House of Representatives clears air on controversial bill for to regulate the operations of Nongovernmental Organisations in Nigeria

Critics of the proposed legislation had contended that it was part of measures by the authorities to constrain the civic space and check dissent.
There were also claims in some quarters that the legislation was meant to target religious organizations.
But the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, UMAR BUBA JIBRIL said the bill was meant to check fraudulent activities by some NGOs.
UMAR BUBA JUBRIL disclosed in a statement that some Nigerians register NGOs and solicit funding for programmes, only to disappear after securing funds or divert same to fund the activities of terrorist and insurgent groups.
The lawmaker further observed that many NGOs operating in Nigeria do not have definite reasons for being in existence other than using their names to fleece international donor agencies of huge sums of money on behalf of Nigeria.
He particularly alleged that some of NGOs had solicited funds on behalf of Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East and made away with all they got from donors.
The federal lawmaker noted that part of the objective of the NGOs Act is for the establishment of a regulatory commission that would serve as an interface between operators and the government.
Our correspondent JAMES IGAH reports that the other objectives include ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of funds meant for programmes for Nigerians.
The proposed legislation does not cover the activities of churches, mosques, market women associations, religious bodies and organizations that do not operate as NGOs.