HOUSE KICKS AGAINST MONOPOLY IN BROADCASTING
Sitting of the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday, 21 October saw two
important and controversial Bills pass second reading. The first was a Bill which sought
to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and make provision for
opportunities of completion and participation in Nigeria and indeed the world market. The
sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, argued that foreign investors took
advantage of enabling laws in Nigeria to institute services in the industry that are
adversely affecting consumers in the country. She highlighted the benefits of enacting a
legislation that encourages local investors to have the right of way in the
sector.
Hon. Ahmed appealed to her colleagues to use the opportunity to ameliorate the sufferings of the people and to follow the steps of countries like Kenya and India that have since removed all sorts of imperialist practices and made the communication sector more expanded and efficient. She urged the House to allow her Bill, which she described as an “anti-monopoly Billâ€, pass for second reading. Some of the members who spoke in support of the Bill include Honourables Leo Ogor, Tobi Okechuckwu, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Samson Osage. Consequently, the Bill was read the second time and referred to the Committee on Information and National Orientation for further legislative input.
The second Bill that also scaled second reading was a Bill which sought to improve on the welfare of traffic wardens by establishing the ‘Traffic Wardens Service’ that gives more opportunity for persons in this profession to attain the peak of their career. The Bill was sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene who was concerned that though the work of the traffic wardens in Nigeria is very tedious and risky, yet it leaves them with no prospect. He argued that if a traffic warden is indeed equal to a police officer, why are they not allowed to enjoy all the entitlements that the police enjoy?
Hon. Ogene was worried that the 1975 decree that created the Traffic Wardens has become obsolete and no longer serve in the best interest of the over 3500 personnel who are now in the profession. He said the thrust of his Bill is for the House to repeal the Traffic Wardens Act, 1975 and provide for the establishment of the Traffic Wardens Service and for other matters connected therewith.
Meanwhile, the report of the House Committees on Finance and Loans and Aid has been laid before the House for consideration. The laying of the report was deferred twice by the Chairmen of the Committees. It was laid on the floor of the House by a member of the Committee following the absence of the two Chairmen.
Hon. Ahmed appealed to her colleagues to use the opportunity to ameliorate the sufferings of the people and to follow the steps of countries like Kenya and India that have since removed all sorts of imperialist practices and made the communication sector more expanded and efficient. She urged the House to allow her Bill, which she described as an “anti-monopoly Billâ€, pass for second reading. Some of the members who spoke in support of the Bill include Honourables Leo Ogor, Tobi Okechuckwu, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Samson Osage. Consequently, the Bill was read the second time and referred to the Committee on Information and National Orientation for further legislative input.
The second Bill that also scaled second reading was a Bill which sought to improve on the welfare of traffic wardens by establishing the ‘Traffic Wardens Service’ that gives more opportunity for persons in this profession to attain the peak of their career. The Bill was sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene who was concerned that though the work of the traffic wardens in Nigeria is very tedious and risky, yet it leaves them with no prospect. He argued that if a traffic warden is indeed equal to a police officer, why are they not allowed to enjoy all the entitlements that the police enjoy?
Hon. Ogene was worried that the 1975 decree that created the Traffic Wardens has become obsolete and no longer serve in the best interest of the over 3500 personnel who are now in the profession. He said the thrust of his Bill is for the House to repeal the Traffic Wardens Act, 1975 and provide for the establishment of the Traffic Wardens Service and for other matters connected therewith.
Meanwhile, the report of the House Committees on Finance and Loans and Aid has been laid before the House for consideration. The laying of the report was deferred twice by the Chairmen of the Committees. It was laid on the floor of the House by a member of the Committee following the absence of the two Chairmen.