Nigerians and corporate organisations sponsoring the Private Members Bill through senators and representatives may soon have legal grounds upon which they can influence the passage of such Bills at the National Assembly.
A Bill aimed at legalising lobbying has been introduced into the House of Representatives. It is titled: “A Bill for An Act to provide for the Regulation and Registration of Lobbyists in Nigeria and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.” The bill is sponsored by Chukwudi Eze (PDP, Imo) and 37 others, but its critics say it will engender corruption.
According to the Bill, a copy of which was obtained by NEXT, lobbyists would be registered by the federal government before they can carry out their business at the federal legislature.
Section 1 of the Bill says: ‘A person may carry on business as a lobbyist in the National Assembly if he is (a) a member of a company duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to carry out the business as such (b) In addition to section 1 (a) above, the person shall register with the Federal Ministry of Justice to practice as a lobbyist in either the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or in both Houses.” The Bill requires any person intending to be a lobbyist to deposit some money, to be determined by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, subject to any regulation made by the President.
Upon receipt of the application and prescribed deposit, the Attorney General of the Federation, through a Director in his office to be called Registrar would be required to consider the suitability or otherwise of the applicant, subject to the provision of section 1 of the Bill.
However, it forbids lawmakers, staff of the National Assembly and diplomats from applying as lobbyists while still in office.
Section 11 says that “The Bill does not apply to any of the following person - when acting in their official capacity - * A member of the Senate or House of Representatives * A staff of the National Assembly,
* An employee of the Nigerian government or the Government of another state * Diplomatic agent, consular officers or representatives in Nigeria of a foreign government.
The US, UK Example
Lobbying in the United States targets the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and state legislatures.
There are also lobbyists in the 50 states’ legislatures. Lobbying began between 1869 and 1977 during President Ulysses Grant’s administration.
As at today, there are about 17,000 federal lobbyists in Washington, DC. The lobbyists are employed by lobbying and law firms; though some others are employed by trade associations, companies, state and local governments.
A day after he was inaugurated, US President, Barack Obama signed two executive orders and three presidential memoranda to help ensure that his administration was open, transparent and accountable.
Only seven months ago, a Recovery Act Lobbying Rules set new limits on special interest influence.
In the United Kingdom, the lobbying industry is growing, with about 14,000 people in the business. It was estimated to be worth £1.9 billion. Some members of parliament in that country are reportedly approached over 100 times a week by lobbyists.
Uneasy Critics
However, criticisms have trailed the plan to introduce lobbying as a legal business in Nigeria via the proposed bill. For the critics, the country is still plagued by corruption and secrecy and this, they say, will make lobbying unsuccessful.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) says before it is passed, all loop-holes must be plugged to prevent the art of lobbying from turning to conduits for bribery and corruption.
“We do not have anything per se over the enactment officially of lobbyists by the National Assembly. Lobbyists as official liaison to the parliament is acknowledged in all liberal democracy,” spokesperson of CNPP, Osita Okechukwu said.
“CNPP’s take on this is that the law should plug all loop-holes to prevent the Lobbyist from turning in as conduits for bribery and corruption. We hope they will conduct public hearings to let us into the details of the Bill.
“It will be counter-productive if deliberately the House plants a landmine in the name of lobbyists and this should be avoided. The House should keep its card open, as a lot of Nigerians have lost confidence in the National Assembly as a pro-people parliament that is genuinely committed to the defence of public interest.
“News of pork-barrel budget of billions expended for foreign travels by parliamentarians; for a country that has over 100 diplomatic missions is appalling,” he said. Also speaking, the coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Onwubiko said a bill to back lobbying is not the immediate need of Nigerians. For him, the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill should first be passed by the lawmakers.
“That bill to legalise lobbying at the National Assembly is not Nigeria’s immediate need. It is irrelevant and unhelpful. Key bills to promote openness and greater democracy, like FoI bill, ought to be given consideration first,” he said.
Source:234next.com
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