Abuja, March 20, 2019 (NAN) The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking the establishment of the Nigerian Council for Psychologists for proper regulation of the psychology profession in the country.
The Nigerian Council for Psychologists (Establishment) Bill, 2018, also aims at ridding the profession of quacks to guarantee qualitative service delivery to Nigerians.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters presented by its Chairman, Sen. Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central).
In the report, the committee noted that the proposed council would ensure that only « qualified and certified psychologists are allowed to practice in Nigeria ».
This, it said, will guarantee the provision of qualitative psychological services to Nigerians.
« The passage of the bill will ensure that the psychology profession is properly regulated and rid of charlatans, who have exploited vulnerable Nigerians in the guise of being professional psychologists.
« A well-coordinated and regulated psychology can complement government’s efforts towards national development, » the committee said.
Also passed are the National Orientation Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and the National Fertiliser Quality (Control) Act Bill, 2019.
Sponsored by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi West), the NOA Act amendment bill seeks to provide legal and operational frameworks for the Global Initiative for Harmony in Nigeria.
The objectives include promotion of inter-ethnic integration, cohesion, mutual understanding, patriotism and solidarity among Nigerians at home and abroad.
It also seeks to « advocate and inculcate among Nigerians the true spirit of nationalism, love for one another and respect for the Constitution and loyalty to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ».
Among other objectives, the National Fertiliser Quality (Control) Act Bill aims at standardising the production and distribution of fertiliser in the country.
This bill is coming amid complaints by farmers and other stakeholders about the poor quality of fertiliser in circulation in the country.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the lawmakers also confirmed the appointment of Dr Abdu Abubakar as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
