Yobe state

CONTACT ADDRESS:

Flat 3, No. 16 P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent

Off Solomon Lar Way

Behind Chida Hotel

Near Daily Trust Newspapers Office

Utako District, Abuja - Nigeria

Tel: 234-08033844646

Website: www.cislacnigeria.netEmail: cislac@

cislacnigeria.net

Needless Tax Holidays For Investors In The Power Sector

A Publication of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

Legislative Digest Vol. 11 No. 1, January, 2017 3

COVER STORY

Continued from page 1


L e g i s l a t i v e o p e n n e s s

strengthens relationship between

the people and the legislature and

provides a means for the people to

participate in the legislative

activities. Legislative authority is

exercised and upheld by legitimacy.

The legitimacy is guaranteed by

strong trust reposed on the

legislature by the people. Strong

trust in this case, cannot be achieved

without adequate democratic

process to allow for effective

2017: National Assembly and the Pending Priority Issues

participation by citizens at all

levels.

L e g i s l a t i v e o p e n n e s s i s

increasingly recognized for its

c r u c i a l r o l e i n m a k i n g

appropriation information more

accessible to citizens, strengthening

the capacity of c it izens to

part ic ipate in the process ,

i m p r o v i n g l e g i s l a t i v e

accountability, and increasing

collaborative dialogue among the

legislators on issues affecting

Appropriation Bill.

It is evident across the globe that

citizens' participation in budgetary

process can help governments to be

more accountable and responsive,

improve the people's perception of

budgetary performance and

democratic dividend.

While endemic socio-economic

problems as well as poor budgetary

a n d e c o n o m i c p o l i c i e s

implementation result in wasteful

spending, misplaced priority and

mismanagement of capital projects

in various parts of the country,

citizens' participation in the

appropriation process allows for Source: ©Petroleum Industry Review

eliminate discretionary powers to

the President and Minister of

Petroleum; establish Petroleum

Host Community Fund to be used

for the development of economic and

social infrastructure of the

communities within the oi l

producing areas; address the

lingering challenge of gas flaring,

e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o t e c t i o n ,

remediation and restoration.

In December 2016, the Bill was

subjected to a Public Hearing in

which the Civil Society Legislative

Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and her

partners actively participated. To

a c h i e v e t r a n s p a r e n c y ,

accountability and significant

growth in the oil and gas sector, the

legislators must fast-track passage

of the Bill.

2017 Appropriation Bill

Encouraging thorough, open,

and constructive process in the

passage of the 2017 Appropriation

Bill is essential to win citizens'

confidence in the legislators.

Legislative openness in the

Appropriation process entails

t ransparent , inc lus ive and

participatory process to reflect the

needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

COVER STORY


effective monitoring of budget

implementat ion, encourages

accountability of public funds, and

ameliorates mismanagement.

Observing the impacts of

citizens' participation in budgetary

process, Participatory Budgeting

Project (PBP) in United States, has

noted that the process allows the

citizens to directly decide how to

spend part of a public budget, and

enables taxpayers to work with

government to make the budget

decisions that affect their lives. The

process which was first introduced

in Brazil in 1989 has been adopted

by over 1,500 cities across world.

This has he lped Braz i l in

decentralization and participatory

budgeting, leading to appreciable

shift in more resources to the

grassroots, and increased local

revenue.

In a study titled 'Our money, Our

responsibility: A Citizens' Guide to

M o n i t o r i n g G o v e r n m e n t

Expenditures', Vivek Ramkumar

observes that if a government

makes an honest e f fort to

implement the budget as it is

appropriated, important questions

often remain about the specifics of

spending. In this case, by engaging

with the budget throughout its

appropriation and implementation,

civil society can identify lapses and

make appropr iate advocacy

interventions.

In a trend towards participatory

budget process, the legislators must

activate the existing commitments

for allowing citizens input into the

appropriation process so that it can

reflects their aspirations. They must

ensure the budget process and

passage is timely, devoid of scandals

and undue distractions. The

legislators should ensure that

through the appropriation process

Source: ©Šolska skupnost

Source: ©Clipart Panda

a n d r e l a t e d l e g i s l a t i o n ,

commitment to addressing the

recession is clearly demonstrated.

More importantly, to ensure

openness, citizens' participation

must be encouraged through

physical access to the legislature.

All citizens irrespective of their

social, economic, political and

ethno-religion backgrounds should

be allowed access to the legislature.

Constitutional and Electoral

Reforms

Electoral process in Nigeria is

knowingly characterized by

violence of various kinds, which

manifest in killings, maiming of

lives, and destruction property

worth millions of naira. It is on this

note that both local and inter-

national empirical investigations

contend that electoral violence

presents greatest obstacle to

democratic consolidation in

Nigeria. The recurrence nature of

electoral violence since 1999 has

assumed greater magnitude leading

to instability in democratic

consolidation as well as the loss and

displacement of many innocent

lives

Several underlining factors such

as money politics, ethno-religion

COVER STORY


Ibom (5), Bayelsa (4), Lagos and

Kaduna (3 each), Jigawa, Enugu,

Ekiti and Osun (2 each), Katsina,

Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Imo, Kano and

Ogun (1 each).

While studies have traced

electoral violence to the rascal

politics engaged by the political

elites, the violence emanates from

both intra-party and inter-party

settings. Apart from the fact that

electoral violence affects the

credibility of the electoral system,

other essential elements like the

democratic system and the rule of

law, the nature, extent and

magnitude of violence and rigging

associated with elections in Nigeria

had assumed alarming proportions

calling for immediate holistic legal

intervention and political will to

sentiments, unguided utterances

and hate speeches, rigged elections,

irregularities, malpractice, fraud

monitoring in electoral processes,

extrajudicial killings, among others

h a v e b e e n i d e n t i f i e d t o

metamorphose into electoral

violence.

The reported death before,

during and after the elections is

worrisome. For instance, the

N a t i o n a l H u m a n R i g h t s

Commission (NHRC) estimated no

fewer than 58 people killed in

election-related violence in 22 states

from Dec. 3, 2014 to February 13,

2015. Also, Rivers Commission of

Inquiry revealed that out of the 97

allegations of killings it received, 94

of them occurred between November

15, 2014, and April 11, 2015. A total

of 275 different violations involving

killings, injuries to persons or

destruction were reported to the

Inquiry.

Similarly another report by the

Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) records

revealed no fewer than 66 reports of

violent incidents targeted at polling,

the Commission's officials, voters

and election materials in the 2015

general elections. These were in

Rivers State (16), Ondo (8), Cross

River and Ebonyi (6 each), Akwa

Money politics is another lingering

challenge threatening peaceful

electoral process and democratic

culture in Nigeria.

Source: ©Free Press Journal

stem the tide.

Money politics is another

lingering challenge threatening

peaceful electoral process and

democratic culture in Nigeria.

Political financing has become a

profitable investment in the

country. Despite the limits to

campaign donations as stipulated

by the Electoral Act, in 2015 general

elections, there was no control of

electoral spending, as billions of

naira were expended on political

c a m p a i g n a d v e r t s , l u r i n g

traditional leaders and political

road shows.

The legislators should identify

key laws and priority areas for

reforms to empower INEC and

relevant electoral bodies to deal

with perpetrators of serious

offences in the electoral process, and

ensure a level playing ground for

c o m p e t i t i v e e l e c t i o n s a n d

guarantees for all democratic rights

and freedoms as enshrined in the

Constitution.

Also, the ongoing review of the

1999 Constitution should be fast-

tracked to address emerging issues

affecting Exclusive and Concurrent

Legislative Lists for timely growth

and development of the country.

