Alarm: NASS tinkers on another bill to regulate NGOs via donor – ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NN-NGOs) has raised an alarm over the plan to re-introduce the NGO and civil society bill through the backdoor by the National Assembly, reports ITREALMS.

According to the NN-NGOs alert available to ITREALMS, the national assembly through the House of Representatives is leading on this charge through a bill seeking to establish an Act for “Donor Agencies Regulatory Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1568).”

This bill, NN-NGOs informed, is led by Rep. Unyim Idem reportedly surfaced on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, for a purported second reading.

Rep. Idem is a member Federal House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State and represents Oruk Anam / Ukanafun Federal constituency under the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

In moving for the second reading of the Bill seconded by Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso, Rep. Idem said that the Bill seeks to establish the regulatory commission to strengthen donor agencies and their capacity to effect positive change.

He commended donor agencies who have continued to aid Nigerians in such important sectors as healthcare delivery and poverty alleviation, but stressed the need to account for the finances coming into the country and how they are expended by receiving agencies and bodies.

Rep. Idem also called for members to support the establishment of the donor agencies regulation commission to track the application of such funds.

Among others, Rep. Chinyere Igwe who spoke bemoaned the bill, stated that the Bill is against the natural rights of Civil Society Organizations and should not be supported by Honorable members.

ITREALMS reliably gathered that this bill seeking to establish an 'Act on Donor Agencies Regulatory Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1568),' equally got support from the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Rep. Ahmed Idris at the floor of the House for the second reading.

The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Civil Society and Development Partners.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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