Nigeria lawmakers |
The bill, which seeks to regulate Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations at the House of Representatives, the house is determined to ensure the bill is passed into law despite the opposition to the piece of legislation by some persons and groups.
The bill, which is sponsored by the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Buba Jibril, seeks to regulate NGOs, including making provisions for their registration, funding and the use of foreign consultants by certain aid donors and organisations providing humanitarian services in the country.
The proposed legislation has since passed second reading and it is due for a public hearing.
However, it generated controversies after some Nigerians, including a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, opposed it on the grounds that its aim was to muzzle NGOs and CSOs.
But, the Chairman, House Committee on Civil Societies and Development Partners, Mr. Peter Akpatason, said in Abuja on Monday that the House would follow the bill through like any other piece of legislation.
Akpatason, whose committee is to conduct the public hearing on the bill, denied that the bill was controversial.
Rather, he stated that a few individuals, who were pursuing personal interests, “deliberately tried to pass the wrong information to Nigerians about the bill.”
He explained, “The campaign, it’s all lies. They also tried to whip up religious sentiments by talking about churches and mosques.
“It’s part of the lies because the bill clearly states that religious bodies are excluded.
“The talk about Esusu is also another big lie.”
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