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Senators reject bill to ban spraying of naira
Sam Akpe and Senan John Murray, Abuja
Senators, on Tuesday, shot down a new Executive bill seeking to outlaw the spraying of currency at social events in the country.
They argued that the proposed law contradicted "Nigerian culture."
The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Repeal and Re-enact the Central Bank of Nigeria Bill 2006," was criticised by the senators for its alleged insensitivity to the Nigerian practice of spraying currency notes on couples at weddings, and at other social occasions.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the Deputy Senate Leader, Dr. Jonathan Zwingina, told Tuesday's plenary session that it was intended to "promote stability and continuity in economic management, (and) ensure that the Central Bank of Nigeria remains an independent body in the discharge of its functions."
Although Zwingina was to later disown the bill, he also told his colleagues that it was proposed to "promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and ensure monetary and price stability."
Section 20(4) of the bill states, "Any person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than six months, or to a fine not less that N50,000, or to such fine and imprisonment."
The bill also prohibits "adoring, decorating or spraying anything on any person or any part of any person with Naira notes or coins, or sticking of Naira notes or coins in similar manner regardless of the amount, occasion or intent."
Zwingina said that tampering with currency, included defacing Naira notes by "stumping, engraving, mutilating, piercing, stapling, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing or any other form of deliberate and wilful abuse."
No sooner had Zwingina taken his seat, however, than stiff opposition was launched to the bill.
The Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Prof. Daniel Saror, argued that rather than address fundamental issues hindering the effective operation of the CBN, the bill focused on non-essential issues.
He added, "The problem with the Nigerian economy and the operations of the CBN are more fundamental than outlawing the practice of spraying money at social functions. I, therefore, think this bill is unnecessary and should be thrown out."
In his contribution, the Deputy President of the Senate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, agreed with the "spirit" of the bill.
But he said outlawing the practice of spraying money at social events was "contrary to our culture."
Senator Idris Kuta (Niger East) supported Mantu's argument. But he wanted the clause seeking to ban the spraying of money at social events to be deleted immediately from the bill "if we must go ahead to consider this bill."
Kuta's suggestion was rejected by the President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, who reminded him that such an action would contradict Senate's procedures.
Senator Mohammed Daggash (Borno North), who also advised the Senate against passing the bill into law, reminded his colleagues that "it will be foolhardy to think we can outlaw spraying of Naira at ceremonies." He added, "It's our traditional way of doing things."
Realising that the majority of senators were against the bill, Zwingina rose and told his colleagues that he had advised the CBN Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, against sending such a bill to the National Assembly. He said, "I told the CBN governor that it was an unpopular bill."
To save the bill from outright rejection, however, Zwingina prayed the Senate to stand it down, indicating that it could be re-introduced in the Senate much later "if need be."
The Deputy Senate Leader later told a news conference, "It was an unpopular bill, it was not my bill, but I just led the debate on its general principles because it was my job as a Senate leader."
The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader, Alhaji Dalhatu Tafida, but was sent to the National Assembly by the President on April 12, 2006.
The PUNCH, Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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