ABUJA—Future ministerial nominees may have to provide a security clearance certificate.

A Bill to make that a reality is entitled “An Act to make provisions that will enable the National Assembly to be more effective in screening ministers of the Federal Government of the Federation Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 147 of the 1999 constitution and for Matters Relating Thereto”.

The sponsor of the Bill, Rep. Friday Itulah (PDP/ Edo), told newsmen yesterday that the National Assembly was working hard to put to an end to the slip-shod ministerial screening episodes, where politicians were confirmed based on political consideration.

The Lawmaker regretted that the absence of rigorous screening process over the years has produced some bad ministers who have negatively impacted on the economy and politics of the Country.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 147 of the Constitution, the President shall in submitting the names of Ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, clearly indicate the portfolio for which he intends the nominees to occupy.

“The nominees shall upon confirmation occupy only the portfolios for which the President had indicated in Section 1.”