This will ensure issues related to

Immunity Clauses, Devolution of

Powers , Loca l Government

A u t o n o m y a n d f i n a n c i a l

independence of States Houses of

Assembly and Residency Rights and

t h e i s s u e s r e s u l t i n g i n

REPORT


The channel through which

citizens access their legislature has

been through their e lected

representatives. In Nigeria, where

the electorate is geographically

divided into constituencies with

members representing a specific

locality, such access is expected to

be typically facilitated by face-to-

face contact or through constituency

office.

To strengthen its relation with

the constituency, while legislature

must be available and accessible to

the public, a legislator must report

back to the constituents on what is

happening in Assembly. A good

legislator must create a functional

Constituency Office and maintain

constant visit to his or her

constituency to establish workable

relationship with the constituents

for constant consultation and as a

feedback mechanism for proper

r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . T h r o u g h

Constituency Office, members of the

public can approach elected

legislators and make constructive

input in legislative process as it

affect them. The services available

at the constituency office must be

available equally to all members of

citizens who understand how to

voice their interests, act collectively

a n d h o l d p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s

accountable. Citizens have the

responsibility to understand the

basis of citizenship, politics and

government as well as knowledge to

make good policy choices and proper

use of authority. It is on this process

that citizens can exercise their

rights without unreasonable

resistance or harassment from

authorities or others.

Source: ©Dreamstime

Source: ©howcome

Statelessness are cr i t ical ly

examined and addressed.

It would be recalled that the

Assembly, in its legislative agenda,

had pledged to deliver on the

amendments within the shortest

possible time.

Constituency accountability

As democracy's credibility and

sustainability depends, to a large

extent, on effective citizens'

participation, and on what it

delivers, the quality of democratic

politics diminishes if citizens are

i g n o r a n t a b o u t t h e i r

representatives.

While the concept of legislature

legitimacy implies that citizens

have some knowledge of their

legislative institution and a certain

level of support for it, the exercise of

democratic control over the

legislative system and the policy-

making process, in the words of

Baker et. al, cannot occur unless the

p u b l i c h a s a n e l e m e n t a r y

understanding of the national

legislative institution and its

membership.

Meanwhile, the workability of

democracy, in the analysis of

National Democratic Institute

(NDI), requires informed and active

COVER STORY


launched by individuals or group.

It is no more news in the country

that some political and socio-

economic saboteurs and other

enemies of social integration in most

occasions take advantage of the

exist ing instabi l i ty to fuel

precarious attacks on innocent

citizens, primarily for their selfish

and unpatriotic interest.

The increasing rate of insecurity

in some parts of Nigeria is a clear

indication that security of lives and

property is by far eluding the

citizens on a daily bases. It is glaring

that the rate of insecurity is rooted

f r o m d i v e r s e a n d c o m p l e x

phenomena ranging from socio-

economic, political and ethno-

cultural disagreements to criminal

activities across the country. The

situation has exposed the executive,

legislative, judiciary, government

officials, traditional rulers, their

subjects, and family members to all

manners of threats.

Encouraging social cohesion

among various groups in the country

with key interests in national socio-

political development is paramount

to combat insecurity. Each

constituent part of the country

should be involved in the national

socio-political and economic

decisions. This will not only help to

install the years of lost confidence in

leaderships, but also to achieve

national socio-political stability.

Workable efforts must be made

to stop violence and proliferation of

small arms and ammunitions across

the country. This has long

contributed to the intensifying rate

of insecurity.

Due care and calculated

thoughts must be exercised in

government's response to armed

violence; since various attempts to

tackle conflicts in forceful manner

have provoked an escalation of

violence generating hefty support

for armed groups and strengthening

the positions of militants in Nigeria.

The National Assembly should

intensify its oversight on security

sector to complement and sustain

the nation's recent achievements at

combating insecurity and prioritise

the public.

I n t h e w o r d s o f I n t e r -

Parliamentary Union (IPU), a

Constituency Office provides a key

point of contact for electors with

their representative and local staff.

In view of its importance, legislators

initiate wide-ranging programmes

t o e n s u r e e f f e c t i v e

operat i ona l i za t i on o f the i r

Constituency Offices, where

members are available to see their

constituents.

Civ i l Soc iety Legis lat ive

Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) finds it

paramount that members should

experience their constituents'

concerns and problems at first hand,

and not just rely on second-hand

reports when assessing the impact

of legislation.

One-to-one and one-to-many

communications between individual

legislators and their constituents

remain important elements of direct

c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n a

legis lature and the publ ic .

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s b e t w e e n

legislators and citizens in the

constituencies help lawmakers

make appropriate decisions about

legislation and public policy issues,

and provide enabling platform for

the expression of public views and

opinions.

T h e l e g i s l a t o r s a s

representatives of the people must

s t r e n g t h e n t h e i r w o r k i n g

relationship with their respective

constituencies for constructive

information and contributions to

inform qualitative and citizens-led

legislative process.

Security Sector

In recent times, the spate of

insecurity in Nigeria arising from

bomb blasts, assassinations,

kidnappings, communal clashes has

become order of the day. It is

worrisome that communities are

persistently invaded and innocent

lives are lost to dreadful attacks

COVER STORY


n e e d f o r a d o p t i o n a n d

implementation of African Union

Convention on Internally Displaced

Persons.

The Summit observed and

lamented absence of frameworks to

provide holistic approach in

supporting IDPs' search for durable

solutions, and in preparing for and

preventing future displacement. It

reiterated the importance of

national responsibility to ensuring

an effective approach to internal

displacement, calling for prompt

domestication and implementation

of Kampala Convention on IDPs in

Nigeria.

In April 2015, a joint assessment

by the International Organization

for Migration (IOM) and National

Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA) identified no fewer than

1,538,982 registered IDPs in the

states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno,

Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Plateau,

Nasarawa, Abuja (Federal Capital

Territory), Kano and Kaduna.

It would be recalled that on 6

December 2012, the African Union

(AU) celebrated the entry into force

of the AU Convention for the

Protection and Assistance of

Internally Displaced Persons in

Africa, also known as the Kampala

Convention. The Convention was

endorsed in 2009 at an AU Special

Summit in Kampala, Uganda and

signed by 31 of the 53 member states

of the African Union including

Nigeria.

The Convention aims to mitigate

the causes of displacement,

including through establishing

early warning systems and taking

measures to reduce disaster risks. It

also sets out the obligation of states

to protect and assist internally

displaced persons “by meeting their

basic needs as well as allowing and

facilitating rapid and unimpeded

a c c e s s b y h u m a n i t a r i a n

organizations and personnel” and to

ensure durable solutions.

It establishes that member

states that are not in a position to

meet the humanitarian needs of

IDPs are expected to seek out and

facilitate international assistance.

The Convention also provides that

humanitarian organizations must

abide by humanitarian principles,

international standards and codes

of conduct.

In addit ion to access to

humanitarian assistance, the

C o n v e n t i o n s e t s o u t a

comprehensive set of protection

issues, such as non-discrimination,

freedom of movement and sexual

and gender based violence, and

obliges States Parties to take

measures ensuring the protection of

IDPs in these respects.

It has become imperative for the

National Assembly to expedite

action in the domestication of the

Kampala Convention and reviewing

the Act setting up the National

Commission for Refugees.

