Rep: We need to regulate NGOs… the bill won’t affect churches, mosques, esusu

Umar Jibril, deputy majority leader of the house of representatives, says the non-governmental organisation (NGO) regulation bill is in the interest of Nigerians.

On Thursday, Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), launched a campaign against the bill about to be considered and passed by the national assembly.

In a five-minute video, Odinkalu said the proposed law would affect religious bodies, humanitarian agencies and even the esusu system in the village.

But in a statement on Friday, Jibril who is the sponsor of the bill, said the legislation is aimed at ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the way and manner NGOs collect funds.

The lawmaker said the proposed law seeks to ensure that funds collected by these organisations are used for Nigerians.

“Religious bodies and organisations are not NGOs. Our quasi-financial institutions at local levels are not NGOs! These organisations have existed for centuries to serve businesses and commerce of our market women and traders,” he said.

“However, recent developments have shown that some people registered NGOs, solicited for funds and disappeared. That happened recently in the north-east. Some NGOs are used to fund the activities of terrorist and insurgents.

“The NGO bill, therefore, is primarily to set up a commission to regulate their activities and provide a platform for robust relationships between them and the government for the interests of Nigerians.

“In addition, it is to ensure transparency and accountability in the ways and manners the NGOs collect monies and use them for Nigerians. Finally, the way the NGOs are reacting to this wonderful and well-packaged bill, particularly SERAP is not only shameful but condemnable.

“The Nigerian parliament is an institution governed by rules and traditions. When a bill is for public hearing you go there and present your views like other interested Nigerians and invited corporate bodies and government agencies for the standing committee to do justice to the bill. Period.

“Going on cheap propaganda and blackmail and even calling on world bodies including the United Nation to help you withdraw a bill from our national assembly will not help you.”