As a follow up to the Online Policy Analysis (OPA) of contentious Policies, Laws, Bills & Acts in Nigeria, the Face-2-Face Policy Analysis (F2FPA) was facilitated by me in Plateau and Benue states on the 15th and 18th of September respectively under the auspices of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development (SCDDD); Mercy Corps & Pastoral Resolve (PARE). I was in the field between the 15th and 19th of September, 2020
Photo above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa sitting/relaxed during tea break
Photo above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa facilitating @ the F2FPA in Plateau state
Photo above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa and Covid-19 compliant stakeholders @ the Jos (Plateau state) parley
The documents x-rayed in Plateau were:
1) The Companies & Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020
2) The National Grazing Route & Reserve Commission (NGRRC) Bill, 2016
3) Response by Plateau state government & citizens to the NGRRC Bill, 2016
4) The concept of 'Indigeneity' in Nigeria
5) The Land Use Act (LUA) 1978
6) The Water Resources Amendment (WRA) Act 2020
In Makurdi (Benue state), (4) was not addressed, while (3) was replaced by the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition & Ranching Establishment Law 2017
Photo above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa facilitating the F2FPA in Makurdi, Benue state
It was made abundantly clear that government usually has relatively good intentions for Policies, Laws & Acts. However, in the course of actual implementation, the citizenry detect flaws in the documents that may make them challenging to implement. The reaction to the CAMA Act in both states was that it should not entail religious bodies while others felt religious bodies should be guided by the same laws which 'bind' charities.
In the two states, it was suggested that the LUA should be reviewed in line with modern trends. The popular opinion was that the LUA should be read in conjunction with the NGRRC Bill 2016 & the WRA 2020. It is noteworthy that due to the vehement outcry against the Water Resources (Amendment) Act 2020 has been withdrawn by the sponsor in the House of Representatives! This shows the importance of citizen engagement with Policies, Laws and Acts that affect their lives, since in the final analysis, the citizens know where the shoe pinches vis-a-vis these pieces of legislation...The dialogue continues...
Photo above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa in group photograph with critical stakeholders in Makurdi
