PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SITUATION:

During the economic governance reforms of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Executive and DFID saw economic reform legislation as a critical component to securing and sustaining the institutional framework. In this regard, three high-priority economic governance bills were presented to the National Assembly. These were: the Fiscal Responsibility, Procurement, and Extractive Industries Transparent Initiative Bills

TASK:

To provide technical and other assistance to the government agencies responsible for securing passage of the above-mentioned bills.

APPROACH:

To ensure the secure passage of the bills C&F Porter Novelli
undertook a strategic campaign to facilitate constructive and
informed input, which was provided directly to the National Assembly
Directly and indirectly through stakeholders and the media indirectly.
Key tactics included:

• Emphasising information and transparency by ensuring that issues and concerns raised by stakeholders were addressed even-handedly.
• Executing consensus building activities and lobbying the National Assembly members
• Coalitions building with civil society organisations and professional bodies to mobilise opinion enrich media relations and motivate advocacy for the passage of the bills.
• Messages drove home the importance of putting laws in place to sustain the economic reforms

RESULT:

The Procurement and Extractive Industries Transparent Initiative Bills were passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by former President Obasanjo.

The Fiscal Responsibility Bill went through all readings in both chambers of the National Assembly and was eventually assented to by his successor President Umaru Yar’ Adua