Honorable Umar Buba Jibril, deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives, has argued that the purpose of the NGO bill which he sponsored is to restore transaparency and accountability to the NGO system. To be fair, it is a system that has been hijacked to some extent by fraudulent schemes.

Here are a few highlights of the bill:

 

• Clause 7 (1) (b) states that the commission seeks to ensure the transparency and accountability of the operations of NGOs.
• Clause 24 (1) states that it shall be an offence for any person to operate an NGO in Nigeria for welfare, research, health relief, agriculture, education, industry, the supply of amenities or any other similar purposes without registration and certificate under the act.
• Clause 24 (2) states that a person convicted of an offence under the act shall be liable to a fine not exceeding N500,000, or an imprisonment of 18 months or both.
• Clause 25 (1) (c) states that funds pledged by donors (to NGOs) must be disclosed before implementation of project, including mode of disbursement and condition attached to the funding by donor. Funds from overseas must be channelled through normal banking system.
• Clause 25 (2) states that NGOs should ensure that greater percentage of the financial requirement goes for direct support to target beneficiaries, in respect of which organisation shall limit administrative cost to bare essentials.

 

Based on the foregoing, a couple of questions arise. Isn’t Clause 24(1) a case of double registration? NGOs already register with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Also, why must donors disclose their funds to the FG? Is it the FG that gave them the money? Why should the bill regulate NGO spending, is it their money?

Ayo Sogunro, using a tales by moonlight format explains why making NGOs accountable through this bill is such a tripe!

See below:

Please stop the stupid 'accountability argument'. NGOs are primarily accountable to their donors/funders. Not to the govt. Let me explain.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

You are a member of a class of 50 people, and everyday you all use this classroom for your academic lessons and recreational activity.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

Over time, the classroom gets quite dirty and requires cleaning, but even after complaints, the school authorities do nothing about it.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

So, you being a very innovative type suggests that members of the class can buy cleaning tools and take care of the issue themselves.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

The next cleaning cycle when you want to expand operations, you check in with the authorities and get a certificate to proceed.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

You've now become so well known as the 'Great Classroom Cleaner', people are throwing awards at you. Awards come with more money.

— AYO SOGUNRO (@ayosogunro) September 26, 2017

Reactions:

This thread gives a clear picture of the whole #NGOBill.
Quite enlightening storyline.https://t.co/1JPsl8z1LF

— Davey (@ArchieWonda) September 26, 2017

https://twitter.com/afalli/status/912725169482993665

People do not seem to grasp the "non-governmental" part of NGO. Even the NASS themselves.

— Rabid Illogical Bad Behaviourist (@inpoco) September 26, 2017

Nigerian politicians are always looking for ways to slow-mo everything even the economy. Whose benefits is this bill really? https://t.co/YbVDOS8sRR

— Ebong (@EBONGIE) September 26, 2017

This is typical Nigerian political spirit. They want everyone to beg them for survival. If they could legislate oxygen, they would. https://t.co/tipyZjoETa

— Ebong (@EBONGIE) September 26, 2017

Chew on that.