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The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know - Politics - Nairaland

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The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Demzlent(m): 11:13am On May 06, 2020
Many people have been commenting on this controversial bill but most people are not aware of the content:

So this is what the bill says:

POWERS FOR ARBITRARY ARREST AND ‘WHATEVER THAT IS NECESSARY’

On at least 15 occasions, the 47-page bill empowers the police, health officers or anyone so directed by the NCDC DG to arrest any suspect for alleged breach of any of its 80 provisions, mostly without the need for a warrant issued to that effect.

Also, in a number of cases, there seem to be no need for reasonable evidence that an individual has committed a crime under the bill to warrant an arrest. For instance, section 57 empowers a police or health officer to, on the orders of the NCDC DG, arrest an individual “who he has reason to believe has committed any offence under this Act” under certain conditions including “if there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the name and address if given”.

Its section 15(4) also gives the police or health officers — some of who are appointed by the NCDC DG — the power to “take any action that is necessary to give effect to an order under subsection (3) (which relates to the isolation centre)”.

That subsection three empowers the NCDC DG to, through written orders: “(a.) prohibit any person or class of persons from entering or leaving the isolation area without the permission of the Director General; …

“(b.) prohibit or restrict the movement within the isolation area of any person or class of persons; (c.) prohibit or restrict the movement of goods; (d.) require any person or class of persons to report at specified times and places and submit to such medical examinations, answer such questions and submit to such medical treatment as the Director General thinks fit; …

“(e.) authorise the destruction, disposal or treatment of any goods, structure, water supply, drainage and sewerage system or other matter within the isolation area known or suspected to be a source of infection; and (f.) prohibit, restrict, require or authorise the carrying out of such other act as may be prescribed.”

This means that, if a police or health officer thinks it is necessary, they have the right to shoot an individual to effect the aforementioned provisions, especially as there is no definition of what could be necessary nor a limit provided for such.

ANY PLACE COULD BE DECLARED AS AN ISOLATION CENTRE

The proposed legislation empowers the minister of health to declare “any premises” as an isolation area if he so desires.

The section 15 states: “(1) The Minister may, for the purpose of preventing the spread or possible outbreak of an infectious disease, by notification in the Gazette declare any premises to be an isolation area.

“(2) A notification under subsection (1) shall be effective until the expiration of such period as may be specified in the notification or until it is revoked by the Minister, whichever occurs first.”

COMPULSORY VACCINATION FOR EVERY CHILD

The new bill also mandates parent or guardian of “every child in Nigeria” to “ensure that the child is vaccinated against infectious diseases such as diphtheria, measles, polio and meningitis”. It also requires a notice for vaccination to be issued for newborns “immediately” after their birth.

Its section 47 also empowers the NCDC DG to direct anyone not vaccinated for a disease during an outbreak to do so.

It states: “(1) In an outbreak or a suspected outbreak of any infectious disease in any area in Nigeria, the Director General may by order direct any person or class of persons not protected or vaccinated against the disease to undergo vaccination or other prophylaxis within such period as may be specified in the order.

“(2) In addition to the power conferred by subsection (1), where it appears to the Director that — (a.) an outbreak of an infectious disease in any area in Nigeria is imminent; and …

“(b.) It is necessary or expedient to do so for the securing of public safety, the Director may by order direct any person or class of persons not protected or vaccinated against that infectious disease to undergo vaccination or other prophylaxis within such period as may be specified in the order.

“(3) Any order made under subsection (1) or (2) may specify the person by whom and the way the vaccination or other prophylaxis is to be carried out.

“(4) Where any order is made under subsection (1) or (2), the Director General shall cause notice of the effect of the order to be given in such a manner as he thinks necessary for bringing it to the notice of all persons who in his opinion ought to have notice thereof.”

‘SIX MONTHS JAIL FOR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS, N2M FINE FOR FALSE INFORMATION FROM BLOOD DONORS

The bill also provides for stringent penalties for some offences, including six months jail for first time offenders under any of the act for which no penalty was given.

Section 68 states: “Any person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no penalty is expressly provided shall — (a.) in the case of a first offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and …

“(b.) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.”

Also, a blood donor who supplies any false or misleading information shall, upon conviction, pay a fine not exceeding N2 million or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years or both.

It also provides for a fine of N5 million for a convicted individual who owns a vessel or who supplies food and water to a vessel without either ensuring that what is supplied is “fit for human consumption” or that the vessel or “vehicle and the food and water receptacles therein are in a clean and sanitary condition”.

