CSO kicks against creation of new agencies by N’Assembly

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Civil Society Coalition for Transparency and Good Governance, has kicked against the creation of new agencies by the National Assembly to undertake functions, already under the purview of existing agencies.

The convener of the group, Victor Udoh, while speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, urged the parliament to ensure increase funding for existing agencies, rather than passing laws to create agencies with similar functions.

Udoh, who spoke in reference to the bill seeking to establish the National Commission for Almajiri Education and Out-of-School Children, currently before the House of Representatives, said the proposed legislation is unnecessary as there are already existing agencies catering for same issue.

He said: “It is our believe that agencies like Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non Formal Education are sufficiently covered by law to perform all the functions intended to address in the proposed bill.

“It is, therefore, pertinent to note that the National Assembly should be more concerned in seeing that these agencies get improve funding, effective leadership to deliver on their mandates. Through capacity building, genuine budget implementation and very importantly monitor through oversight.”

Consequently, Udoh called on the House and other stakeholders to reject the bill.

He said: “It will be counter-productive in truly finding genuine solutions to the subject matter mentioned therein in the bill. There are already existing agencies that by law are to take care of the said subject.”