The Nigerian National Assembly has not been enjoying good press lately. In the eyes of the average Nigerian the National assembly is a house of sleaze and untold corruption- of a kind we have never witnessed even in our darkest moments as a corrupt nation. In short the entire edifice and its occupants stink of corruption.

Now rather than take steps to disabuse the minds of Nigerians by ensuring transparency and accountability, they have chosen to use our collective wealth to fight back by establishing their own media to disseminate their own news. This is taking corruption to a whole new level. As usual labour leaders acquiesce with their conspiratorial silence

Our current presidential system of Govt was copied some say stolen from the US. Despite cries that this system is unduely unwieldy and too expensive for our meager resources (150m pple) our lawmakers have stuck to it because it suits them. If they must continue doesnt it make sense that they ask themselves- will the US congress do a thing  like this?

The National Assembly has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for denying it a license to establish its television and radio station.

In a statement on Friday, National Assembly Director of Information and Publications, Monima Daminabo, said the saying that the refusal of the National Broadcasting Commission to deny it the licenses was ill-informed.

He lamented NBC’s description of the National Assembly as a mere political organisation in a communication by the Director General of the NBC, Yomi Bolarinwa.

The National Assembly had requested for the licenses a few months ago, but NBC declined the request arguing that the law precludes religious bodies and political organisations from owning such licenses. Mr Bolarinwa added that the National Assembly qualifies as a political organisation.

“Referring to the National Assembly as a mere political organisation constitutes not only a poor reading of the Nigerian Constitution, but also a clear play out of crass insensitivity to the core values which shape our daily national life,” Mr Daminabo said “,  if the National Assembly is a mere political organisation, it then shares such a status with the Presidency and the Judiciary with their vast network of ministries, departments, parastatals and agencies, including of course the NBC, in all regular meanings and connotations,” He added.

The National Assembly currently enjoys two days live coverage of its three day per week plenary on both NTA and AIT. Proceedings of the national assembly are also covered by about 150 reporters from about 65 local and international news agencies.

Mr Daminabo however said it was “poignant” for the commission to deny the National Assembly radio and television licenses to run its private broadcast stations which will be dedicated to the activities of the lawmakers.

“This constitutes a more grievous act of blatant disregard of the cause of deepening of democracy in the public domain of this country and is therefore patently inexcusable,” Mr Daminabo argued. “The point (that) needs not be emphasised here (is) that the primary driving force of any virile legislature in the contemporary world is information management.” He argued that the broadcast stations would have broadened the national assembly’s avenues of exchange of ideas between it and the public while making laws.

He said that the position of NBC is practically the same as effectively attempting to gag the national assembly, “and thereby stifle the genuine aspirations of the deserving Nigerian tax payers, to effective access to information on and around the legislature.” “Besides, a broadcast facility for the National Assembly is not for a private firm or any other parochial interest. It rather qualifies to be seen in its full panoply as the ultimate altruistic enterprise, to take Nigeria to the next level. Under the circumstance, the least the NBC Director General should have done, and could still do, is not only to celebrate the initiative, but also champion its cause,” Mr Daminabo added.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5673136-146/national_assembly_furious_over_broadcast_license.csp

He said that the position of NBC is practically the same as effectively attempting to gag the national assembly, “and thereby stifle the genuine aspirations of the deserving Nigerian tax payers, to effective access to information on and around the legislature.”

If they care so much about ensuring that tax payers gain access to information, then they ought to be working on the freedom of information bill

violent:

If they care so much about ensuring that tax payers gain access to information, then they ought to be working on the freedom of information bill

The FOI bill clearly portend trouble for corruption and the status quo. The reason why corruption thrives in Nigeria is b/c of the cloak of secrecy sorrounding govt income and expenditure. The lawmakers recognize this. Practically all of them are tainted- there is sth on everyone like you have in a mafia set up including members making half-hearted attempt to ensure its passage. It will take an extraordinary will from the presidency to see the law through.

Without the FOI in its true meaning and true spirit,there can be no hope of stopping corruption in Nigeria. In other words whatever we do we can 4get regular power supply, good roads, sound and affordable health and all the hallmark of a civilized society