The Home of Representatives has handed by means of second studying, a Invoice for an Act to offer for the rights of Nigerian residents dwelling outdoors the nation to vote in sure elections performed at dwelling.
The proposed laws is being sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, each from Kaduna State.
Main the talk on the final ideas of the Invoice on Diaspora Voting on behalf of the Speaker on Tuesday, Hon. Abdullahi argued that Part 39 of the 1999 Structure (as amended) grants residents the elemental proper of freedom of expression and opinion.
“All residents due to this fact no matter their location wherever within the globe ought to be provided that proper and freedom to specific themselves in our nation’s basic election,” he stated.
The Speaker argued that since Nigerians overseas meet their monetary obligations to the nation by means of remittances, it was truthful and correct that they’re given the fitting to hold out their civic duty of expressing their management preferences throughout elections.
“It’s extensively believed that diaspora remittances have contributed remarkably to the event of Nigeria. Nigerians in diaspora make appreciable contribution to the Nigerian economic system by means of big monetary influx to the nation. Sadly, present legal guidelines in Nigeria haven’t made any provision granting voting rights to Nigerians in diaspora.
“Consequently, the agitation for voting rights for Nigerian in diaspora has continued to realize momentum. It’s a apply that enables for holistic inclusiveness in a democratic society,” he stated.
Explaining additional, the Speaker stated: “Part 1 of the invoice ensures the voting rights of Nigerian residents dwelling outdoors Nigeria. The part offers that elections to be performed below this Act if handed shall embrace elections which the Fee is empowered by regulation.
“Part 4 offers that this Act if handed shall not invalidate present legal guidelines in Nigeria. It solely offers a platform for Nigerians in diaspora to take part in elections performed in Nigeria.”
He added that the advantage of such a Invoice, if handed into regulation, shall be that it permits Nigerians of their respective international locations of residence to vote in Nigeria’s basic election with out the rigours and logistic challenges of travelling to Nigeria to train their voting rights, amongst others.
Additionally, the Home handed by means of second studying, a Invoice searching for safety for presidency entities from failure by contractors to ship a contract inside a focused interval, equally sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Hon. Marcus Onobun.
Main the talk on the final ideas of the Invoice, Hon. Onobun, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, stated the draft laws would supply higher safety for procuring authorities entities, who usually discover themselves on the receiving finish at any time when contractors fail to ship on their contractual agreements.
He famous that: “A neighborhood studying of the goals, powers, and capabilities of the Bureau of Public Procurement below the Act establishes the truth that the intendment of the Act is to guard the curiosity of stakeholders, notably the procuring entity, and the contractors within the procurement course of to make sure transparency, timeous and high quality supply of products and providers amongst others.”
Onobun, nonetheless, noticed that; “the hole within the Act, which the Invoice, if handed, seeks to treatment is contained in Part 37 of the Act because the part appears to make provisions for the safety of contractors within the occasion of delay of fee to the contractors with none requisite provisions for the safety of the procuring entity within the occasion {that a} contractor fails to ship a contract inside the focused interval.
“For ease of reference, the prevailing part 37 offers as follows: “S.37 (1) Cost for the procurement of products, works, and providers shall be settled promptly and diligently.
“(2)Any fee because of greater than sixty days from the date Of the submission of the bill, valuation certificates or affirmation or authentication by the Ministry, Further-Ministerial Workplace, authorities company, parastatal or company shall be deemed a delayed fee.
“(3) All delayed funds shall appeal to curiosity on the charge specified within the contract doc. (4)All contracts shall embrace phrases, specifying the curiosity for late fee of greater than sixty days.
“It’s clear from the above that there needs to be a contract doc that should make provisions for fee of specified curiosity to contractors within the occasion their fee is delayed.”
