Nigeria: Control of Infectious Diseases Bill – Civil society recommends guidelines for public hearing

Statement by Civil Society Organizations on the House of Representatives decision to Conduct Public Hearing for the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill

The Nigeria Civil Society community commends the decision of the House of Representatives to subject the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill to a public hearing in furtherance of the right of citizens to contribute to law making. Harnessing the inputs of critical stakeholders and the Nigerian people, for whom the bill is proposed, gives it the necessary legitimacy.

The decision, as announced by the Honorable Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is also one of the sponsors of the Bill, is an acknowledgment of the sincere concerns generated by the Bill. Soliciting public inputs therefore responds to the demands to subject the Bill to public scrutiny given its sensitivity and impact on constitutionally guaranteed rights, rule of law, institutional interdependence and national security. Public scrutiny can only be achieved through broad based engagements during public hearings and stakeholder consultations.

The CSO community notes that the purpose of a public hearing is to ensure that there is a free exchange of ideas and opinions, effective information dissemination, and consideration of expert opinions in the process of lawmaking for a more effective, responsive, and robust legislation. However, the CSO community acknowledges the imperative of strict adherence to the guidelines on physical distancing and other preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Enforcing these guidelines therefore requires a review of the format for the public hearing and all other forms of citizen engagement to enrich the Bill. It is pertinent to implore that the review of legislative process formats must adhere to the principles of transparency, accessibility, inclusivity and clarity to ensure the robust public participation of citizens.

Hence, as the House of Representatives considers new modalities for the public hearing on the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, we make the following recommendations to promote public participation:

  1. Provide information on the committee responsible for the coordination of public hearing: The House of Representatives should provide clarity on the committee(s) entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the public hearing to ensure effective engagement with citizens and stakeholders. This includes the composition of the committee including the gender and geo-political zone spread and the terms of reference of the committee.
  1. Communicate a practical schedule for public engagement on the Bill: The House of Reps should generate and share a schedule and guidelines for public engagement on the Bill. This is to ensure that the public hearing and stakeholder consultations are held within a reasonable time frame. The timetable and guidelines should highlight the mode, structure, time, and levels of engagement to ensure effective participation of citizens and stakeholders. The Committee responsible for organizing these activities should conduct citizen outreach and share this information widely with the public through diverse media platforms. This is critical to ensure broad awareness and participation and enhance legislative transparency.
  1. Host a virtual and physical public hearing: The House of Reps should amend its standing rules on the procedure for lawmaking to integrate the newly proposed procedures as suggested by the Honourable Speaker. This includes integrating virtual public hearings on secured videoconferencing platforms to promote public participation. The secured videoconferencing platform selected should be published with a list of, participating organizations on the dates of the scheduled E-Public Hearing. In order to ensure massive participation, the Hearing should be scheduled to hold between 2 or 3 days with representatives of organizations given 5-10 minutes for their presentations/submissions. Alternatively, the House can host a televised physical public hearing with strict adherence to physical distancing guidelines. In hosting a physical public hearing, the House should ensure adequate notice is provided and the event venue is accessible to all invited stakeholders from diverse constituencies; including faith and culture representatives as well as women, youth, and persons living with disabilities.
  1. Multi-layered stakeholder consultations: In addition to the public hearing, the House of Representatives should strive to host virtual and limited physical consultative meetings with a diverse range of stakeholders. These must as a matter of due diligence include consultative meetings with federal and state Ministries of Health, the NCDC, medical professionals, labor unions, security and law enforcement agencies like the police, health organizations, civil society groups, the media and development partners. This is to provide opportunity for a thorough consideration of all the concerns raised by Nigerians and related policy and operations institutions. In strict adherence to physical distancing guidelines, the House is advised to adopt a timebound multi-layered approach by engaging specific stakeholders on different days to minimize the risks of large physical congregations; to facilitate a good management and compliance with hygiene and safety guidelines.
  1. Intensify publicity on the Bill: The House of Representatives should as a matter of urgency partner with civil society groups and the media to enlighten Nigerians on the provisions of the Bill. The justification and benefits of the Bill need to reach the last mile of the social strata given its scope and impact at individual collective levels. Apprehensions of risk to human rights and liberties can be raised and cleared to promote acceptance and endorsement of the Bill.

Considering the sensitivity of the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, we cannot afford a rushed or haphazard process. It is important that the National Assembly prioritize and invest in building public trust and confidence to limit the spread of disinformation or misinformation on the Bill. The legislature remains the legitimate core of democracy and must therefore represent the voices of WE the people. The Control of Infectious Diseases Bill must be comprehensive, futuristic in nature, and in conformity with; the Constitution, Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, and democratic principles. Any legislative process that does not guarantee the active and free participation of the people fails in its purpose and will not be accepted.

Signed:

  1. Yiaga Africa
  2. Girl Child Africa
  3. Center for Liberty
  4. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
  5. Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
  6. Say No Campaign
  7. Amnesty International
  8. EiE Nigeria
  9. Human and Environmental Development Agenda
  10. International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos, Nigeria
  11. African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
  12. Community Life Project (CLP)
  13. ActionAid Nigeria
  14. CLEEN Foundation
  15. Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
  16. Nigerian Women Trust Fund
  17. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
  18. Rule of Law and Accountability (RULAAC)
  19. Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON)
  20. Education as a Vaccine (EVA)
  21. Alliances for Africa
  22. Lex Community NG
  23. Global Rights
  24. Concerned Nigerians
  25. TechHer NG
  26. SilverchipFox
  27. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
  28. Adopt A Goal
  29. Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution
  30. The Art and Civic Table
  31. Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter
  32. FEMBUD
  33. Amazing Grace Inspirations
  34. Raising New Voices Initiative
  35. Asabe Shehu Yar’Aduwa Foundation (ASYARFS)
  36. Sesor Empowerment Foundation
  37. Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development.
  38. HEIR Women Development
  39. Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
  40. Fida Nigeria
  41. Women Law and Development Initiative (WoLDI)
  42. Working Moms Africa
  43. FACICP Disability Plus
  44. WILPF Nigeria
  45. Onomese Foundation
  46. Vision Spring Initiative
  47. She Forum Africa
  48. Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
  49. Country Associates Network
  50. Widows Development Organization
  51. Ovie Brume Foundation
  52. First Future Leadership
  53. Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development
  54. Women Youths and Children Advancement Program (WOYCAP)
  55. Dinidari Foundation
  56. Centre for Impact Advocacy
  57. Women Foundation of Nigeria
  58. Safe Circle Foundation
  59. Ade Grange Child Foundation
  60. Gender Equality Peace and Development Centre
  61. Change Managers International Network
  62. CACOBAG
  63. Public Interest Coalition
  64. Institute for Media and Society (IMS)
  65. Accountability Lab
  66. FAME Foundation
  67. Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria
  68. Haly Hope Foundation
  69. Partnership to Inspire, Transform and Connect the HIV response (PITCH) Nigeria
  70. Interactive Initiative for Social Impact
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