The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Senate matters, Senator Ita Enang, on Friday, announced the signing into law, six new bills by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Enang said among the bills signed include the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act, 2017, which will see the addition of gas producing and gas processing companies to the list of agencies contributing to the NDDC.
A statement by the presidential aide reveals that the president equally assented to the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 and Anti-Torture Act, 2017.
“Specifically, the Act stipulates that a person with a gunshot wound shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria with or without initial monetary deposit. Furthermore, a person with a gunshot wound shall not be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person or authority, including the police and other security agencies.
“Anti-Torture Act, 2017 makes comprehensive provisions for penalizing the acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and prescribes penalties for the commission of such acts.”
On the newly signed NDDC Act, Enang said, “Previously, the NDDC Acts excluded the gas companies. The Act makes it explicit that the Gas companies have to be included.
“This is to diversify the sources of funding for the NDDC for the economic wellbeing of the region,” he said.
The Presidential Legislative Media Aide, added that the Federal Capital Appropriation Act also assented to, authorises the Federal Capital Territory Administration to legally and legitimately provide funds out of its Statutory Revenue Fund for recurrent and capital expenditure.
“President Buhari had earlier assented to the Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment) Act, 2017, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017, Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 and Anti-Torture Act, 2017.
“The Federal Capital Territory Water Board Establishment Act is charged with the responsibility for providing safe, adequate and affordable water supply services to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is also to collaborate with the other authorities responsible for water resources management to secure efficient use of water resources for the conservation and protection of the water resources of the Territory and the nation.
“The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017 is to provide national direction in cancer research, control and treatment; guide scientific improvements to cancer prevention, treatment and care, coordinate and liaise between the wide range of groups and health care providers with an interest in cancer.”
All of the bills immediately come into effect as laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said Enang.