What is the infectious disease bill in Nigeria and how does it work?

Nigeria is tearing down over the infectious disease bill which many say that the government is treating like a dictatorship medium. As it is, the Federal House of Representatives believes that that COVID-19 pandemic is a good time to introduce the bill.

However, Nigerians are perceiving deception within the bill and argue that the government should focus more on finding a vaccine for COVID-19 like the rest of the world.

What is the infectious disease bill in Nigeria?

The infectious disease bill in Nigeria is a replacement for the National Quarantine Act. The bill will provide the government with absolute powers to control disease outbreaks.

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However, the police and NCDC gets unruly powers to eliminate anyone whom they suspect is sick of an infectious disease.

Though opposed by many in the Federal House of Representatives, the bill has passed its second hearing under an alias title.

Social media users have also tagged the bill unfriendly. They say that it could take away even the most basic of human rights in Nigeria. Here are a few claims with reference parts of the bill that they are making:

The bill gives power to the police to detain without proof and arrest without a warrant a person whom they suspect is sick of an infectious disease.

If that is correctly interpreted, the Director-General of NCDC is receiving the order to use any kind of force required and will be justified by the court in Nigeria.

They have the power to fine or jail offenders of the order for a 6 to 12 months term depending on the section of the bill.

The infectious disease bill will supposedly destroy human rights as many claims. Therefore they are requesting that the bill passes through a public hearing.

The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the sponsor of the bill have said that there will be a public hearing.

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