President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assenting to the National
Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Bill and that of the Nigeria Tourism Development
Authority (NTDA), thus bringing the number of rejected bills to 41 since June
9, 2015.
Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Bill and that of the Nigeria Tourism Development
Authority (NTDA), thus bringing the number of rejected bills to 41 since June
9, 2015.
Buhari conveyed his decision to withdraw assent to the Nigeria
Tourism Development Authority Bill and Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority Bill
in two separate letters to Senate President, Bukola Saraki and read at plenary Wednesday.
Tourism Development Authority Bill and Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority Bill
in two separate letters to Senate President, Bukola Saraki and read at plenary Wednesday.
Giving reasons for declining assent, President Buhari said section
14(d), section 30(2d) of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (Repeal and
re-enactment) bill contradicts section 4 (1-3) and paragraph 60 (d) of the
second schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
14(d), section 30(2d) of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (Repeal and
re-enactment) bill contradicts section 4 (1-3) and paragraph 60 (d) of the
second schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He argued that Section 30 of the bill proposed tourism fee on all
in-bound international travelers, tourism levy on all out-bound travelers and
one per cent tourism departure contribution fee per hotel room rate.
in-bound international travelers, tourism levy on all out-bound travelers and
one per cent tourism departure contribution fee per hotel room rate.
It also fixed flat fee by the authority and a one per cent
corporate tourism development levy to be charged on revenues of banks’,
telecommunications firms and other corporate entities.
corporate tourism development levy to be charged on revenues of banks’,
telecommunications firms and other corporate entities.
“This will be inimical to the growth of the tourism and
hospitality industry in the country and constitute additional burden on the
tourism business,” the letter reads.
hospitality industry in the country and constitute additional burden on the
tourism business,” the letter reads.
The President also said he rejected the Nigeria Inland Waterways
Authority (NIWA) Bill based on funding and overlap of functions.
Authority (NIWA) Bill based on funding and overlap of functions.
“The bill as currently drafted subjected the Ministry of Water
Resources, the Ministry of Environment and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to the
supervision of NIWA.
Resources, the Ministry of Environment and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to the
supervision of NIWA.
Guardian.
