By PAULINE DALLONG
A legislature is known all over the world as a deliberative assembly with the authority or power to make laws for a political entity such as a country or entity.
Legislatures form important parts of most government in the separation of powers model, they are often contrasted with the executive and judicial arms of government.
One may ask what the main function of a legislature in a state is. It is primarily to make laws that apply to that state. However, they also do have other functions. For example, they participate in oversight of the executive arm. That means that they look into what the agencies of government are doing to make sure that those agencies are acting in accordance with what the legislative wants that will in turn be beneficial to the people they represent.
Interestingly, the 9th Plateau State House of Assembly (PLHA), just turned one year in office, as it was inaugurated on the 10 June, 2020. Having gone through this period in the state legislative process, there must certainly be some achievements recorded so far.
Looking at the composition of members in the 9th Assembly, one would not be wrong to describe it as vibrant and youthful, considering the fact that majority of the elected members fall under that category with the leader said to be the youngest speaker so far in the history of the PLHA.
It would be recalled that on assumption of office, the PLHA under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba, set out to operate a transparent and open door policy, aligning itself with ideas that will project the image of the Assembly in good light. What was uppermost for the Assembly was for it to make people oriented laws, in line with the state government’s policies aimed at moving the state forward and has not relented in doing so.
Worthy of mention is the leadership style of the speaker. Even though considered to be the youngest, the unity and good relationship among members, irrespective of party affiliation cannot go unnoticed. His level of maturity and humility as attested to by both members and non members has earned him commendations and accolades. This singular act has also made it easy for the legislative arm to partner with other arms of government, including stakeholders.
The Plateau State House of Assembly, has witnessed many debates from members, which is now synonymous with the 9th Assembly. These debates are as a result of several motions brought before the floor of the House on matters of urgent public importance, pending bills, annual budget, implementation of the government’s policies, issues bordering on security and so many other matters.
Similarly, these debates have provided a foundation and subsequently, platform for the various legal frameworks that will eventually deliver the much desired dividends of democracy to the electorates who have bestowed so much confidence on their legislators.
Several motions were presented, top among is on the issue of security. The incessant attacks and killings on communities across the different constituencies prompted the leadership of the House into constituting various committees saddled with the responsibility of meeting with relevant stakeholders in order to find a lasting solution, or at least reduce it to the barest minimum.
It is pertinent to note that one such motion was on the creation of community policing which interestingly, the Plateau State government has adopted and is working towards its implementation.
Concerned by the security challenges bedevilling the state, the PLHA under its leadership who has been in the forefront of championing the need for peace and peaceful co-existence on the Plateau, personally embarked on visits to some of the affected communities, not just to condole with them but to encourage and reassure them that Government was doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators to book and of course, put an end to the killings.
Having the belief that development can only thrive and be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, Abok Ayuba’s first assignment when he assumed office was to embark on a familiarization visit of all security agencies stationed in the state. This is to intimate them about his concerns and the concern of the state with the aim of partnering with them in whatever way possible in order to safeguard the lives and property of every citizen.
Also, recall that as the country began witnessing a spread from the outbreak of corona virus pandemic (COVID 19) that resulted in so much economic hardship, the leadership of the PLHA in their magnanimity, decided to forfeit half of their May salaries to the state Covid- 19 trust fund to help boost and augment the state governments effort towards providing palliatives to the less privilege and vulnerable members of the society.
This gesture was applauded by many as they expressed delight with their representatives for the show of love and sacrifice, considering the present economic predicament. Apart from donations, to their various constituencies and creating awareness on the dangers of of the deadly disease, the House embarked on oversight visits to border areas within the state to ascertain the level of compliance to the government’s directives on lockdown and border closure. This it was hoped, will help in curbing the spread of the pandemic.
Looking at the achievements of the 9th Assembly would not be complete without mentioning the number of bills passed within the period of one year. The Plateau State House of Assembly has passed six (6) bills into law out of the sixty three (63) bills so far presented before the House. One will not fail to mention the 2020 Appropriation Bill, which was passed into law in December, 2019. This is the first assembly in the history of the PLHA to have passed an appropriated bill into law before the year ends. Note, that there are other important bills pending before the House which are presently going through the various stages of legislation.