Open Government

Partnership

The National Assembly should

ensure legislation that will facilitate

the country's ability to keep to her

commitments to the international

community are revisited and

addressed. The National Action

Plan for the implementation of the

Open Government Partnership that

seeks to pursue open governance

and the Roadmap to implement

Beneficial Ownership under the

Extractive Industries Transparency

Initiative are clear examples of this.

security as a crucial issue to attain

desired political and socio-economic

growth and development at all

levels.

Internally Displaced Persons

(IDPs)

The recurr ing nature o f

numerous internal conflicts and

natural disasters in Nigeria have

rendered thousands homeless

without means of livelihood to suffer

a lot of depravity and other forms of

hardship including loss of income

from inability to work in places

where they are relocated as

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

across the country.

The vulnerable groups such as

children, pregnant women and the

aged are persistently kept under

trees and in uncompleted houses

and left uncared for; as against the

African Union Internally Displaced

Persons Convention, which sets out

the obligation of member states

(including Nigeria) to protect and

assist IDPs in meeting their basic

needs.

Lack of legislation to address the

plights of over 2million IDPs in the

North East and other parts of the

country is appalling.

A National Summit organized

o r g a n i z e d b y C I S L A C i n

col laboration with National

Commission for Refugees, Migrants

and IDPs in 2015 to commemorate

the World Humanitarian Day on

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

freshened critically reflection on the

Lack of legislation to address the

plights of over 2million IDPs in the

North East and other parts of the

country is appalling

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY


he Senate President, Dr. Abubakar TBukola Saraki has promised that the passage of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Bill currently before the National Assembly would be fast-tracked to enable Nigerians living outside the country the opportunity to participate in events within the country.

The Senate President who spoke while receiving a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora led by its Worldwide Coordinator, Dr. Camillius Konkwo, at the National Assembly, said the Bill when passed would facilitate the establishment of the Diaspora Bond for the in - f low o f Fore ign Direct Investments (FDI) into Nigeria among other benefits.

On their request that the electoral act should be amended to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora vote during elections, the Senate President told the delegation that the Electoral Act is almost 95 percent concluded. He

however, promised to give critical consideration to the request since amendment of the act is an ongoing

process that the National Assembly would still look into their request to vote during elections.

he House of Representatives TCommittee on Public Accounts has described as an act of negligence, the failure of the police to report promptly the death of police officers and loss of arms and ammunit ion to the appropriate authorities for immediate action.

Consequently, the Committee had invited officers in the top rank of the Nigeria Police over their handling of the deaths of policemen caused by religious bigots, bandits, hoodlums and militants across the country.

T h e h e a r i n g f o l l o w e d a n investigation into a report of the Auditor General of the Federation for the year ended 31st December, 2013, stating that at the time many of the deaths occurred, various arms and ammunition were carted away by the bandits.

The lawmakers observed that it was the interest shown by the AGF in the matter in 2013 that prompted the police to generate reports on some of the occurrences that took place between 2009 and 2012.

Speaking at the investigative hearing, the Chairman of the

he House of Representatives has Tdirected its Committee on Power to

investigate reports that the Niger Delta

Power Holding Company (NDPHC)

diverted $9 billion which it received

from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

for priority projects including the

construction of 10 power plants, into

other areas.The Committee was mandated to

conduct an investigative hearing

involving all relevant stakeholders to

identify any constitutional breaches and

ascertain the veracity of reported

infractions by the NDPHC and report

back to the House within six weeks for

further legislative action.The resolutions were reached

following a motion sponsored by Hon.

Mark Terseer Gbillah who alleged that

the company had continued to pay

outrageous amounts as wayleave

payments to communities with

significant cost implications to the

Committee, Hon. Kingsley Chinda wondered why the police authorities would delay reporting the deaths and taking necessary actions.

Investigation has revealed the tardiness in the police authorities' response to the welfare of their personnel. The delay in reporting the death of their personnel may partly be responsible for the delay in the payment of compensation for the families of dead police personnel. Through this deliberate delay, top police officers reportedly make money off the plight of those working under them.

According to the Committee, by failing to produce timely and correct statistics of the arms and ammunition that are lost, they also enrich themselves.

The AGF had urged the lawmakers in the report to recommend sanctions for the police for violating relevant provisions of the Financial Regulations for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 2004, which require that the loss of arms should be reported promptly to the appropriate quarters not later than three days.

government."While it generates an operating

surplus which cannot be determined

because it is neither divulged nor paid

into the coffers of the federal

government but rather expended by the

company without legislative approval,"

the lawmaker added."Also alarmed at the lack of

completion of the 10 power plants

awarded by the NDPHC since 2006,

though a few of the plants have been

completed and handed over since 2010

but a local contractor, Rockson

Engineering has refused to hand over

four power plants it was awarded in

controversial circumstances and

appears to be holding the federal

government to ransom over the

completion of the plants while the

equipment and infrastructure continue

to experience wear and tear due to the

protracted delay," Gbillah added.

he Nigerian Senate has resolved to probe the Bureau of Public T

Procurement over alleged inflation of the costs of some contracts, which contravenes the Public Procurement Act.

The resolution by the Upper Chamber arose from a motion entitled “Irregularities in the Award of Contracts by the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP” which was sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye.

Leading debate on the motion, Senator Melaye noted that BPP wrote a Letter of no objection to contract requests of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing but later wrote that it cannot be granted, alleging that the BPP conspicuously changed the contractors and costs of some projects applied for by the ministry. He points out that it was one of the many irregularities that the Bureau of Public Procurement got involved in.

Ruling on the motion, President of the Senate Bukola Saraki ? directed the Senate Committees on Public Procurement; Power, Works and Housing to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the matter and report back to the Senate in four ? weeks.

Reps Summon Police Chiefs over Officers' Deaths

House Moves to Probe Alleged Diversion of U.S $9 Billion NDPHC

Senate Moves to Fast-track the Passage of Diaspora Commission Bill

Senate to Probe Bureau of Public Procurement

STATE ASSEMBLY


he Chief Whip of the Rivers State THouse of Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi has said the need to repeal the State's Reserved Fund Law No. 2 of 2008

he Ogun State House of Assembly Thas approved a request by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to obtain N65.7bn credit facility as part revenue to finance capital projects contained in the 2017 Appropriation Bill earlier approved.

The approval followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe, seconded by Hon. Rasaq Oduntan at a recent plenary.

was sequel to the massive looting of the state's reserved fund.

Hon. Bipi, who stated this during the debate on the Rivers State Reserved

The House in its resolution stated: “Approval to the State Government to obtain a Credit facility of the sum of Sixty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Naira (N65, 785, 633, 717.00) from Domestic and Foreign Banks and other Financial Institutions.

he Bauchi State House of Assembly Thas prohibited sales of lands in some selected Local Governments Areas that have hydrocarbons and other resources prospects.

This was made known by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Ibrahim Hassan at a stakeholders meeting with the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative.

He said that the act was to prevent the sales of lands in the selected local

he Bayelsa State House of TAssembly has approve the sum of N3 billion for the acquisition of official cars for the legislators, political appointees and the state security outfit known as the Duo Akpor.

The approval from the State House of Assembly to the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson was reportedly done in secrete and unanimously supported by the members of the House.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Kombowei Benson, who however

government areas to people especially individuals that are not indigenes of the state. "We learnt that in Alkaleri and Kirfi local government areas some people are selling off their lands to people that are not indigenes of the state. The state House of Assembly has stopped that action because the areas are endowed with petroleum resources. We don't want incidences were we sell out the lands and when is time to start drilling the resources it becomes something else,” he said.

conf irmed the development to leadership in a text message, stated that though the proceeding in which the approval was made was not conducted in secrete. “I know there will be reactions but the main issues are that even Duo Akpo security vans are needed. For the Assembly, it is our right to have official cars and we are now in our second year without cars. We are going for highlander not expensive Prado or land cruiser in other to cut cost,” he explained.

he Lagos State Governor TAkinwunmi Ambode has signed into law a Bill stipulating death penalty for kidnappers, whose victims die in their custody and life imprisonment for act of kidnapping.

