The Lagos State House of Assembly has moved to protect companies and individuals private information, as the State Data Protection Bill passed through the second reading at plenary on Monday.
Presenting the bill, Mr Lanre Afinni, representing Lagos Island 2, explained that the objective is to monitor data processors to avoid manipulation.
He said further that an individual must give consent before their information is released to the public. “This bill will help to protect the human rights of our people,” Afinni said.
In his contribution, Mr Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2) said that if the bill is passed into law, it would reduce cybercrime and protect the data of both public and private companies.
“If the bill is enacted into law, it will protect data and also enhance our economic potentials. People will want to put data in our possession,” he said.
Mr Rotimi Abiru, representing Shomolu Constituency 2, argued that the bill would generate revenue for the state, saying that there was a need to take precautions, knowing fully well that businesses were recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his explanation, Mr Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) said that the bill was apt because of technological advancement.
“The bill will prevent fraud and transferring of information without the consent of the owner,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim Layode, representing Badagry Constituency 1, believed that instead of creating another Commission, Lagos State Registration Agency (LASRA) could take up the responsibility.” I see it as a waste of time and resources if we creat another Commission for this purpose,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr David Setonji, said that he was apprehensive about the section of the bill about human rights and urged the committee to look at this critically.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa subsequently committed the bill into the House Committees on Science and Technology headed by Mr Lanre Afinni to report back to the House in two weeks.
The House later adjourned sitting to Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
