Federal Character Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

LONG TITLE

A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION ACT, CAP. F7 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004 TO PROVIDE FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE FOR RECRUITMENT IN ORDER TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Bill seeks to amend the Federal Character Commission Act Cap. F7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for a more comprehensive guideline and procedure for recruitment in order to ensure transparency.

Sponsored by Hon. Akpatason Ohiozojeh Peter

It’s right about time to evaluate the successes, challenges and modalities of the Federal Character Commission. There are obviously no MDAs that can boast of transparency in their recruitment process; such processes are always marred by lopsidedness, nepotism, favoritism; these are factors largely driven by the politics of State of Origin/geopolitical zone. Data from the Sessional Report Of Activities Of The Senate Committee On Federal Character And Inter-Governmental Affairs (June, 2011 – June 2015) shows  that majority of Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Department, Agencies  are guilty of recruitment racketeering and non-compliance with the Federal Character Principles as enshrined in Section 14(3)(4) of the 1999 Constitution has amended. 

As a regulatory Commission;

What is the penalty for non-compliance with the provisions of Section 14(3)(4) of the 1999 Constitution has amended?

What disciplinary actions have been meted out to erring MDAs in time past?

Following the recommendations of the 7^th Assembly Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, what mechanisms have been put in place to check the issue of non-compliance?

I support this Bill, do you?