Paradigm Shift, a non-governmental organisation, is seeking the quicker passage of ‘digital rights and freedom bill’ to strengthen legal instruments that will enhance the fight against corruption.
The organisation also made case for the passage of the Federal Audit Bill, Mutual Agreement Bill, Anti-money laundering bill and other legal instruments that would strengthen the framework for Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
Adegoke Adeboye, the programme manager of the Paradigm Shift, speaking on the bill on Tuesday in Abuja, said: “The bill is basically saying that the right that people enjoys offline would also be enjoyed online but then bills now takes time to also delve into issues that are peculiar to the online environment issues such as surveillance and holding those who blow false alarm responsible.”
According to the programme officer, “The Digital Rights and Freedom Bill recently passed by the National Assembly provides that governments shall recognise the power of digital platforms and use it to democratic advantage in particular to reinforce democratic processes, drive efficiency, foster innovation, empower public sector workers and expose corruption.”
The programme officer noted that the country’s fight against corruption has not made the required progress despite the current administrations riding on it as a key component of their administration’s agenda.
“According to a recently released report by Transparency International, Nigeria now ranks 148 out of a total 180 countries in terms of corruption, this ranking evidencing a deterioration between 2016 and 2017,” he said.
He pointed out that the advocacy was to bring attention to the subject of e-governance as an effective and veritable took for anti-corruption and transparency efforts in Nigeria.
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