The Senate, on Wednesday, passed the Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill, 2021.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Joint Committees on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes; and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari (Kaduna North), in his presentation, said the Public Interest Disclosure also know as the Whistle Blower, is a critical component in the anti-corruption war that needs a streamlined framework for its implementation.
According to the lawmaker, the Public Interest Disclosure bill seeks to strengthen the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and to provide a legal and institutional framework for the regulation and management of Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of the Discloser.
He said upon becoming law, it would encourage and facilitate disclosure of wrongful or unlawful activities which, directly or indirectly impact the administration and management of Public Office or Authority.
Kwari explained that the bill established an appropriate framework for rewarding and protecting persons making Public Interest Disclosures and the protection of their rights.
Read Also: Fuel scarcity: Aso Rock alleges plot by PDP to trigger chaos
He added that the bill also harmonises all existing policies and legal framework on public interest disclosures, as well as penalises wrongful disclosures.
Meanwhile, a bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Council on Economic Diversification has scaled second reading in the Senate.
The piece of legislation entitled: “Nigerian Economic Diversification Bill, 2022”, was sponsored by the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North).
Also passed for second reading is a bill to establish the National Tax Crimes Commission, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).
Leading the debate on the general principles of the Nigerian Economic Diversification Bill, Senator Sabi Abdullahi stated that Nigeria’s economic fortunes are tied to oil, which accounts for more than half of the country’s revenue.
According to him, Nigeria’s crude oil proceeds fell by 41.60 percent in the first quarter of 2021 to $6.48 billion from $11.1 billion in the first quarter of 2020.
He explained that, “despite various loans, reforms and policies, millions of Nigerians continue to remain impoverished.”
“Diversification helps to mitigate volatility and provides a more sustainable path for equitable growth and development.
“It is even more crucial now, given the slower global economy and the pressing need in many developing nations to boost revenue”, he said.
Abdullahi explained further that the bill makes for inter-sector synergies among the key sectors of the economy, as well as the creation of a Council to ensure strict implementation of the provisions of the bill when enacted into law.
He said the Board of Council sought to be created would be headed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He added that Ministers of key sector like solid minerals, trade and investment, agriculture, health, finance, communication and digital economy, science and technology, Governor of the Central Bank, and key stakeholders in the private sector, among others, would be members to ensure that high level policy decisions are not only taken but implemented.
The lawmaker, who underscored the need for the development of capacities, said directorates would also be established with headquarters sites in various states where the activities of a sector are predominant.
The bill after consideration was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs for further work.
The Committee was given four weeks to report back to the Senate.
In a related development, the bill to establish the National Tax Crimes Commission scaled second reading on Wednesday.
Sponsor of the bill, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said the bill seeks to provide the legal framework to ensure that violations of tax laws are included as criminal offences, and effective sanctions apply in practice.
The bill after consideration was referred by the Senate President to the Committee on Finance to also report back in four weeks.
Meanwhile, a third bill for an Act to provide the legal framework to establish the Federal Medical Centre Osogbo, Osun State, also passed second reading during plenary.
The bill sponsored by Senator Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central) was referred to the Committee on Health (Secondary and Primary).
The Committee was given four weeks to turn in its report to the chamber in plenary.
