Consistent dialogue and engagement with relevant stakeholders and mobilisation of members’ support are critical measures toward preventing alleged moves to fragment or duplicate professional associations, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has advised.
Senator Omo-Agege who doubles as Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, stated this in Abuja when two professional bodies – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) – paid him courtesy visits, respectively.
Omo-Agege who represents Delta Central at the Upper Legislative Chambers commended both professional bodies for aligning their corporate goals and aspirations with those of our nation’s vision and mission, adding that more home-grown solutions can be developed by them for the benefit of all citizens and the general populace.
While complimenting Dame Onome Joy Adeniyi on her election as National President of ICAN, the federal legislator expressed the desire of the National Assembly to support ICAN’s initiatives, stressing that he is an opponent of duplication of professional roles and organizations.
He said: “I do not believe in balkanisation or needless duplication of professional bodies and that is why I will never support a purported New NBA because I always believe that we have enough mechanisms for resolving differences or disputes rather than going to form rival bodies”.
While acknowledging the fact that other members of the National Assembly may have genuine reasons for supporting the Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria Bill 2020 which “ICAN vehemently objects to, the Deputy President of the Senate urged the Institute to take the issue before other stakeholders, including professional members of ICAN in both chambers of the National Assembly.”
Meanwhile, earlier on while receiving leaders of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on behalf of the President of the Senate, Senator Dr Ahmad Lawan, he called for further research into Covid-19 and other vaccines.
Citing the UTAS payment system developed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Omo-Agege urged pharmacists and other professional associations to develop home-grown solutions to existing challenges.
“We will take a good look at the ‘Pharmacy Council Bill’ as you requested. You can count on us moving forward. We support your position about effective regulation of the sale of prescription drugs, especially when some people sell substandard products that can harm many citizens,” he said.
On his part, Sam Ohuabunwa had called for the National Assembly’s intervention towards getting several ministries, departments and agencies to settle about N17 billion debt being owed pharmaceutical companies across the country.
According to him, the huge debt burden has almost crippled the local pharmaceutical companies production capacities across the country.
He also called for the passing of the Pharmacy Council Bill towards transforming pharmacy practice and curbing the national health security risk posed by indiscriminate importation of drugs.
He expressed concern that a ‘Bill for an Act to establish the Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians Regulatory Council of Nigeria’, which is also before the National Assembly, will not only unsettle Nigeria’s health sector but also balkanise the PSN.