Signing the bill into law at the State House, Ikeja, Ambode said in recent times, kidnapping had become a major threat to the safety of citizens and therefore required decisive action by the government. “What we are doing in respect of kidnapping is in good spirit so that we can eradicate it complete from Lagos,” he said.

It would be recalled that the State House of Assembly had on 5 January, 2017 passed the 'Bill for a Law to Provide for the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping and other Connected Purposes”, specifying death and life i m p r i s o n m e n t p e n a l t i e s f o r kidnappers.

The bill prescribes death sentence for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody. Kidnappers whose victims did not die in their custody will get life jail. The Bill was passed following the adoption of a report presented by Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.

Lagos Approves Death Penalty for Kidnappers

he Kebbi State Governor, Atiku TBagudu has presented a budget proposal of N139.3 billion for the year 2017 to the State House of Assembly, noting that the budget comprised N99.1 billion capital expenditure and N40billion recurrent expenditure.

The governor said priority areas of the budget would be accorded to education, agriculture, health and infrastructure sectors just as effort would be made to boost internally generated revenue. He said the 2017 budget would consolidate the gains achieved by the previous budget,

improve infrastructure, empowerment, transparency and accountability.

He also ordered the suspension of all mining activities in the state pending the development of new guidelines for mining activities and the determination of 13 per cent royalties for payment by mining firms.

Presiding over the session, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulmumini Kamba, who presided over the presentation, assured that the lawmakers would ensure due diligence and speedy passage of the budget.

Kebbi Assembly receives N139.3bn as 2017 Appropriation Bill

Rivers Assembly Repeals Reserved Fund Law

Ogun Assembly Approves N65.7bn Request

Bauchi Assembly Halts Sale of Land to non-Indigene

Bayelsa Approves 3bn Vehicles for Legislators, Others

Fund Repeal Bill 2017 at the Assembly's plenary session in Port Harcourt, stressed the need for immediate repeal of the law to give way for the development of the state.

Also speaking, the Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said the prevailing economic recession in the country had made it imperative to repeal the law which was passed in 2008.

“In the face of the current recession and dwindling federal allocations to the state, this law can no longer stand the test of time. And when a law becomes obsolete, it is the duty of the executive to call for its repeal,” he explained.

Maintaining that the law is not in the best interest of the Rivers people, Amaewhule said that it must be repealed to facilitate the development of the state.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani, consequently committed the bill to the Committee on Public Accounts for further action.

PHOTOSPEAK


Participants in a group photo after a bi-monthly National Civil Society Consultative Forum on Peace and Security organised by CISLAC with support from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation

Programme (NSRP) in Abuja.

Members of the House of

Representatives'

Committees on Health and

Appropriation, and

development partner in a

group photo after a dinner

organised by CISLAC in

Abuja

Participants in a group photo

at second meeting of the

Media and Civil Society on

Internal Displacement in

Nigeria, organised by CISLAC

with support from the

Embassy of Switzerland in

Nigeria, and in collaboration

with the United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) in Abuja.

GENDER AND MATERNAL HEALTH


network of traditional healers and

patent medicine vendors that provide

care. Free maternal and child health

services are provided in all the 34

health facilities belonging to the State

government and 116 LGA-owned

Primary Health Care facilities.

Kaduna State has an Essential

Services and Systems Package that

has defined the essential services to

be provided, the infrastructure,

Understanding Kaduna State's Maternal Health Policies

By Chioma Kanu

As part of the efforts to address maternal

and child health challenges, the State

Government introduced scaling-up provision

of Free Maternal and Child Health (FMCH)

services from 115 to 255 facilities in 2011.

aduna State is the third most

populous State in Nigeria Kwith about seven million

population. As at 2013, Kaduna State

lnfant Mortality Ratio stood at 69 per

1000 child birth as recorded by the

National Demographic Health

Survey.

As reported by KSSHDP, 2010,

health care services in the State are

provided from a total of 1,692 health

care facilities; of which 40.2% of these

health facilities belong to the private

sector. 96.5% of all the health

facilities are primary health care,

3.2% secondary health care and 0.3%

tertiary health care facilities.

As part of the efforts to address

maternal and child health challenges,

the State Government introduced

scaling-up provision of Free Maternal

and Child Health (FMCH) services

from 115 to 255 facilities in 2011;

implemented the Primary Health

Care Drug Management Agencies in

2012 by appointing management and

staff, allocating of office space, and

specifying budgets in the 2013

Appropriation Law; transferred

m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e F M C H

programme from the Governor's office

to the Ministry of Health, under the

supervision of the Permanent

Secretary; approved additional 500

million naira in 2013 to enhance the

provision of free healthcare services

to pregnant women and children

under-five – having already increased

the health budget for three successive

years; signed an MoU with Dangote

foundation and BMGF in 2015

towards polio eradication initiative

and routine immunization services;

appointed a Board Chairman for state

Primary Health Care Development

Agency following ascension of its

establishment law in the state.

The State is endowed with a rich

Kano State Assembly during the Public Hearing.

Continued on page 15

OPINION


he democratic system of government has been widely practiced in the world, and T

the most recognized element within three arms of government is the legislative arm. So, it remains the only body that ensures the practice of democracy.

Furthermore, the legislature remains the true representative of the people playing a leading role of sustaining democracy. There are two most recognized systems of legislative practice—Unicameral (legislature with one chamber) and bicameral (Legislature with two chambers).

Choice between the two systems depends on the nature, structure and mode of operating system of democratic government of a particular country.

Like any institution, there should be enough finance to maintain the legislative institution. Due to its significance and structure, the legislative arm must be allocated some funds to enable it discharge its constitutional mandate economically, efficiently and effectively.

Basically, in most cases the unicameral system of legislature is less costly to maintain than bicameral system which is more costly to operate. But the major determinants of high cost of running legislature are number of seats available to form a legislative chamber and the different allowances provided to the legislative members as well as economic condition of a country

The Cost of Maintaining Federal Legislature in Nigeria (1)

among others. Considering the size of the country

and diversity in culture in 1946, the colonies introduced the bicameral legislature for the first time. However, the bicameral system of legislature had fully come into operation in the second republic 1979. For the purpose of meeting up the legislature service standard and to provide the enabling legislation environment for discharging enormous responsi-bilities of over 170 million people.

Section 51 of the 1999 Constitution provides that “[t]here shall be a clerk to the National Assembly and such other staff as may be prescribed by an Act of the National assembly, the method of appointment of clerk to the National Assembly and Shall be as prescribed by that Act”. This Section gave birth to the National Assembly services commission

By Usman A. Aliyu

(NASC) Act Cap No. 7 2014 (Repeal and enactment) bill which established five Directorates of the commission such as: Directorate of corporate Affairs, Directorate of finance and Account Directorate of legal services, Directorate of procurement estate and works and Directorate of common services.

The National Assembly consists of the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives which provides the clerk and other staff of the National Assembly as well and other staff of each house of the Senate and the Federal House Representatives. The National Assembly Service Commission is responsible for the appointment, recruitment and promotion of staff of the National Assembly whose duties are to run the affairs of the National Assembly and provide enabling environment for legislative.

