Nigerian Governors have called for the suspension of the controversial Infectious Disease Control Bill 2020 sponsored by the House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
A statement issued at the end of the Covid-19 Teleconference of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum raised concerns on the lack of consultations with state executives who are at the forefront of the epidemic.
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It therefore called for appropriate consultative process including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.
Apart from raising a committee comprising of the Governors of Katsina, Sokoto and Plateau, that will consult with the leadership of the National Assembly, the NGF Secretariat was also mandated to review the bill and its implications on states.
The Governors also raised concerns over the continuous rise in the number of Covid-19 patients in the country. They therefore called for strict enforcement of the ban against interstate movement and the increase of bed spaces to at least 300 per state at the treatment centres.
The Governors also expressed disappointment at the rising trend of deductions from revenue accruable to the Federation Account and proceeds of recovered looted funds available for distribution to the tiers of government.
It agreed to engage with the Federal Government to ensure that it recognises State Governments as shareholders in the distribution of proceeds.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
