The House of Representatives convened a plenary session during which an important Bill progressed to its second reading. The aim of this legislation is to amend the Interpretation Act of 2004, specifically to introduce regulations governing the appointment and assumption of offices in acting capacity.
Co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, and five other lawmakers, the proposed bill titled “Bill for an Act to Amend the Interpretation Act, Cap. 123, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide Conditions for Appointment and Assumption of Office in Acting capacity, to provide the meaning of certain words and for Related Matters” seeks to address various concerns.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere outlined that the Interpretation Act was originally enacted to guide the construction and interpretation of Acts of the National Assembly and other relevant instruments.
The bill’s primary objective is to amend sections 11 and 18 of the Principal Act. Section 11 will be updated to include limitations and conditions for the appointment and assumption of office in an acting capacity, while section 18 will incorporate the definitions of certain essential terms.
Emphasizing the necessity of the bill, Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere highlighted instances where the power to appoint individuals in acting capacity had been egregiously abused in recent times. Unqualified persons were often appointed to hold offices in acting capacity, leading to prolonged tenure and the potential compromise of efficient governance.
It is crucial to note that the proposed bill carries no additional financial burden for the government.
Addressing the assembly, Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere explained, “Section 11 of the Interpretation Act grants the power to appoint individuals to offices and bestow certain functions upon them, for specified or unspecified periods. This power includes the authority to name the appointee, remove or suspend them, reinstate a previously suspended individual, and appoint someone in an acting capacity. However, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 11 reveals that these powers are subject to limitations and conditions as stipulated by various other enactments. Shockingly, no limitations or conditions exist for the appointment of individuals in an acting capacity, which has resulted in unqualified persons holding such positions for extended durations. This bill seeks to fill this gap by implementing limitations and conditions for the appointment of individuals in acting capacity, based on their qualifications for the substantive role. Furthermore, it proposes a maximum duration of six months for acting appointments. Additionally, the bill aims to redefine terms such as “child” and “youth” alongside other relevant words, as outlined in section 18 of the Interpretation Act. By strengthening governance through these amendments, we can ensure the effective functioning of our nation. I urge all of you to support the advancement of this bill to the second reading.”
The Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, conducted a voice vote on the bill during the session. With the majority of the lawmakers voicing their support, the bill successfully passed and was subsequently referred to the committee on judiciary for further legislative action.
