The Senate on Tuesday stripped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of powers to recommend candidates to the President for appointment as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and board members of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Under the new arrangement, the Red Chamber amended the NDIC Act and gave the President power to directly appoint qualified persons into the board of the agency without input from the CBN.

The new provision is contained in the NDIC Act amendment Bill which was read for the third time and passed by the red chamber on Tuesday during plenary.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions that considered the Bill chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC ? Lagos East).

The Bill titled: ?Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act No 33 of 2023,? was sponsored by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC ? Lagos East) and all members of the Senate Committee of on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.

Presenting the report, Abiru said the amendment Bill was meant to strengthen the capacity of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation?s capacity to safeguard depositors, ensure the stability of financial institutions, and promote trust in the banking system.

He said the bill would also make the NDIC, more effective, safeguard its independence and autonomy and bring it in line with current realities and best practices.

He said the Bill consolidated the powers of the President to appoint the Chairman and members of the board of the NDIC while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which hitherto recommended prospective appointees to the President would now concentrate on its supervisory roles in the banking sector.

According to him, the NDIC board based on the new amendment to its Act, would focus on the examination of the banks.

He noted that despite the fact that the NDIC Act 2023 made substantial improvements to the 2006 Act, its implementation had been contentious.

He noted that the stakeholders had consistently engaged in series of appeals on the need for an amendment of the Act to address all the issues that have been raised concerning it.

Abiru said, ?The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is thus a critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the Nigerian financial system.

?The proposed amendments will enhance the NDIC?s capacity to safeguard depositors, ensure the stability of financial institutions, and promote trust in the banking system.

?Given the rapidly evolving nature of the financial sector, this Bill represents a timely response to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.?

Besides, Abiru said that the current Bill would lay to rest once and for all, the claims that the bill that was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was materially different from what was passed by the 9th National Assembly.

?To further empower the corporation by guaranteeing its independence in performing its statutory functions in line with Section 1 (3) of the principal Act.

?The principal (2023) Act curiously restricts the President?s power to appoint the Managing Director and Executive Directors and provides that they are to be to persons recommended by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor.

?The (2024) bill (now) seeks to amend this provision to bring it in line with and in consonance with Mr. President?s power of appointment as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

?The provisions of the Principal Act which makes the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance the Chairman of the Board is also being reviewed.

?This is because the workload and busy schedule of that office is such that makes such appointment untenable.

?The importance of the need for the Minister of Finance to constitute an Interim Management Committee for the Corporation within 30 days after the expiration or termination of the tenure of the Board is also introduced in the bill.

?This is to forestall the recent situation where the Corporation faced challenges in its operations as a result of the absence of a board,? Abiru said.

Abiru said there was a general agreement among stakeholders of the importance of the NDIC as it was set up for the purpose of the protection of depositors and to guarantee the settlement of insured funds when a deposit-taking financial institution can no longer repay their deposits, thereby helping to maintain financial system stability.

He said, ?Considering the above therefore, the general consensus among stakeholders was that it is important that the legal framework is reviewed.

?This is to make the Corporation more effective to discharge its functions, safeguard its independence and autonomy and to bring it in line with current realities and best practices.

?This is particularly because the Corporation plays a vital role in safeguarding the interests of depositors and promoting confidence in the financial sector.

?The evolving challenges in the global and domestic banking environments necessitate the amendment of the current law to keep pace with these developments and ensure the NDIC remains fit for purpose,? he added.

Abiru said over 30 written memoranda and numerous oral submissions were received. All the written memoranda and oral presentations at the hearing supported the bill.

Senators approved that the Bill be read for third time and passed when the recommendation of the committee was put to voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin who presided over plenary. (The Nation)

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