Posted by From JAMES OJO, Abuja on
The Bill for an Act to enable the Federal Government give effect to the agreement between the Republic of Cameroun concerning modalities of withdrawal and transfer of authority in the Bakassi Peninsula suffered a setback on Thursday.
The Bill for an Act to enable the Federal Government give effect to the agreement between the Republic of Cameroun concerning modalities of withdrawal and transfer of authority in the Bakassi Peninsula suffered a setback on Thursday.
The Bill, which has reached the second reading stage, was sent back to President Musa Yar'Adua on account that it was not properly presented.
Chairman of Rules and Business committee, Ita Enang had informed the House shortly after Speaker Dimeji Bankole read the Bill for consideration that what his committee received from the Presidency and circulated among members was a copy of an agreement between Nigeria and Cameroun on the Bakassi issue.
Specifically, he told the House that what the President sent to the House was wrong as it ought to be a proper Bill and not a letter of agreement.
Ita, however, said that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Andoakaa had been informed of the proper procedure, adding that the committee was still expecting a response from the office of the Attorney General.
Action Congress (AC) member from Lagos state, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila said a proper Bill on Bakaasi should have come to the House with a compendium detailing the financial implications.
"When people are to be displaced and resettled, the financial implications should be considered, since the treaty tends to dismember our people," he said.
Both Hon Cyril Maduabum and Bala Ibn Na'Allah noted in their contributions that for a treaty to be ratified by the parliament, it must come in form of a Bill and not in the instrument of agreement.
Hon Soli Sada raised a point of order that with what the President sent to the House, the procedures for presenting treaty for ratification was not followed.
Speaker Bankole then called for the withdrawal of the letter of agreement pending when a proper Bill accompanied by relevant documents including the copy of the judgment at Hague is received.
Other items on the Order Paper were stepped down to enable members attend a closed door session that lasted about two hours.
A source revealed that the issue of reconstituting standing committees dominated the executive session as reports of infighting among some committee members had reached the desk of the Speaker.