The Benue State House of Assembly on Saturday held a public hearing on four key bills aimed at strengthening governance, security, infrastructure, and agricultural development in the state.
Declaring the hearing open, the speaker, Alfred Emberga, said the legislative process was designed to accommodate the views and contributions of citizens and stakeholders, ensuring that laws passed by the House address the needs of the people.
The speaker stated that public participation remained a critical component of democratic lawmaking.
According to him, the hearing was convened to receive memoranda, suggestions, and expert opinions on four important bills currently before the House.
He listed the bills, including one seeking to provide for road traffic management and vehicle inspection and another to establish the Benue State Security Trust Fund.
Others are a bill to establish the Benue State Electricity/Power Management Agency and a bill to repeal the law establishing the Agricultural Training Centre, Mbatie, to create the College of Agriculture, Mbatie.
Mr Emberga explained that the proposed legislation was intended to improve road safety, strengthen the security architecture, enhance electricity management, and boost agricultural education and capacity development.
He emphasised that the House was committed to enacting people-oriented laws that would promote development and improve citizens’ welfare.
The speaker urged participants to freely share their thoughts, concerns, and recommendations, assuring them that all submissions would be carefully considered by the relevant House standing committees handling the bills.
He expressed confidence that the committees would carry out a thorough scrutiny of the proposed laws before presenting their reports to the house.
Mr Emberga also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his continued support for the legislature and for promoting cooperation among the arms of government.
He said the assembly appreciated the governor’s gestures and remained committed to sustaining a harmonious working relationship with the executive arm for effective governance.
The speaker further assured the public that the legislature was open to partnering with citizens and stakeholders to ensure that the people’s voices were reflected in the laws passed by the House.
He noted that active citizen participation in the law-making process would help produce legislation capable of addressing contemporary challenges and standing the test of time.
Mr Emberga also encouraged stakeholders to work collectively to build a better future for the state and for generations yet unborn.
A bill proposing the repeal and re-enactment of the Benue State Local Government Law, 2007, was stood down for consideration at a later date.
(NAN)