A bill for an act to amend the Federal Character Commission Act has passed second reading at the House of Representatives session.
The Bill sponsored by Unyime Idem is to amend the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make provisions for the appointment of the Chairman and Secretary from different regions, to reflect the principles of Federal Character.
Leading the debate on the general principles of a Bill for An Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission, Idem said that “the Bill seeks among other things to put in place a Legal framework and guide for the Presidential appointment of the two key positions of the Commission to be from the two regions of the Country.”
“The Commission is primarily established with fundamental responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government. The Act makes distinct provisions for the Presidential appointment of the Chairman of the Commission in Section 2 (2) of the Act and another crucial appointment by the President for the position of the Secretary in Section 9 (1) (b) of the Act,” he said.
This Bill seeks to amend the provision of the Act to reinstate the position that the two critical positions to be appointed by the Nigerian be expressly and mandatorily from each region of the Country for the effective running and administration of the objectives of setting up of the Commission.
Idem said that the Bill has an amendment of a Section of about two subsections which are vital and significant to the management and effective administration of the objectives of the Commission and equitable distribution of the key positions in the Commission
” Section 9 Subsection (1) of the Principal Act is amended by adding paragraph (c) to the provisions therein as a new paragraph under subsection (1) to read as follows: –
“9 (1) (c). The President shall put into consideration in the appointment of the Secretary that the positions of the Secretary and the Chairman appointed for the Commission shall not be from the same region of the Country in compliance with the principles of Federal Character,” he explained.
The lawmaker noted that all the above amendments were imputed to strengthen the administration, organisation and management of the Commission in line with best practices and global standards.
Idem said; “Mr Speaker and my distinguished Colleagues, Nigeria is a vast and diverse nation to which there should be equal representation of all the regions. The Commission shoulders a huge responsibility of handling a high volume of representation that requires the trust and confidence of the whole country. Having a regional representation would make the Commission equitable and efficient, thereby having a ripple effect on the developmental system of the country. The enactment of the bill into law will have no direct cost implication on the Public Funds and will produce general benefit for the Country.”
He also appealed for support that the Bill be read for the second time and referred to the relevant Committee for further legislative action which was granted by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
