Abuja – The House of Representatives on Wednesday directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to forward all existing treaties yet to be domesticated to the House.
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directive followed a motion by Rep. Yakubu Balogun (Lagos-APC), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Moving the motion, Balogun noted that Nigeria had entered into many treaties and other international multilateral and bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing socio-economic development of the nation.
According to him, such treaties cannot have the force of law, unless they are brought before the National Assembly for domestication.
“The fact that this has not happened had resulted in the inability of the country to harness the benefits of the treaties.
“It is important to note that unless the treaties are domesticated without further delay, the country is running the risk of damage to its diplomatic image” he said.
Supporting the motion, Rep. Jones Onyeyere (Imo-PDP), said the domestication was mandatory according to section 12 (1) of the Constitution.
Also, Rep. Kayode Oladimeji (Ekiti-PDP), said there were differences between domestication and ratification of treaties.
He added that it stopped at only ratification because, “if the treaties are not domesticated it is in violation of Section 12 (1) of the Constitution”.
The House also mandated the Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements to assess the treaties when forwarded with a view to recommending their domestication. (NAN)