The Chairman Senate Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybercrime, Yakubu Useni, says the Upper Legislative chamber is committed and ready to grant accelerated passage of the National Data Processing Bill into law.
Sen. Useni made the pledge on Monday during the one-day workshop preparatory to the passing of the National data Processing Bill for the country by National Assembly held in Abuja.
The law maker, who regretted the failure of the President to sign the bill into law in 2019 said the red chamber was anxiously waiting for the bill to be represented by the executive to be given a speedy passage into law.
“I want to assure that as National Assembly members, we will make sure, we do justice to the bill. We need to give legal backing to the agency.
“We are waiting for them to bring the bill and we will ensure it gets to the president within One month.”
“This is a legislation that is supposed to have seen the light of the day since 2019. But unfortunately when the bill was sent to the president it was not assented to by the president.
“Now that it’s coming from the executive side; I believe that it will see the light of the day.”
“This is an agency set up to protect the data of individuals and organisations. Before there was no such law.”
“As an individual you have right to say no that someone shouldn’t use your data,
It should be a law for somebody to say you consent before using your data.
“Your data is your property, your data is your life, your data is you, and before somebody have access to your data in any form then they have to seek your consent.”
On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybercrime, Abubakar Lado also expressed the willingness of the Lower chamber to give the bill a speedy passage.
“As National Assembly, we are committed to the wellbeing of Nigerians. We want to assure the agency that anytime the bill comes to us we will ensure its speedy passage.’’
In his keynote speech delivered at the event, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Pro. Isa Ali Ibrahim, who spoke via recorded speech, said: “The event is to sensitise our National Assembly members before the executive bill is presented to the National Assembly so that you (legislators) can block all the gaps.
“This bill will ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the data of our citizens.”
Fielding questions from journalists, the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the bill would be ready for Federal Executive Council, FEC approval by October for onward transmission to the National Assembly.
“By October we will send the bill to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy who will forward it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for it to be sent as an Executive bill to the National Assembly.”
Earlier in his welcome address, NDPB Commissioner said, the agency has created over 8000 jobs by certifying over 5000 data protection experts. “Our believe is that the bill will be passed before the end of this year”.