ABUJA—The House of Representatives, yesterday, initiated the process of ratification of treaties and agreements reached with international bodies by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
According to the legislators, the United Nations (UN) records showed that Nigeria had entered into about 400 treaties, agreements and protocols while local records showed that Nigeria is a party to over 200 treaties, agreements and protocols.
It was further revealed that while records showed that less than 15 treaties have been domesticated or properly ratified, 10 have been duly domesticated or ratified, while another 10 did not complete the process during the previous Assembly.
The lawmakers, in their resolution requested that all MDAs, as a matter of urgent national importance and in compliance with the provision of the constitution, should within 30 days, liaise with the Committee on Treaties and Agreements and commence domestication and ratification processes of all Treaties, Agreements and Protocols entered into, so as to allow for the laying of such before the House.
Sponsor of the motion, Yacoob Bush-Alebiosu (ACN, Lagos) cited Section 12 (1), (2) and (3) of the 1999 constitution that clearly states that ‘No Treaty between the Federation and any other country shall have the force of law except to the extent to which such a treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly’.
Said he: “It is however worrisome that Nigerians are not benefitting from the country’s signature to these treaties, agreements and protocols as the provisions of Section 12 have constantly been breached due to its non domestication or ratification thereby having no force of law”.
The lawmaker cited the Green Tree Agreement through which the Bakassi Peninsula was ceded to Cameroon and the Bilateral Air Service Agrreement (BASA) as instances where treaties were not domesticated and have no force of law.
“The non-domestication or proper ratification of such treaties signifies the breach of the intention of such treaties, agreements and protocols of the various conventions.
Said he: “It is also disturbing that the Intermnational community will not take Nigeria as a serious State as a result of the non completion of the ratification or domestication process.
“Besides, it is of concern that Nigeria may consequently attract possible sanctions by respective International bodies as a result of the constant breach of procedure and process.”
In their contributions Hon. Zakari Mohammed (PDP, Kwara) emphasized the timeliness of the motion while Hon. Nnenna Ukeje (PDP, Abia) warned that with Nigeria seeking Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and assistance on terrorism, trade and education among others, the need to duly ratify the agreements can not be overemphasized.
“It has become expedient to present these agreements for proper examination to be able to know how they conform with our national interest and tradition before ratification and domestication,” she said.
Friday Itulah (ACN, Edo) said the motion was a wake up call to MDAs on what ought to be done and the Ministry of Justice to collate all the treaties and agreement and present them to the National Assembly”
In his own remarks, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi) opined that agreements and treaties not ratified meant that Nigerians were being subjected to laws that were not duly passed.
After it was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers, the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal referred the motion to House Committees on Treaties and Agreements for further legislative inputs.
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