The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured that the Infectious Diseases Bill would be subjected to public hearing where Nigerians from all walks of life would be given the opportunity to contribute before final passage.
The speaker at plenary on Tuesday explained that the bill was conceived in the best interests of Nigerians.
He noted that since the introduction of the bill a week ago, there had been a barrage of criticisms against it.
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“Suffice it to say that none of these allegations is true. Unfortunately, we now live in a time when conspiracy theories have gained such currency that genuine endeavours in the public interest can quickly become mischaracterised and misconstrued to raise the spectre of sinister intent and ominous possibility.
“This House of Representatives will never take any action that purposes to bring harm to any Nigerian here at home or abroad. As we’ve thus far shown by our conduct, the resolutions and actions we take in this 9th House of Representatives will always be in the best interests of the Nigerian people who elected us, and no one else,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria has opposed the bill.
CAN General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, in a statement, queried the intention to allow the bill to be passed “with jet speed”.
Also, a coalition of civil society organisations described the bill as draconian and capable of worsening the effects of the COVID-19 in Nigeria.
