House of Reps Clarifies Stance on NGO Regulation Bill: No War Against CSOs

The House of Representatives has clarified its stance on the proposed Bill to regulate the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the House Committee on CSOs and Development Matters, Rep. Victor Obuzor, emphasized that the House is not at war with these organizations, but rather, it aims to work in collaboration with them for nation-building.

The Bill, which recently came up for first reading, was stepped down by the Speaker to allow for further consultation with stakeholders.

Rep. Obuzor explained that the House recognizes the important role that NGOs and CSOs play in the development of the country and is not seeking to hinder their activities.

Instead, the Bill seeks to fine-tune existing regulations to ensure that they are implemented effectively and to address any shortcomings.

The House has passed several bills aimed at operationalizing and strengthening the work of CSOs, including the Humanitarian Law and the Persons with Disabilities Act.

However, the lack of implementation of these laws has been a concern. By consolidating these bills and making necessary amendments, the House hopes to create a more robust framework for the operation of NGOs and CSOs.

While acknowledging that there are some bad actors among the good, Rep. Obuzor stressed the need for some form of regulation to ensure that only genuine organizations are allowed to operate.

He urged both the House and the CSOs to be more patriotic, accountable, and transparent in their efforts to build the nation.

Moving forward, the House of Representatives and the CSOs will engage in further discussions to address any concerns and to chart a way forward that will benefit the country as a whole.

By working together, they can ensure that the regulatory framework is fair, effective, and conducive to the development of Nigeria.