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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has signed into law, 10 bills recently passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.
Alia signed the bills on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the old banquet hall, Government House, Makurdi explaining that the laws were meant to protect the general safety of Benue people and also ensure that their rights as citizens are not abused by other people.
The laws now include “A Law to Make Provisions for Benue State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency and Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024
“A Law to Prohibit Harassment, Extortion of Money from Land Developers (Marching Ground), Violent and Fraudulent Conducts in Relation to Landed Properties and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024
“A Law to Provide for the Establishment of Benue State Civil Protection Guards and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024. Here, the Livestock Guards and the Community Volunteer Guards will be merged.
Others include “A Law to Establish the Benue State Legislative Budget and Research Office and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024.
“A Law to Repeal a Law to make Provisions for the Maintenance of the Former Elected Governors of the State and their Deputies and for Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024.
“A Law to Provide for Benue State Youth Development Commission, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024.
“A Law to Amend the Public Procurement Commission Law and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024.
“A Law to Regulate the Engagement of Casual Workers in the Benue State Public Service and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024.”
He also signed “A Law to Provide for the Retirement of Magistrate, Judges and Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024 as well as “A Law to Regulate the Benue State House of Assembly Commission Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024.”
While assenting to the bills, the Governor advised the people of the state to forget about partisanship when it comes to law and order, stressing that what he signed into law had nothing to do with APC, PDP, APGA, Labour or any other party.
He said he signed into law what would make the people understand that Benue is their home and that they would protect their home and pass on those coming after them their genuineness, their legitimacy, their sincerity, and their truth, adding that the already existing Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was not tampered with.
Governor Alia who revealed the intention of his administration to guarantee wholesome peace in Benue State, warned against intra and inter state crises and called on traditional rulers to see what they could do to ensure that permanent peace returns in their respective communities.
Presenting the bills to the Governor, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh said the bills were a testament to the commitment of the 10th Benue Assembly to making laws that will impact positively the people of the state
Earlier, the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim explained that no part of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was repealed.
Local Government Caretaker Chairmen, the leadership of the 10th Benue Assembly, and some traditional rulers across the three zones in the state witnessed the exercise.
