The senate has asked secretary to government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, and minister of arts and culture, Hannatu Musa-Musawa to suspend the scrapping of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
Gatekeepers News reports that the senate noted that in case there is a need to scrap any government agency, a bill should be sent by the executive first.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by senator representing Nasarawa South, Mohammed Ogoshi on Tuesday.
Before this, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had said it would merge and scrap some agencies in line with recommendations made by the Oronsaye report.
The report suggested that 263 statutory agencies be cut to 161, 38 agencies be scrapped, 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries.
Moving his motion, Ogoshi said he is aware of a memo that showed that the minister has already begun dissolution of the NFVCB.
He said, “The directive violates the National Film and Video Censors Board Act Cap No.40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).”
“The process of winding down an agency of government which came into force through an Act of parliament should first commence by the repeal of the Act establishing the said agency.”
“The Oronsaye report is a committee report that should not override an Act of parliament.”
“This abuse of rule of law if it goes unchecked would become a bad precedent going forward.”
“There is, therefore, the need to promptly check this illegality by insisting that the right procedures for winding down a statutory agency like NFVCB be followed.”
The motion was adopted after majority of the upper legislative chamber consented to the motion, through a voice vote by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