Anyone who “wilfully neglects or refuses to carry out or obstructs the execution of any emergency measure” formulated by the NCDC DG as part of his “extraordinary powers” provided for in section 61 will, upon conviction, be liable for a fine of N1 million or imprisonment of six months or both.

UNCHECKED POWERS FOR THE NCDC DG

The bill also seems to give quite a number of powers to the NCDC director-general, most of which are as he “deems fit”. While the minister was mentioned on about 30 occasions, there at least 150 mentions of the centre’s DG.

For instance, it enables the NCDC DG to appoint any public official to be a health officer and such person, like the police officers, are empowered to make arrests with or without a warrant. Its section 2(1) empowers the DG to “appoint any public officer, officer of any statutory body; or employee of a prescribed institution, to be a Health Officer for the purposes of this Act” subject to such conditions or restrictions as he thinks fit.

Also, its section 61 provides for “extraordinary powers in relation to emergency measures” which states that the NCDC DG “may, with the approval of the Minister, formulate and implement emergency measures for the control of an infectious disease in any area and such measures shall be published in the Gazette before implementation.”

Unlike the quarantine act of 1926 in which powers mostly reside with either the president or minister, most of the powers of the NCDC DG in the new bill are to be exercised without any approval from the minister or the president including powers to direct vaccination, order arrest of suspects or closure of the premises he believes might lead to the outbreak or spread of any infectious disease.

EXCLUSION OF STATE GOVERNORS

Unlike the infectious diseases act of 1926 which among other things empowers state governors to issue quarantine regulations and any other directives as provided for, the new bill does not recognise such powers for the governors.

In fact, there is no mention of ‘governor’ except in its section 78 which states that “the powers of the President under this Act shall be exercisable by him or any Minister designated by him in that behalf and references in this Act to Governor shall be construed accordingly”.

Interestingly, such powers are non-existent.


https://www.thecable.ng/compulsory-vaccination-arbitrary-arrest-inside-house-of-reps-diseases-control-bill

10 Likes 4 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by MistadeRegal(m): 11:52am On May 06, 2020
It shall not stand.
Giving sweeping powers to who?
In this nation?
No way.

160 Likes 4 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by adekolaelect(m): 12:38pm On May 06, 2020
The law sounded dictatorship but I can't blame them bcs this covid 19 pandemic is a disaster to human existent .

22 Likes 3 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by ZombieNation: 12:41pm On May 06, 2020
The Bill to cull and sterilize the population.

Welcome to the New World Zionist Order, number 66681087097690708

Health Care comes in a needle in the form of vaccines. Remember prevention is better than cure!

Food will be a combination of amino acid protein from bugs and worms supplemented with carbohydrates grown from GMO crops at AGROSOFT - your world leader in food production. Take a pill and its a four-square meal. No more beef. That's barbaric and bad for the environment.

You will own no property in the Soviet Zionist Global Empire - only our Jewish overlords are allowed to own anything and everything including us - they are the chosen ones remember. Without them their god would have destroyed us. We serve our Jewish masters and Messiah Gates. Besides I got credited 2 BG coins on my Citizens account for reporting my neighbor. I caught him roasting a rat. Fire and meat is bad. So says Messiah Gates. Religion is bad too. Now I go to work station to feed and milk the cows at Master Shekelbergs farm. After that I go wait on Master Noseberg to see if he will need to have his sheep rounded up. Probably spend my 2 BG coins at the Sodom and Gomorah Bar for Goyims. Maybe next year I can afford to go to the Lesbian Arcade and pay for a descent wh0re. Sex with women is only for our Jewish Overlords. World population would explode if all of us had sex with women.

I am a good Goyim.

29 Likes 4 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by ZombieNation: 12:42pm On May 06, 2020
adekolaelect:
The law sounded dictatorship but I can't blame them bcs this covid 19 pandemic is a disaster to human existent .

Tyranny will come in the name of public interest.

177 Likes 10 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by ZombieNation: 12:45pm On May 06, 2020
Its section 47 also empowers the NCDC DG to direct anyone not vaccinated for a disease during an outbreak to do so.

Ahh yes. This is what Bill Gates paid for and Femi Gbamajilia has not dissapointed.

Forced Vaccination here we come.

88 Likes 5 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Blessed1990: 1:02pm On May 06, 2020
Ok
Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by vickydankal(f): 1:03pm On May 06, 2020
If we talk of new world order they will call us gullible and illiterates. What of tyranny?

I believe we should be apologizing to Abacha, we didn’t see half of this in the time of Abacha.

