By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a legal framework for the transparent management, accountability and disclosure of foreign assistance, humanitarian support, grants and concessional financing received by Nigeria.
The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening oversight of donor-funded projects, integrating foreign aid into the national budget framework and ensuring that development resources are aligned with national priorities.
Leading the debate on the bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dakwambo (Kebbi North), lawmakers expressed concern over the fragmented and weakly coordinated management of foreign aid, warning that poor oversight has encouraged duplication, misuse of funds and a lack of transparency.
The bill received unanimous support , Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau supported the bill, noting that while donor funds channelled directly to the Federal Government are captured in the national budget, many materials and interventions delivered through non-governmental organisations escape adequate monitoring.
Lawmakers decried the alleged diversion of donor funds by some NGOs and called for the harmonisation of all foreign assistance under a single transparent framework.
In his remarks
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over unsolicited foreign assistance, alleging that some aid inflows have indirectly sustained insecurity and terrorism in parts of the country.
He subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, directing them to report back within six weeks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Committees on Finance; National Planning and Economic Affairs; and Foreign Affairs for further legislative work, with a report expected within six weeks
