There’s no FoI Bill yet – Dabiri-Erewa

Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa represents Ikorodu Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with MUDIAGA AFFE, the lawmaker, who is seeking re-election under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, speaks on the need to harmonise the Freedom of Information Bill before the tenure of the present lawmakers ends in June. Excerpts:

At last, the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed the Freedom of Information Bill, but there are fears that the bill may have been whittled down. What is your take on that?

We don’t have a FoI Bill yet. There is the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill, but there will be a harmonisation committee to look at both versions and come up with a harmonised copy. So, without a harmonised copy, you really cannot say this is the bill. As soon as we resume sitting, I’m sure the Harmonisation Committee will get to work and come up with one version of the FoI Bill. It is going to be a give-and-take situation. But what matters most is that we should have a bill that will make it possible for Nigerians to have access to information.

How soon do you think the harmonised version will be passed?

We are on recess now for one month. The Senate already has a harmonisation committee. The House will set up its own as soon as we resume sitting and I can assure you that it will not take long to work on the harmonised version.

A Presidential Adviser, Aba-Ajji, has said the President may not sign the FoI bill after all. What are your views on that comment?

I don’t want to say much on that, what matters is that the Senate and House have passed the bill. The harmonised version will be sent to the President for his assent. However, I cannot judge if the President will sign it or not. If he doesn’t sign it or the bill doesn’t see the light of day, maybe President Nuhu Ribadu will give us. I am not worried about the bill because it will be a disservice to the country if the bill is not passed. We have put in a lot for the bill. Some of us were called names, but it is okay. What matters is that we have done our bit, let the President do his. If he doesn’t, someone else will.

There were initial discussions on the Petroleum Industry Bill, but suddenly the Senate suspended discussions on it and there are allegations that the NNPC and oil multinationals are not comfortable with it. Could that be the reason for the seeming lack of political will of the National Assembly to ensure its passage?

The House had started considering on the PIB before we went on recess and when we resume, we will continue. I cannot speak for any other arm of government but I know the House has started work and will continue when we resume. There are several bills that need to be worked on.

The ACN in Ikorodu recently lost an election to the opposition party. Do you think the party is now united to win election in that constituency?

Actually, that is a thing of the past. We had a stakeholders’ meeting some few days ago and it was successful. What happens in politics is that no matter the difference, once your candidates have emerged, you put your differences aside. Whatever the leadership issue in Ikorodu has since been resolved and we are working together. There has been tremendous support and we know that it will be a landslide victory, not only in Ikorodu, but in Lagos State. We have to thank our leaders for all they have been doing. Most importantly, the youths of Ikorodu, whether they are ACN or not, have been wonderful and supportive. Nobody can do everything but there has been tremendous appreciation. There is still a lot to be done; the major issue in Ikorodu will be the issue of roads and we know that Governor Babatunde Fashola has promised that in his second term, he will do a lot of work on Ikorodu roads. In fact, work has started on several roads.

Don’t you think that the poor performances of some elected ACN representatives may affect the fortunes of the party in the April poll?

It is relative. There are areas where they commend local chairmen and there are areas where they are condemned. Whatever the issues are, they have been addressed. We know what we have to do; but most importantly and relatively speaking, ACN as a government, in all arms, has done well and what people should do, is to encourage the party by voting to ensure that we continue wherever we have stopped.

What are you going to be doing differently if elected?

I will continue from where I stopped, I will give even better representation. Some people say, why third term? It is because the constitution allows you to do as many terms as long as your party nominates you and you win elections. Secondly, the National Assembly is the weakest arm of government and the main reason for this is the lack of continuity. You find very brilliant and efficient members who do not return because somebody somewhere does not want them, in the name of internal democracy, and we have lost so many good hands. I am opportune and humbled that my party feels I have done relatively well to return and represent my constituency. I am obligated to do more to ensure that I effectively represent the interests of Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria. I will also try to ensure that we churn out bills that touch the lives of Nigerians. All you hear is money, which is exaggerated, but let’s leave that for now and hope that by the time we go into the next dispensation, hopefully there will be an FoI Bill which will ensure transparency and give better access to information into whatever is going on in government. I want to attract more Federal Government presence to my area, certain things we do including giving scholarships are not the primary roles of a lawmaker, but you cannot see poverty around you without doing anything. In April, let your votes count to bring about the desired change. One major issue during the campaign and election is violence, there is so much violence around, and you see youths with guns in their pockets; they give them between N5,000 and N10,000 and Indian hemp and ask them to destroy. I tell those who use these youths that nemesis will catch up with all of them.

How do you intend to help Lagos to achieve a special status?

As the Chairman of the House Committee on the Diaspora, I meet a lot of Nigerians all over and they say Lagos is giving them hope. Lagos has shown that governance can work; Lagos has enjoyed the continuity trend from the foundation laid by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu built on by Governor Babatunde Fashola. I am hopeful that as we move into a new parliament we will continue to pursue it and gather more support from other South-West states because Lagos is the economic centre of Nigeria. Lagos is working and attracting investors to Nigeria. It is the hope of the country and deserves the special status and we are going to fight for it not just alone but with the support of every member of the National Assembly