Reps trade words over FOI bill

By Tordue Salem

ABUJA – The Freedom of Information Bill has pitted its sponsor, Rep. Abike Dabiri of the Action Congress of Nigeria, representing Ikorodu, Lagos  against her colleague, Rep. Wole Diya also of the same party but representing Shomolu, Lagos.  Diya accused  Dabiri of not doing enough to push the piece of legislation, still lying on the floor of parliament after seven years.

Mrs. Dabiri in  her response said the comment attributed to Mr. Diya, to the effect that inadequate lobbying of members of the National Assembly by her to pass the Bill, is ignorant of legislative process.

“It is not good enough to present a private bill before the House and expect it to sail through with ease. You have to lobby all the members, particularly the opposition.”

“I am in strong support of the FoI Bill but what can I do alone in the House that has hundreds of members?”  Diya told reporters in Lagos.  Diya, represents Somolu federal constituency of Lagos.

But Mrs. Dabiri in her reaction, said ” I am very disappointed that after three years in the Assembly, a colleague from Lagos will display this high level of ignorance on the FOI bill.

“What does he know about lobbying? , what else does he want me to do on the bill? He should tell Nigerians, what lobbying means?’’, she queried.

The Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, however explained that the problem with the bill is that members, most of whom are barely three years in office,  might need time to study it, before passage.

She said all the progressive-minded lawmakers at the National Assembly, would  do everything possible and necessary,  to  pass the bill and other people-oriented pieces of legislation awaiting passage in the House.