The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the National Assembly to fully domesticate the Pending Global and Regional Anti-Corruption Instruments to ensure more coordination and result-oriented approach in anti-corruption fight.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) in a press statement issued in Abuja called NASS to amend the Electoral Reforms Act to promote credibility and transparency in the electoral process.
In reflection of the Agenda, the Executive Director said they are not unaware of commendable initiatives in legislative activities like the recent return of budget cycle to January-December to ensure timely release of funds and cash-backing for the development of the ailing critical sector;
He said the Finance Bill, 2019 (now Finance Act) assented by President Muhammadu Buhari, to support the implementation of the 2020 National Budget and to create an enabling environment for businesses.
According to him, Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act Amendment Bill (the Act) to ensure that the Production Sharing Contracts is economically beneficial to the government of the federation; and enhanced open-door policy for Civil Society legislative engagement.
Expedite urgent action on Constitutional Amendment to resolve certain fundamental issues;
He said there is also the need to Revisit Asset Recovery and Proceed on Crime Bills to provide a legal and institution frameworks for confiscation, seizure and recovery and management of assets or proceeds derived from unlawful activities.
“We want a review and revisit Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill (PIGB) to promote transparency, accountability and governance, as well as curtail monumental financial losses in our nation’s oil and gas sector;
“Provide a legislative backing to the Beneficial Ownership Register on Petroleum sector recently released by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) with an extension to other sectors of the economy to ensure sustainability and avert policy summersault.
“Consider introduction of a legislation to provide a legal backing to the establishment of special courts or strengthen existing courts to expedite justice in corruption through legislative amendments.
“Provide legislative backing to ensure compliance to various legislative frameworks in the country including Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, Public Procurement Act, National Health Act, and NEITI Remediation.
