Lawmaker Laments Non Passage of NTCA Act
The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Odebunmi Dokun, has expressed displeasure over the non-passage of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA).
Dokun disclosed this recently in Lagos, at a Breakfast Policy Dialogue organised by Initiative for Policy Analysis (IPPA) with the theme: ‘Moving from Regulation to Policy Action- the Challenge.’
He said despite the enactment of the Act in May, 2015, there are still concerns expressed in some quarters, adding that there are concerted efforts in addressing these concerns without compromising public interest.
He further explained that the non-passage of the Act has worsened the business environment for the private sector players.
“It is not just accidental therefore that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported the food, beverage and tobacco industry contracted in the end of 2016 was -2.7 per cent in the last year from 5.8 per cent in the third quarter in 2016,” he noted.
Dokun, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Al-Marruf Ajibolu, added that the lack of effective implementation of the provisions contained in the Act has made it inappropriate in reforming the Act. “The lack of implementation has not provided a fertile ground to know what is actually wrong in the present provisions,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of IPPA, Mr. Thompson Ayodele, said as a group their focus was not only on tobacco, but on the food and beverages industry, adding that the sector is very important to the growth of the economy.
He added that the growth of the sector was slow, as a result it could not contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “If this continues it would affect the overall growth of the economy, especially with the country’s exit from recession,” he said.
Continuing, Dokun added, “Therefore, I strongly (recommend) that laws should always be implemented before the consideration of any amendment. They have to be tested, evaluated, gaps identified and addressed before new laws or amendments are introduced. Of course, the Act can only be implemented by the executive branch and not by the stakeholders in the sector.
“I want to enjoin everyone to join hand with the government in the implementation of the law and point out whatever gaps that may exist. As you all know, Perfection is a process and every one of us are part of that process. I want this gathering to know that whatever Act passed by the national assembly is meant for the general well-being of the citizenry. We are your representatives and we are doing people’s business.”