The HEDA Resource Centre in partnership with the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has conducted a 2-day capacity-building workshop and review of the status pending anti-corruption bills before the National Assembly.

The meeting which held on August 1st and 2nd, 2018, was declared opened by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Lasun at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja. The event was attended by AFRICMIL, and other civil society organisations, in addition to lawmakers and representatives from government institutions.

The meeting reviewed the status of pending anti-corruption bills before the National Assembly for passage before the end of the 8th Assembly.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, participants called for increased involvement of the general public, professional bodies and experts in debates and contribution of ideas in bills drafting before, during, and after executive assent.

The meeting also urged the executive arm of government to always ensure that policies of government are backed up with enabling legislation.

Parliamentarians were also called on to attach greater commitment and work to ensure that all identified anti-corruption bills yet to be passed by the National Assembly are concluded and done with, within the life-span of the 8th Assembly.

The meeting emphasised the need for synergy and collaborative efforts necessary to fast track the passage of pending anti-corruption bills, stakeholders (Ministry of Justice, HEDA and House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes) to establish a joint secretariat for synergy and collaboration immediately to help in providing necessary support for easy passage of the pending bills before the end of the 8th Assembly.

“Federal Ministry of Justice should coordinate and facilitate the effective consultation of implementing agencies in the process of initiating and legislating anti-corruption laws for the country; call for synergy which will define a far-reaching cooperation among government agencies fighting corruption.

“The National Assembly and Executive arm to immediately commence the process of enacting legislation to protect human rights and anti-corruption crusaders in the country.”