ABUJA, Nigeria – The Senate took a significant step forward on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in addressing the victims of the 2020 EndSARS protests, as lawmakers passed the second reading of a bill aimed at compensating those affected by the crisis.
The bill, known as ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act’, was proposed by Sen. Gershom Bassey of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Cross-River.
The legislation seeks to establish the EndSARS Victims Compensation Fund, promising to bring much-needed support to those still reeling from the aftermath of the protests.
“Distinguished colleagues, you may recall that as a result of the EndSARS nationwide protests in October 2020, judicial panels of inquiry were constituted to address the demands of protesters and compensation for verified victims of the EndSARS protest,” Sen. Bassey reminded his fellow senators during the session.
The protests, which swept the nation, were marred by violence when rampaging hoodlums seized control of the demonstrations.
The subsequent chaos resulted in numerous casualties, destruction of public and private properties, and rampant looting.
However, according to Sen. Bassey, the implementation of compensation recommendations has been discouragingly slow.
“However distinguished colleagues the implementation of the recommendation of all the panels and committees regarding compensation has been very discouraging,” Bassey continued.
“The victims have been left to continually groan under the pains of injury inflicted by hoodlums during the EndSARS protest.”
Supporters of the bill hope it will bring about meaningful change, by ensuring the implementation of recommendations from both the judicial panels of inquiry and the Senate Joint Committee on EndSARS.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, it is my prayer that you support this amendment bill that seeks to bring hope to the victims of the 2020 EndSARS protest,” Bassey concluded.
After the session, Senate President Ahmed Lawan referred the bill to the Committee on Special Duties for further legislative input.
The committee has been given one week to report back to the plenary with their findings.
The proposed legislation marks a significant move towards addressing the fallout of the EndSARS protests, but how it will fare in the following readings and potential implementation remains to be seen.