Also, it has about 5,000 civil servants apart from the 500 civil servants of the National Assembly services Commission (NASC) and other staff both Academic and non-Academic of National Institute for Legislative studies (NILS) and Public Complain Commission (PCC), which are Agencies under the National Assembly. Similarly the National Assembly has 469 members five legislative aides for each member excluding principal officers. Two legislative aides, senior

Basically, in most cases the unicameral

system of legislature is less costly to

maintain than bicameral system which

is more costly to operate.


OPINION

staffing and drugs required for each

level of the public health care

system. What is left is to revise it to

include all integrated maternal,

n e w b o r n a n d c h i l d h e a l t h

components.

The main components of the

KESSP are: Integrated maternal

newborn and child health that

includes childhood immunizations,

provision of child spacing, antenatal,

delivery, basic emergency and

comprehensive emergency services

and newborn resuscitation services;

growth monitoring promotion of

exclusive breastfeeding and

micronutrient supplementation;

malaria prevention and control

through prov i s i on o f ACT,

intermittent preventive therapy to

pregnant women, long lasting

insecticide treated nets to pregnant

women and children aged less than 5

Sustainable Drug Supply Program,

drug revolving funds have been

revamped in 55 facilities in an effort

to ensure availability of drugs in

public primary and secondary

health facilities. There are plans to

increase the number to 150 (both

Primary and Secondary Health

Facilities). At a recent Dialogue by

At a recent Dialogue with

various ministries in the State,

CISLAC observed that the State

Government has in recent times

embarked on several activities at

reducing maternal mortality such

as construction and refurbishment

of Primary Health Care centres

across the 255 Wards; and provision

of annual international scholarship

scheme for female medical students

to encourage inclusiveness ,

adequate attendance and timely

response to maternal and child

health care in the state.

years; HIV/AIDS and TB prevention

and control interventions; control of

non-communicable diseases namely

hypertension, diabetes and cancers;

s t ra teg i c behav io ra l change

communication to create demand for

services and modify lifestyle and

health care seeking behavior

appropriately.

The proportion of skilled health

workers as at 2010 was 35.5% while

the number of facilities providing

FMCH was 115. These facilities were

later scaled up to 144 in 2012.

Fee for service at point of service

delivery is the dominant method of

financing health care services in the

State. However, with the introduction

of Free Maternal and Child Health, a

total of 115 public PHCs and 28

secondary health facilities currently

provide some components of MCH

free.

I n a d d i t i o n , t h r o u g h t h e

legislative aide, personal assistant and the secretary add up to about 4600.

In this case, it is important to understand that the cost o f maintaining unicameral legislature is less than that of bicameral legislature. Bicameral is costly to run. For each chamber, there must be a clerk and other staff who perform similar function of that other c h a m b e r . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e bicameral usually comes with presidential system of government in which the executive is distinct from the legislative. Thus in bicameral system, salaries and allowances must be provided for both members of the legislative and executive separately while the unicameral system usually comes with parliamentary. In this system, a legislative member is a member of both the executive and the legislative and he is entitled to salary and allowances of an executive member only.

Secondly, the total number of seat into the legislative chamber depends on the population quota of equal representation to demarcate a constituency that produces a

l e g i s l a t i v e c o n s t i t u e n c y f o r representation. In the Senate, equal representation of constituency is provided for every state with three equal Senatorial District making 108 for 36 states and one Senatorial District for Federal Capital Territory. Thus, there must be increment of more Senatorial Districts , i f additional states are established in line with section 8 of the constitution as in the same case in the Federal House of Representative. For instance the total salaries and allowances to be paid to 360 members of Federal House of Representatives is more than the Senate due to higher numbers of seats allocated for legislative member which increases the running cost. Furthermore, the number of seats available depends on the population per seat (which indicates the total number of population per seat into the National Assembly).

In Nigerian, for every seat, there are averagely 377,731 people, compared to the United State congress 569, 560 people and the United Kingdom 44, 576 people, the South Africa 98, 726 people and Morocco with 73 million people and the population per seat of 49, 600

people. This indicates that all the countries mentioned except the United States are more costly of maintaining legislature. That is, the higher the population per seat the lower cost of running legislature and the lower the population per seat the higher the cost of running of legislative chamber.

Thirdly, the salary and allowance package is the most significant factor affecting the cost of running a legislature and the most recognized factor by people. Every legislature determines i t s sa lar ies and allowances. In Nigeria, the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) had published the salaries and allowances packages of the members of the National Assembly to include: basic salary, vehicle fuelling and maintenance, constituency allowance, domestic s ta f f , Personal Ass is tance , entertainment recess, utilities, Newspapers, house maintenance, wardrobe, tour duty allowance and estacode which when added up sum of ? 12,902,360 and ? 9,525,485 for a Senator and Federal House of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s m e m b e r respectively.

Understanding Kaduna State's Maternal Health PoliciesContinued from page 13

PEACE BUILDING

16

n r e c e n t t i m e s , t h e

unprecedented levels o f Isuffering and vulnerability of

people caught up in natural

disasters and conflicts has reached

alarming rate, with a specific global

call to regional leaders for strong

political will to prioritize political

leadership to address the causes of

crises – through preventing

conflicts, protecting rights, tackling

climate change and resourcing

efforts to reduce the risk of disasters

and increase community resilience –

for the well-being of tens of millions

of people who struggle to survive.

It is no more news that West

Africa remains a vulnerable region

to both natural disasters and

conflict of various kinds, resulting in

avertable monumental loss of lives

and property.

While violent conflicts are

declining in the sub-region, recent

insurgencies in the Sahel region


By Auwal Ibrahim Musa

(Rafsanjani)

affecting the West African countries

of Mali, Niger and Mauritania and

low intensity conflicts surging

within notably stable countries

such as Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal

sends alarming signals of the

possible re-surfacing of internal and

regional violent conflicts.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e r e c e n t

establishment of Early Warning

D e p a r t m e n t i n E C O W A S

Commission is indeed a welcome

strategic and holistic step towards

improving efficiency, especially in

the prevention of conflict to achieve

peaceful, secured and more stable

region.

Similarly, there have been

i n c r e a s i n g l y s u p p o r t s b y

international donors supporting the

programmes and activities of Civil

Society Organisation in ensuring

efficiency and transparency in the

regional front-line humanitarian

action with specific commitments to

protect women and children from

the severe impacts of disasters;

The Role of Civil Society in Early Warning

Source: ©Dreams Time

It is no more news that West Africa remains a

vulnerable region to both natural disasters

and conflict of various kinds, resulting in

avertable monumental loss of lives and

property.

PEACE BUILDING


address the plights of refuges and

Internally Displaced Persons; and

create synergy towards disaster

risks prevention and management.

On this note, Civil Society as a

major stakeholder in conflict

prevention and management

remains an integral party to

complement the work and effort of

the Commission in the efficient,

e f f e c t i v e a n d s u s t a i n a b l e

operationalization of Early Warning

system.

It is important to note that CSOs

work at different levels within West

African region on various conflict

prevention issues including human

rights, education, promoting

dialogue, security sector reform,

conflict-sensitive development,

election monitoring, gender equality

and post-conflict reconstruction.

While CSOs have been involved

in formal conflict prevention

initiatives, they are under-utilised

by the ECOWAS Commission and

national governments. To achieve

the objectives of Early Warning

system, the Commission and

nat ional governments must

incorporate CSOs working at

community, national and regional

levels as partners in formal conflict

prevention frameworks and

initiatives.

The involvement of civil society

o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e

operationalization of the Early

W a r n i n g s y s t e m a n d t h e

strengthening of peacebuilding

CSOs to facilitate formal and

informal conflict management

mechanisms in the sub-region are

p a r a m o u n t a n d s h o u l d b e

encouraged for effective and

sustainable operationalization of

the system.

The regional Civil Society

therefore, plays the following vital

roles in Early Warning system:

Instrumental in monitoring for the

ECOWAS early warning system;

sustaining advocacy efforts on small

arms and light weapons; supporting

peaceful negotiations by creating

the right conditions for talks,

building confidence, shaping the

conduct and content of negotiations

and influence the sustainability of

a g r e e m e n t s ; p r o m o t i n g

reconciliation, enhancing local

ownership o f peacebui ld ing

initiatives and contributing towards

democratisation processes in post-

conflict situations; advancing

women's participation in peace

process through formation of

networks to spread information on

attacks and safe routes to reduce the

impact of violence; working closely

with ECOWAS in implementing

conflict prevention mechanisms;

highlighting precarious situations

in conflict areas in member

countries of ECOWAS through its

periodic policy briefs; engaging

traditional, religious and relevant

authorities in the grassroots in

p e a c e n e g o t i a t i o n a n d

sustainability, conflict prevention

and management through regular

c o n s u l t a t i v e m e e t i n g s a n d

dialogues; building the capacity of

c o m m u n i t i e s a n d r e l e v a n t

stakeholders to detect and predict

security threats in the sub-region.

Finally, based on the recent

recurring conflicts in the region,

there is cause for an enhanced

working relationship between

ECOWAS and c iv i l soc ie ty

organizations regarding the

operationalization of the Early

Warning System. I would also like to

e n c o u r a g e t h e E C O W A S

C o m m i s s i o n a n d n a t i o n a l

government to consider Civil Society

as an institution that can be trusted

and strengthened such areas as

peace, regional integration, conflict

prevention and sustainability.

Adapted from a paper presented by

the Acting General Secretary of West

African Civil Society Forum

(WACSOF) and Executive Director

of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa

(Rafsanjani) at Orientation of the

Newly Recruited ECOWAS EWD

Staff organised by ECOWAS

Commission, Abuja

Civil Society as a major stakeholder in

conflict prevention and management remains

an integral party to complement the work

and effort of the Commission in the efficient,

effective and sustainable operationalization

of Early Warning system.

While CSOs have been involved in formal

conflict prevention initiatives, they are

under-utilised by the ECOWAS Commission

and national governments.


COMMUNIQUE

PREAMBLE:

ivil Society Legislative Advocacy

Centre (CISLAC) organized a One-

day Legislative and Executive CDia logue on Act i on f o r E f f ec t ive

Implementation of Policies on Maternal

Health. The Dialogue aims at bringing

Kaduna State's legislators, executive and

civil society arms under one roof to

brainstorm on necessary action for effective

implementation and oversight of the existing

policies and law on maternal and child health

in the state. The meeting drew over 20

participants representing the state's

Ministries of Health, Education and Women

Affairs, Civil Society Organizations, and the

Media. After exhaustive deliberations on

various thematic issues, the following

observations and recommendations were

made:

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The Kaduna State Government has in

recent times embarked on several

activities at reducing maternal

mortality such as construction and

refurbishment of Primary Health Care

centres across the 255 Wards; and

provision of annual international

scholarship scheme for female medical

students to encourage inclusiveness,

adequate attendance and timely

response to maternal and child health

care in the state.

2. As at 2013, Kaduna State lnfant

Mortality Ratio stood at 69 per 1000

child birth as recorded by the NDHS.

3. Effective operationalisation of the

introduced Free Maternal Child Health

services is yet to be achieved in the state

or translated into legislation to enhance

sustainable, affordable and accessible

health care services.

4. Inadequate information on the existing

Free Maternal and Child Health

services and policies by the State

Government impedes accessibility,

especially by the people in the

grassroots.

5. While Kaduna state is yet to attain the

15% benchmark on health allocation,

the state is hit by shortage of skilled

health workers in the health facilities,

and other related challenges like

constant migration of skilled health

w o r k e r s a s a r e s u l t o f p o o r

remuneration.

6. Lack of enabling and agreeable

indicator on the existing maternal

mortality rate impedes effort and

intervention in maternal and child

health in the state.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A ONE-DAY LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE DIALOGUE ON ACTION FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES ON MATERNAL HEALTH ORGANIZED BY CIVIL SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CENTRE (CISLAC) WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, HELD AT CHIMCHERRY HOTEL, KADUNA STATE ON 19TH JANUARY, 2017.


COMMUNIQUE

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Proactive civil society and media

advocacy and sensitisation to ensure

effective information dissemination on

maternal and child health services,

especially in the grassroots to

encourage accessibility and attendance

in health facilities.

2. Strengthening the state's Health

Monitoring and Evaluation system to

improve health data documentation,

coordination and management

mechanism.

3. E f f e c t i v e d o m e s t i c a t i o n a n d

implementation of the National Health

Act 2014 in the state to complement

operationalization of Primary Health

Care centres in maternal and child

health services.

4. Adequate legislative oversight on the

harmonization and implementation of

strategic policies and legislation on

maternal health services to promote

accountability and transparence in

health service provision and delivery.

5. Concerned civil society, media and

community advocacy towards

adequate health care provision to

e n s u r e a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d

transparency in health care service

del ivery through construct ive

whistleblowing system.

6. Prompt survey of the state's health

service coverage and delivery to

ascertain the existing maternal

mortality rate and aid appropriate

resource allocation to the health sector.

7. Strengthening the existing PHCUOR

to provide quality services.

ACTION POINTS:

· Civil Society to follow-up on the Free

Maternal and Child Health Bill to ensure

appropriate legislative action.

· Civil Society to follow-up on Free MCH

services to ensure full coverage (from 115

to 255 Wards) across Primary Health Care

centre in the state.

· Increased civil society monitoring and

evaluation into the implementation of

Appropriation Act to address challenges in

health service delivery, especially in the

grassroots.

· Ministry of Education to collaborate with

Health counterpart to ensure training and

re-training of female students in health

and medical related courses to enhance

inclusiveness and intervention in the

state's maternal and child health services.

· Ministry of Education to incorporate male

students in the scholarship scheme to

ensure gender-balance.

· Strengthening the administration of

Health Information Management Data

Tools through appropriate capacity

building in all health facilities.

· Regular interface with women groups on

maternal health services.

· Ministry of Women Affairs and Social

Development to Strengthen coordination

on maternal and child health issues.

Signed:

1. Hauwa AdewaleKaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

2. Hosea BakoGlobal Initiative for Women and Children (GIWAC)

3. Daniel G. AliKaduna State Ministry of Health


group of civil society experts

has identified 14 holistic Asteps for African Leaders to

curtail the endemic Illicit Financial

Flow (IFF) resulting in monumental

financial losses on the continent.

The group made this known in a

recent statement issued as national

leaders converged at the African

Union Summit in Addis Ababa to

discuss issues of critical importance

a f f e c t i n g t h e g r o w t h a n d

development of the continent.

The experts' positions entitled

“Accelerated Agenda for Addressing

Illicit Financial Flows in Africa”

comes at a time where there is

vacuum in global leadership on the

issues of IFFs. The 14 point agenda

integrates fundamental political and

institutional steps that African

g o v e r n m e n t s a n d A f r i c a n

multilateral agencies can take to

curb IFFs.

