By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Bill for an Act to establish the Child Rights and Welfare Commission for the protection of children’s rights yesterday scaled through second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill is sponsored by Okey-Joe Onuakalus, the member representing Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
Presenting his leading debate on the general principles of the Bill during plenary, the lawmaker informed that the Child Rights Commission Act when passed into law, will ensure some specific functions that are different from the Child Rights Act which is already operational in 24 states.
Giving detailed explanation of the proposed legislation, the sponsor disclosed that the Bill is segmented into 20 Sections and that Sections I and 3 have to do with the establishment of the commission, while Section 4 to 7 deals on the governing council, tenure, functions and power, noting that Sections 8 to 10 has to do with the constitution of the board members, appointment of the director including the general staff of the proposed commission.
He further maintained that Section 11 deal with Pensions of the Commission while section 12 and 13 are about establishment of Departments, including Investigation and Monitoring departments that are like the eyes of the commission.
The lawmaker equally explained that section 14 to 16 have to do with the identification of Offences, Penalties and Jurisdiction of the Commission adding that section 17 to 19 are about the Funds, Power to Borrow, Accounts and Audit of the Commission and Section 20 is the Citation of this Bill.
He thereafter revealed that the Bill is divided into sections to ensure explicit and self explanation stating that the Bill is distinctive in nature and functions as spelt out for easy implementation.
The lawmaker also expressed optimism that the Bill when passed into law will prohibit, prevent, detect, prosecute and punish all that are involved in selling of babies and children, as well as those operating baby factories, illegal orphanages and motherless babies Homes in the country.
“Unlike the Child Rights Act which does not include and point out the above aforementioned but deals on the child’s right to be given protection and care as necessary for the well being of the Child, taking in consideration the rights and duties of the child’s parents, legal guardians, individuals, institutions, services, agencies, organizations or bodies legally responsible for the child, every Child has a right to life, survival and development and etc, whereas the Child Rights Commission is the spring bolt of the Child Rights Act. The speaker and colleagues, I therefore request that you all support the passage of this Bill,” he explained.
