ICYMI: Reps agree to subject diseases control bill to public hearing

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says the infectious diseases control bill will be subjected to public hearing.

The speaker said the bill, which has been a subject of controversy, will reflect the opinions and wishes of Nigerians before it is passed.

The green chamber introduced the bill last Tuesday and passed it for second reading, even with most lawmakers not having a copy of it to know the contents.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the quarantine act of 1926 and provide new regulations that would help the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) manage situations like the coronavirus pandemic.

TheCable had reported on its provisions including compulsory vaccination for every child in Nigeria, issues of human rights concern such as arbitrary arrests, and unchecked powers for the director-general of the NCDC.

Speaking at Tuesday’s plenary session, Gbajabiamila said the house has taken note of the dissenting views on the bill all of which will be considered before its passage.

“The Control of Infectious Diseases Bill will be put forward to a public hearing where stakeholder contributions will be sought to make improvements to the Bill before it is reviewed and debated by the Committee of the whole,” he said.

“It is from the accumulation of these myriad views, suggestions and good faith critiques from within and outside the House that we will arrive at final legislation that meets the present and future needs of our country, and which we all can support in good conscience.”

The speaker added though the social distancing guidelines will not allow for the usual format of public hearings, “if a socially distant public hearing becomes workable, we will certainly explore that option”.

“Nonetheless, the House will provide alternative platforms for all Nigerians who desire to send in written documents that articulate their concerns, make recommendations on amendments and perhaps present other formulations for a new framework for managing infectious diseases in Nigeria,” he said.

“All the contributions we receive will be considered and aggregated to improve the proposed legislation.”