TheCable

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has asked the house of representatives to hold an “electronic public hearing” on the infectious diseases bill.

The coalition made up of 65 CSOs says the proposed method would ensure massive participation and would be a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

The bill prescribes, among other provisions, compulsory vaccination of citizens against infectious diseases.

But this is not sitting well with some citizens who have described it as “draconian”.

In a statement on Thursday, the CSOs said the decision of the house to subject the bill to a public hearing is an acknowledgment of the “sincere concerns” generated by the proposed legislation, adding that they cannot afford a haphazard process.

“The House of Reps should amend its standing rules on the procedure for lawmaking to integrate the newly proposed procedures as suggested by the Honourable Speaker,” they said.

“The secured video-conferencing platform selected should be published with a list of participating organizations on the dates of the scheduled E-Public Hearing.

“In order to ensure massive participation, the Hearing should be scheduled to hold between 2 or 3 days with representatives of organizations given 5-10 minutes for their presentations/submissions. Alternatively, the House can host a televised physical public hearing with strict adherence to physical distancing guidelines.”

The CSOs also said the lawmakers should hold consultative meetings with all the concerned stakeholders.

“This is to provide opportunity for a thorough consideration of all the concerns raised by Nigerians and related policy and operations institutions,” they said.

Here is a list of CSOs that signed the statement;

• Yiaga Africa
• Girl Child Africa
• Center for Liberty
• Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
• Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
• Say No Campaign
• Amnesty International
• EiE Nigeria
• Human and Environmental Development Agenda
• International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos, Nigeria
• African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
• Community Life Project (CLP)
• ActionAid Nigeria
• CLEEN Foundation
• Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection
• Alternative (WRAPA)
• Nigerian Women Trust Fund
• Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
• Rule of Law and Accountability (RULAAC)
• Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON)
• Education as a Vaccine (EVA)
• Alliances for Africa
• Lex Community NG
• Global Rights
• Concerned Nigerians
• TechHer NG
• SilverchipFox
• Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
• Adopt A Goal
• Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution
• The Art and Civic Table
• Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter
  FEMBUD
• Amazing Grace Inspirations
• Raising New Voices Initiative
• Asabe Shehu Yar’Aduwa Foundation (ASYARFS)
• Sesor Empowerment Foundation
• Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development
• HEIR Women Development
• Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
• Fida Nigeria
• Women Law and Development Initiative (WoLDI)
• Working Moms Africa
• FACICP Disability Plus
• WILPF Nigeria
• Onomese foundation
• Vision Spring Initiative
• She Forum Africa
• Centre for womens health and information (CEWHIN)
• Country Associates Network
• Widows Development Organization
• Ovie Brume Foundation
• First Future Leadership
• Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development
• Women Youths and Children Advancement Program (WOYCAP)
• Dinidari Foundation
• Centre for Impact Advocacy
• Women Foundation of Nigeria
• Safe Circle Foundation
• Ade Grange Child Foundation
• Gender Equality Peace and Development Centre
• Change Managers International Network
• CACOBAG
• Public Interest Coalition
• Institute for Media and Society (IMS)
• Accountability Lab