But I know the gates of hell will not prevail over the purposes of God for this country .

95 Likes 7 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by inoki247: 1:03pm On May 06, 2020
ANY PLACE COULD BE DECLARED AS AN ISOLATION CENTRE...

Can dey declare ASO Rock as an Isolation Center first or the NASS building...

72 Likes 2 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Impregnable101: 1:03pm On May 06, 2020
It has started

The end is near cry cryi

Let me try & win souls for his kingdom so he can consider me cool

45 Likes 3 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by evansjeff(m): 1:04pm On May 06, 2020
Meanwhile, I’m not adding 2020 to my age, I did not use it. I will continue counting from next year, Thank you.

84 Likes 7 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Kelly256(f): 1:04pm On May 06, 2020
I don't really understand this news honestly.

8 Likes 2 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by PureGoldh(m): 1:04pm On May 06, 2020
Issoryt.....wetin I know be say...All parents should ensure that the vaccine been administered to their child ain't in any way FAKE and Make sure the hospital/maternity that you will go to is certified.

If you ain't Okay with it...Just do the one within ur reach....Dx enforced vaccine of a thing no make sense

4 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Spactacle(m): 1:04pm On May 06, 2020
Tougher times ahead.
I think the world we knew before is gone, it's time to start adjusting

23 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by HQDesign: 1:04pm On May 06, 2020
cool
Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by AmazingELixir: 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
cool cool cool


From the write up I really don't see any reason for the public outcry against the bill...the fact that it bestows much power to the DG NCDC who in this case is a career technocrat as against a politician gives the bill credence.


The only worries is the overzealous nature of the enforcers especially the men in black, my thoughts though.

18 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by ceejayluv(m): 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
ZombieNation:


Ahh yes. This is what Bill Gates paid for and Femi Gbamajilia has not dissapointed.

Forced Vaccination here we come.
Una don come again...

20 Likes 2 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Odoctor(m): 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
Again? This is the same bill nah. Who said we did not understand? We understood, absolutely.

5 Likes 2 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by wilemer: 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
Demzlnet:
Many people have been commenting on this controversial bill but most people are not aware of the content:
So this is what the bill says:
-POWERS FOR ARBITRARY ARREST AND ‘WHATEVER THAT IS NECESSARY’
-ANY PLACE COULD BE DECLARED AS AN ISOLATION CENTRE
-COMPULSORY VACCINATION FOR EVERY CHILD
-‘SIX MONTHS JAIL FOR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS, N2M FINE FOR FALSE INFORMATION FROM BLOOD DONORS
-UNCHECKED POWERS FOR THE NCDC DG



i smell conspiracy undecided

4 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by jimmyolasun: 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
h
Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by kponkedenge(m): 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
All I saw above was about diphtheria, measles, polio and meningitis.
I have a close friend that wasn't immunized as a child, he eventually contracted polio, and the scar of it IS and WILL continue to hunt him for the rest of his life.
There's nothing wrong taking a vaccine for any of these.... But forcing it on people is what I don't want.
Let those that don't want to take be left alone, others that want to take... Let them be given.

That's just my take.

32 Likes 2 Shares

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by MrNipplesLover(m): 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
if to say I know say I no go fit read the whole story, I for no book this space.

now, this space is useless, whereas, there is some one who would have made a better use of this space wey I waste so.


make una pardon me.

na small pikin still dey do me.

7 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Primusinterpares(m): 1:05pm On May 06, 2020
Forced vaccination?? We need to know more

5 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Oyiboman69: 1:06pm On May 06, 2020
Na play dem dey...

5 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Covidhunger20: 1:06pm On May 06, 2020
The bill by the devil himself

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by bigstan11787(m): 1:06pm On May 06, 2020
You are talking rubbish, you are talking in the rubbish, you talk rubbish, you are very talking rubbish, you are talking very rubbish

1 Like

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Nobody: 1:06pm On May 06, 2020
They were under pressure to act fast... COVID19 is not a joke. Although I believe there should be some adjustments to this bill so that conspiracy theorists won't come and use it as an avenue to spread more lies like 5G and Antichrist... undecided

7 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by bigstan11787(m): 1:06pm On May 06, 2020
They are not serious

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Mimiranky: 1:07pm On May 06, 2020
God will see us through

4 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Lamasta(m): 1:07pm On May 06, 2020
All I can say it that IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL....
We will overcome

3 Likes

Re: The Infectious Disease Control Bill: What You Should Know by Naijaarchive(m): 1:07pm On May 06, 2020
Hmmm

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