The experts said: “Robbing the

African continent of more than $70

billion per year, IFFs represent one

of the largest problems facing Africa

today. The international community

has already recognized IFFs as a

major impediment to development,

incorporating reduction of IFFs into

the Financing for Development

Conference's Addis Ababa Action

Agenda and the United Nations'

Sustainable Development Goals.

“Likewise, the UN Economic

Commission for Africa's High Level

Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from

Africa published a watershed report

on the subject in 2015, and the

ambitious African Union Agenda

2063 highlights the importance of

eliminating illicit flows as a key way

to increase domestic resource

mobilization.”

While IFFs are corrosive to

development efforts and curtail the

abi l i ty to capture domest ic

resources, they identified domestic

resource mobilization as the most

crucial ingredient in reaching the

Sustainable Development Goals. “It

will require energetic and concerted

action from governments to fix the

problem and the Accelerated IFF

Agenda identifies effective steps to

kick-start the process”.

The experts said one way in which

the Accelerated IFF Agenda could

a d d r e s s g o v e r n a n c e a n d

accountability issues on the

continent was inclusion of IFF-

measures in the African Peer Review

Mechanism (APRM) by African

leaders to clearly articulate their

position against IFFs.

“The AU has taken a lead role in

recognizing the problem of IFFs on

the continent. It can take a step

further by including IFF-measures

in the African Peer Review

Mechanism (APRM),”they noted.

Identifying IFFs as phenomena

associating with corruption, the

group called for open procurement

systems, using common and

accessible approaches like the Open

Contracting Data Standard to

“ensure that government is not

contributing to the theft of its

people's future”.

T h e g r o u p o f e x p e r t s

representing organizations based in

Africa and the United States

include: Auwal Ibrahim Musa

(Rafsanjani), Executive Director,

Civil Society Legislative Center

(CISLAC) , Niger ia ; Crysta l

Simeoni, Policy Lead – Tax and

I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i n a n c i a l

Architecture, Tax Justice Network-

Africa (TJN-A), Kenya; Donald

Deya, Chief Executive Officer, Pan

African Lawyers' Union (PALU),

Tanzania; Donald Ideh, Project

Director, Nigeria Anti-Corruption

and Criminal Justice Reform Fund,

TrustAfrica, Nigeria; Heather

Lowe, Legal Counsel & Director of

Government Affairs , Global

Financial Integrity, USA; Liz

Confalone, Policy Counsel, Global

Financial Integrity, USA; Jason

R o s a r i o B r a g a n z a , D e p u t y

Executive Director, Tax Justice

Network-Africa (TJN-A), Kenya;

Jean Mballa Mballa, Directeur,

Centre Régional Africain pour le

Développement Endogène et

Communauta ire (CRADEC) ,

Cameroon; and Raymond Baker,

President, Global Financial

Integrity, USA.

By Abubakar Jimoh

TAX JUSTICE

Civil Society Experts devise 14 steps to combat IFFs


legislative measures are taken by it that would be

inconsistent with the previous two paragraphs.

7. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN urge the Government of

The Gambia to take all necessary measures to assure

and ensure that there is no intimidation, harassment

and/or witch-hunting of former regime members and

supporters, in conformity with the Constitution and

other laws of The Gambia.

8. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the

Government of The Gambia to prevent the seizure of

assets and properties lawfully belonging to former

President Jammeh or his family and those of his

Cabinet members, government officials and Party

supporters, as guaranteed under the Constitution and

other Laws of The Gambia.

9. In order to avoid any recriminations, ECOWAS, the AU

and the UN commit to work with the Government of

The Gambia on national reconciliation to cement social,

cultural and national cohesion.

10. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN underscore strongly the

important role of the Gambian Defence and Security

Forces in the maintenance of peace and stability of The

Gambia and commit to work with the Government of

The Gambia to ensure that it takes all appropriate

measures to support the maintenance of the integrity of

the [Defence and] Security Forces and guard against all

measures that can create division and a breakdown of

order.

11. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN will work to ensure that

host countries that offer “African hospitality” to former

President Jammeh and his family do not become undue

targets of harassment, intimidation and all other

pressures and sanctions.

12. In order to assist a peaceful and orderly transition and

transfer of power and the establishment of a new

government, HE former President Jammeh will

temporarily leave The Gambia on 21 January 2017,

without any prejudice to his rights as a citizen, a former

President and a Political Party Leader.

13. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN will work with the

Government of The Gambia to ensure that former

President Jammeh is at liberty to return to The Gambia

at any time of his choosing in accordance with

international human rights law and his rights as a

citizen of the Gambia and a former head of state.

14. Pursuant to this declaration, ECOWAS will halt any

military operations in The Gambia and will continue to

pursue peaceful and political resolution of the crisis.

1. Following the Decision of the Summit of the ECOWAS

Authority taken on 17th December 2016 in Abuja,

Nigeria, Mediation efforts, including visits to Banjul,

were undertaken by the Chair of the Authority of

ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, HE

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Mediator, HE

President Muhammadu Buhari and Co-Mediator on

The Gambia, HE former President John Dramani

Mahama, along with HE President Ernest Bai Koroma

to mediate on the political impasse with Sheikh

Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh.

2. Following further mediation efforts by HE President

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of

Mauritania and HE President Alpha Conde of the

Republic of Guinea Conakry with HE Sheikh Professor

Alhaji Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, the former President

of the Republic of The Gambia, and in consultation

with the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of

Heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of

the African Union and the Secretary-General of the

United Nations, this declaration is made with the

purpose of reaching a peaceful resolution to the

political situation in The Gambia.

3. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commend the goodwill

and statesmanship of His Excellency former President

Jammeh, who with the greater interest of the Gambian

people in mind, and in order to preserve the peace,

stability and security of The Gambia and maintain its

sovereignty, territorial integrity and the dignity of the

Gambian people, has decided to facilitate an

immediate peaceful and orderly transition process and

transfer of power to President Adama Barrow in

accordance with the Gambian constitution.

4. In furtherance of this, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN

commit to work with the Government of The Gambia to

ensure that it assures and ensures the dignity, respect,

security and rights of HE former President Jammeh, as

a citizen, a party leader and a former Head of State as

provided for and guaranteed by the 1997 Gambian

Constitution and other Laws of The Gambia.

5. Further, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to

work with the Government of The Gambia to ensure

that it fully guarantees, assures and ensures the

dignity, security, safety and rights of former President

Jammeh's immediate family, cabinet members,

government officials, Security Officials and party

supporters and loyalists.

6. ECOWAS, the AU and the UN commit to work with the

Government of The Gambia to ensure that no

REPORT

JOINT DECLARATION BY THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES, THE

AFRICAN UNION AND THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION OF THE ISLAMIC

REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA ISSUED ON 21ST DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 IN BANJUL, THE GAMBIA.

REPORT


he 28th Summit of the Heads

of State and Government of Tthe African Union (AU)

officially opened on 30 January 2017

at the headquarters of the African

Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with

a strong call for unity to uphold the

maintenance of peace and stability in

the continent.

The Nelson Mandela plenary hall

was full to capacity with delegates

and special invitees coming to

witness the important event. They

heard from distinguished speakers

who took their turn on the podium to

enlighten the world on the progress

made so far in the continent and some

of the challenges that Africa faces, as

well as proposals for the way forward.

The event was marked under the

AU theme: “Harnessing the

Demographic Dividend through

Investments in the Youth”.

