Some experts in the auctioneering industry has urged the House of Representatives to expedite actions on the passage of the Chartered Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (CIAN) bill.
In a statement jointly signed by the experts on Sunday in Abuja, they called on the House to step down the bill on Auctioneers Registration Council as it would be a duplication of already existing laws.
This is according to the Chairman of Certified Institute of Auctioneers (CIAN) Mr Hillary Nwaukor, the Registrar of CIAN, Mr Adeleke Hassan and the President of United Auction House, Dr Jogunola Onabanjo.
Nwaukor explained that the CIAN bill was initiated since 2013 during the 7th Assembly and had passed through Third Reading during the 8th and 9th Assemblies of both chambers at the National Assembly.
He revealed that the CIAN bill had been re-gazetted in November 2023 for consideration at the Committee of the Whole in the green chambers.
He, therefore, said that the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill was not necessary.
He emphasised that the CIAN bill has adequately addressed the training and certification of auctioneers and enjoyed overwhelming public support from other sister organisations such as National Association of Auctioneers among others.
“We therefore observed with much curiosity as well the rationale behind the accelerated consideration being given to a bill that was introduced at the First Reading on, June, 5, and on June 6, and was referred to the Committee of the Whole in the house.
“It is in contradiction to extant legislative practices and conventions because at no given time was the Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill passed through Third Reading in the previous assemblies.
“While we urge our esteemed legislators to ensure adherence to due process and legislative practice and conventions.
“We wish to observe that the new Auctioneers Registration Council bill (HB 1508) will lead to a double licensing arrangement which makes auctioneers to be licensed at both the federal and state levels.
“The CIAN bill is meant to promote professionalism, regulation and control of auctioneers body of skills and knowledge required for the profession,” he said.
Nwaukor said that the institute in its efforts to develop and deepen the practice of auctioneers in Nigeria already collaborated with state governments and higher institutions in the training and certification of auctioneers across the country.
He said that the institute was also aware that auction business in Nigeria is on the concurrent list of the Constitution.
He stressed that many states in the country already had laws on licensing of auctioneers hence the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council bill will amount to duplication and constitutional conflict.
He, therefore, stated that the Auctioneers Registration Council bill if passed into law, will be killing the profession and stifling the development of the profession across the country. (NAN)
By EricJames Ochigbo
