EHIME ALEX, Lagos
In a virtual policy sprint that lasted for 72 hours, Startup by A&E Law and Paradigm Initiative have led the development of a draft Coronavirus Regulation which States in Nigeria can adopt to guide their response to the global pandemic.
According to the companies in a statement on Monday, the Regulation which was drafted in line with the Quarantine Act (CAP Q2 LFN 2004) sets out a defined lockdown period during which a State Governor may impose such restrictions as may be necessary to help forestall the pandemic.
The Draft has provisions to ensure adherence to defined timeframes to ensure proportionality in its application, the companies stated.
Also, the Draft Regulation which has 12 clauses also sets out the declarations prescribed by the Quarantine Act on a dangerous infectious disease and the local area (State) to which it applies.
While speaking on the development, Paradigm Initiative’s Program Manager, Digital Rights, Adeboye Adegoke said, “We have worked with Startup by A&E Law and other members of the Nigerian community online to produce a standard Regulation that reflects our shared commitment to combating this pandemic.
“As a digital right organisation, we ensured that the draft has digital rights provision to safeguard against potential abuse and to ensure that the measures being taken by States at this time are lawful, necessary, appropriate, periodic, and transparent.”
On her part, Naro Omo-Osagie of Start-up by A&E Law described it as a glimpse into law and policymaking in an increasingly digitized future.
Omo-Osagie, who expressed her appreciation to all the individuals and organizations whose support and guidance contributed to the final document, said that they were inspired to Crowdsource a Draft Regulation for Nigerian States after the Covid19 Policy Hackathon organized by LawyersHub Kenya.
Thanking Lawyers Hub Kenya, the Africa Law Tech Association and in particular, Paradigm Initiative whose collaboration and input made the sprint possible, she further stated that Startup by A&E Law is happy to connect with States seeking to adopt the Draft Regulations for their own use.
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply