By Ahmed Ahmed
Civil Society Organizations in Bauchi state has condemned in strong terms the recent bill passed by the state house of assembly to repeal the Bauchi state public property and fund recovery tribunal law, with a called to governor Mohammed Abubakar not assent to the bill.
Mr Sadiq Sadig the secretary Bauchi State Network of Civil Society’ (BASNEC) and Mr Mohammed Chiroma Program officer Center for information Technology and Development (CITAD) Bauchi made the call at a different press briefing in Bauchi on Friday.
They condemned the bill in strong terms and called on governor Mohammed Abubakar not assent to the bill because of its effects on the good governance and accountability in the public service of the state.
Sadiq said it was improper for the legislative house to pass such bill saying “there was a law enacted in 2017 tagged ‘Bauchi State public property and fund recovery tribunal law’ that empowers government to recover looted items and money from public officers.
” The action contradicts section 15 (5) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended which states that ‘ the state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’. Such action undermines democratic process”.
” Our stance in condemning the latest bill to repeal the existing law (Bauchi State public property and fund recovery tribunal law 2017) because it has been of great benefit to Bauchi State citizens through prudence management of public property and funds”. He said.
According to him, such bills are against the interest of the citizens as it will not allow good governance to be in place”.
He explained that CSOs across the 20 local governments of the state always advocates for good governance towards effective service delivery in the state, adding that such bill would encourage corruption.
On his part CITAD Program officer Chiroma call on the governor not to assent to the bill because of the sensitivity which affect the lives and the economy of the people in the state.
“The governor with high position in law profession knows the implications of such counter bills to repeal an existing law made to safeguard the property of the state.
“The bill is to the detriment of good citizens of the state therefore repugnant to natural justice, we said no the bill,” Mr Chiroma said
He however call on all stakeholders to equally come on and condemned such act that is capable of undermining good governance in the state.
It could be recalled that Bauchi state house Assembly has on Wednesday 15th passed a bill to repeal Bauchi State public properties and funds recovery tribunal law 2017 which was assented by the same governor Mohammed Abubakar in 2017 and again requested the house Assembly to pass a bill for a repeal of the tribunal law.
