Oronsaye report: Senate asks FG to suspend scrapping of video censors board

The senate has asked George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), and Hannatu Musa-Musawa, minister of arts and culture, to suspend the scrapping of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

The upper legislative chamber said if there is a need to scrap any government agency, a bill should first be sent by the executive.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Mohammed Ogoshi, senator representing Nasarawa south, on Tuesday.

The President Bola Tinubu administration had said it would merge and scrap some agencies in line with recommendations made by the Oronsaye report.

The report suggested that 263 of the statutory agencies be cut to 161, 38 agencies be scrapped, 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries.

Moving his motion, Ogoshi said he is aware of a memo which showed that the minister has already begun the dissolution of the NFVCB.

“The directive violates the National Film and Video Censors Board Act Cap No.40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended),” the senator said.

“The process of winding down an agency of government which came into force through an Act of parliament should first commence by the repeal of the Act establishing the said agency.

“The Oronsaye report is a committee report that should not override an Act of parliament.

“This abuse of rule of law if it goes unchecked would become a bad precedent going forward.

“There is, therefore, the need to promptly check this illegality by insisting that the right procedures for winding down a statutory agency like NFVCB be followed.”

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.