Providing quality and good representation, law making and embarking on oversights are part of the main duties of the legislative arm. With just few weeks to the end of the present assembly, it is imperative to take a look at some key legislative activities of the ninth Plateau State House of Assembly. Here are few of the laws and bills moved from
June 2019, when it was inaugurated.
A Bill for a Law to Provide for Anti- Land Grabbing, Kidnapping, Cultism and Related Matters, 2020. Interestingly, passed into law after the state executive governor gave his assent last year.
A Bill for a Law to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life, prohibit all Forms of Violence including Physical, Sexual Psychological, Domestic, Harmful Traditional Practices, Discrimination Against Persons and to Provide Maximum Protection and Effective Remedies for Victims and Punishment of Offenders, and for Other Matters related, 2020.
A Bill for a Law to Establish the Plateau State Displaced Persons Commission and for other Related Matters, 2021. This bill has passed first and second readings and have been committed to the House Committee on Judiciary to conduct a public hearing.
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: According to some school of thought, resolutions reached by the Plateau State House of Assembly are considered advises since all oars lies on the executive who does the implementation. Here are a few of these motions and resolutions.
A call on the security agencies to urgently investigate the constant harassment and killings of the good people of Bokkos constituency.
Resolution reached was the House calling on the executive arm of Government to provide security in the affected communities. Second, that SEMA and other relevant agencies should as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the affected victims in all the various communities in providing succor in terms food items, clothing and other necessities of life.
Matter of urgent public importance on illegal motor parks on roadsides within Jos- Bukuru metropolis and its environs.
Resolution reached by the House on the matter was that the Police and the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service should ensure that such parks are properly organized to avoid the breakdown of law and order, and to create other means of generating revenue for the Plateau State government.
A motion on adjournment on the activities of cultist gangs operating in Jos and its environs.
Resolution: The House condemned in totality the activities of cultic gangs operating in some parts of Jos and environs, while also calling on the state government to work with security agencies in order to curtail cultist gangs’ activities in Plateau State.
The unending conflicts between border settlements of Wadata in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State and Kurmi in Taraba State resulted in several loss of lives and massive displacement of residents within the communities.
Resolution: The House called on the Government of Plateau State to provide the affected victims with the needed medical care and relief materials. Secondly, that Government should liaise with Taraba State Government to prevent any form of conflict.
A matter of urgent public importance on the fire outbreak at the Laranto Market (Katako) which led to colossal loss of properties.
Resolution: The House called on the state government to provide a Fire Service Station outlet within the premises of all markets in Jos metropolis.
Another matter of urgent public importance on the need to take decisive action on the abduction and gruesome murder of Plateau citizens by Boko Haram in the northeastern part of the country.
Resolution: That Government should authorize the deployment of Nigerian troops along the northeast and all other troubled spots in the country so as to safely guide the lives and property of citizens.
A call on the Plateau State government to as a matter of urgency consider the resettlement and rehabilitation of victims of attacks in Rukuba/ Irigwe constituency.
Resolution: That the House was calling on the State government to as a matter of urgency, resettle and rehabilitate the victims of attacks in Rukuba/Irigwe and other affected parts of Plateau State.
A call on the Plateau State government to urgently consider the re-design of the state security structure in order to curb the incessant attacks on communities across the state.
Resolution: That the Government should deploy more security to protect the affected communities and fish out perpetrators for immediate prosecution.
A call on the Plateau State government on the need to ban daytime movement of heavy-duty trucks, trailers and fuel tankers within Jos and Bukuru metropolis.
Resolution: That the state government should provide short term alternative routes and long-term planned routes to reduce loss of lives and property.
A call on the Plateau State government to ensure that justice was done over the killing of Ritji Peter Bala.
Resolution: The House deeply sympathized and condoled the bereaved family and condemned in strong terms the killing of Ritji Bala and also Dr. Nandi Drenkat. That the state government should liaise with the federal government to fish out perpetrators for immediate prosecution.
A matter of urgent public importance on the need to protect pedestrian lives on the stretch of the road between Hill Station Hotel and the Polo roundabout.
Resolution: The House sympathized with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the many accidents occuring at Polo roundabout, and called on the Plateau State government to, as a matter of urgency, direct the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) and other related authorities to construct speed bumps from the Hill Station Hotel roundabout to Polo roundabout, with a two-week ultimatum given.
A call on the Plateau State government to put in place stringent measures to curtail the rising incidents of rape in the state.
Resolution: The House condemned in totality the act of violence and other forms of hideous crimes perpetrated on children by rapists. Also, that Government should empower relevant MDAs to conduct advocacy on social behavioral change.
A matter of urgent public importance on an attack in Rotsu village of Miango district in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Resolution: That the coordinator of the state Operation Rainbow and Neighborhood Watch be invited for a meeting with the principal officers of the House, and the House Committee on Labour and Security on Friday 24/7/2020.
Another matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Plateau State government to strengthen the services of security agencies in Plateau State, especially Operation Rainbow and to provide armed security men for traditional rulers.
Resolution: Again, that the Plateau State government should strengthen the Operation Rainbow and Neighborhood Watch outfit.
Matter of urgent public importance on the need for Plateau State government to caution the Joint Patrol team of security operatives checking roads to be modest in their approach to motorists.
Resolution: That the House Committee on Works and Transport should invite the Joint Security Operative, Federal Road Safety Corp, Police Force and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) to the House for a parley on 8th June 2021.
A matter of urgent public importance on the increasing cases of wanton destructions of crops on farmlands by Fulani herders in Rikwe, Chongu and Zou communities of Rukuba/ Irigwe constituency.
Resolution: That the Operation Rainbow should be more proactive in halting security challenges in the state.