The outgoing Chairperson of the

Union, President Idriss Deby Itno of

the Republic of Chad declared open

the official ceremony of the 28th AU

summit before handing over the

baton of command to the newly

elected Chairperson of the African

Union, H.E Alpha Conde, President

of the Republic of Guinea who in his

acceptance speech said, “It is with

honor and humility that I accept to

preside at the destiny of our

Organisation during the year 2017

and I promise to ensure that we

implement all the objectives we have

set to achieve during this period with

the view to enhance the development

of our continent ”.

Meanwhile, outgoing Chair

President Deby wished a happy new

year 2017 to all the delegations and

invited guests while underscoring the

need to continuously preserve peace,

stability and prosperity in the

continent. He expressed his

appreciation to H.E Dr. Nkosazana

Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the

AU Commission and her team

including the Commissioners and

staff of the AUC, for the support given

to him during his mandate as Chair of

the Union. He commended the

Commission and the Government of

Ethiop ia for the success fu l

organisation of the 28th AU Summit.

On the other hand, President

Idriss Deby warmly welcomed the

newly elected Presidents of the

Gambia, Ghana, Sao-Tome and

Principe and Seychelles, who worn

through a democratically electoral

process organized in their respective

countries. He also warmly welcomed

H.E Mr. Mahamoud Abbas,

President of the State of Palestine

and the new UN Secretary General,

Mr. Antonio Guterres to Africa,

wishing him success in his new

functions and reiterates the support

of the African people to the UN given

that “Africa has found in Mr.

Guterres a sincere, committed and

sensible person who will stop at

nothing to address the issues

currently faced by the continent”.

Speaking at the opening

ceremony of the 28th Summit of the

African Union, Dr Nkosazana

Africa: Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in the Youth

REPORT


Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the

African Union Commission (AUC)

warmly welcome to the UN Secretary

on his first AU Summit in this

capacity. “We appreciate the

appointment of our sister Amina J.

Mohamed of Nigeria as Deputy

Secretary General of the UN, and

congratulate her on this new

responsibility”, underlined the AUC

Chairperson while extending a

special welcome to the members of

the Assembly whose mandates were

renewed and to the newly elected

Heads of State, since last Summit.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma recalled that

the year 2017 is heralded by some

important developments. She said

last year, Cuba, Africa and the world

bid farewell to the greatest

revolutionary and internationalist of

our time, Fidel Aleandro Castro Ruz.

“He played a critical role in the global

struggle against colonialism and

imperialism, and for non-alignment

and unity of the countries of the

South… His sustained contributions

to Africa are legendary: the support

to liberation movements, to newly-

i n d e p e n d e n t s t a t e s , i n t h e

development of African education

and health systems; the training of

health personnel, all in the spirit of

sol idarity, fr iendship, inter-

nationalism and mutual respect”.

The AUC Chairperson said “this

year marks a number of historical

milestones. Firstly, 2017 marks 55

years since the formation of the Pan

African Women's Organisation

(PAWO) in 1962, a year before the

OAU. The women came from newly

independent states and liberation

movements, determined to play their

role, side by side with the menfolk, in

liberating Africa. She added that “the

women's movement, as we celebrated

the OAU/AU Golden Jubilee in 2013,

recognized the role of the founder

mothers, when they declared:

“…African women and their

Diaspora sisters played a critical role

in the evolution of Pan Africanism,

through their contributions to the

contribute fully to the peace missions

in the continent.

H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas,

President of the State of Palestine

and Chairman o f Pa les t ine

Liberation Organization (PLO)

Executive Committee thanked the

African Union for the support to his

government's desire and efforts to

achieve a Palestinian state living

side by side with the state of Israel as

an independent state with distinct

borders. He expressed gratitude to

all countries of the UN Security

Council who voted for this resolution.

Addressing the Summit, Mr.

Salvador Valdez, Vice President of

the Republic of Cuba thanked the AU

and the African people for the

solidarity showed during the death of

the liberation leader, Fidel Castro.

Issues of peace and security

dominated many of the presentations

by the African and visiting Heads of

State and Government. Many of the

leaders condemned terrorism in very

strong terms. Various speakers at

the summit's opening ceremony

expressed their commitment to

mainstreaming youth's programs in

all socio- economic activities.

Present in today's event was H.E

Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy

Chairperson of the AUC, the

Commissioners, Heads of AU

Organs, representatives of the RECs

and staff of the Commission servicing

the Summit.

Source: African Union

anti-slavery, anti-colonial and

liberation struggles.

Through their efforts, women

ensured that African struggles for

freedom, dignity, development, peace

and s e l f -de t e rminat i on a l so

addressed our aspirations for

women's emancipation, gender

e q u a l i t y a n d w o m e n ' s

empowerment.”

Dr. Dlamini Zuma emphasized

that in tribute to the founding

mothers, it is therefore appropriate

that the Assembly recognizes PAWO

as a Specialized Agency of the African

Union. “The task of PAWO today is to

continue the struggle for the

empowerment of girls and women,

through education and skills, in the

political, social, cultural and

economic spheres. They must

continue to advocate and work for a

peaceful and safe Africa for all its

people…Without this mobilization of

women, progress on Agenda 2063 will

be slow... As we start this year of

youth, we must indeed commit to

value our youth and deserve Africa's

future,” noted AUC Chairperson.

The United Nations Secretary

General, H.E António Manuel de

Ol iveira Guterres , who was

addressing the AU Summit for the

first time as special guest also

expressed strong support for the AU's

annual theme: “Harnessing the

Demographic Dividend through

Investments in the Youth”. He

reiterated the will for the UN to

support by the African people and

Issues of peace and security dominated many

of the presentations by the African and

visiting Heads of State and Government.

Many of the leaders condemned terrorism

in very strong terms.

BILLS UPDATE

BILLS UPDATE (JANUARY, 2017) Compiled by CISLAC

S/N

BILL NO

BILL NAME

YEAR

STAGE

SPONSOR

1.

HB. 861

A Bill for an Act to amend the Court of Appeal Act, Cap. C26, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Establish a Labour Division of the Court to Hear Appeals from the National Industry Court and for Other Related Matters.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Lanre Tejuoso

2.

SB. 278

A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme Act CAP N42 LFN 2004 and to enact the National Health Insurance Commission for other matters connected therewith.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Umaru I. Kurfi

3.

SB. 152

A Bill for an Act to provide for a Legal Framework for the Cassava Inclusion Policy of the Federal Government to encourage Cassava Farming and for other matters connected therewith.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Rose Oko

4.

SB. 376

A Bill for an Act to make comprehensive provisions for the Confiscation, Forfeiture and Management of Properties derived from unlawful activities and for connected matters.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Mohammed Hassan

5.

SB. 261

A Bill for an Act provide for Secured Transactions, Registration and Regulation of Security Interest in Movable Assets and for related matters.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

6.

SB. 167

A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Fraud Examiners and for matters connected therewith.

2017

Second Reading

Sen. Foster Ogola

7.

HB. 289

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Related Matters.

2017

Second Reading

Hon. Jones Onyereri

8.

HB. 471

A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and for Other Related Matters.

2017

Second Reading

Hon. Munir Dan Agundi

9.

HB. 71

A Bill

for an Act to Establish the Federal Capital Territory HIV/AIDS Control Agency (FACA) and for Other Related Matters.

2017

Second Reading

Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta

10. HB. 208 A Bill for an Act to Amend the Treaty to Establish the African Union (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. T26, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by giving the Assembly the Power to Determine the Subjects or Areas on which the Pan-African Parliament may Propose Draft Model Laws and Other Related Matters.

2017 Second Reading

Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje

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