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The Benue State House of Assembly has intensified efforts toward inclusive governance by conducting a public hearing on four proposed bills aimed at addressing critical areas of the state’s development.
During the plenary session in Makurdi, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Lami Danladi Lawrence, described the exercise as a demonstration of the Assembly’s commitment to passing laws that reflect the real needs and expectations of the people of Benue.
One of the major proposals under consideration is a bill to provide free treatment for snakebite victims in public hospitals across the state. The legislation also seeks to establish a control committee to coordinate responses to snakebite incidents, which remain a serious but often overlooked threat, particularly in rural farming communities.
Other bills under review include the establishment of the Benue State Road Maintenance Agency (BENROMA), the creation of the Forestry, Mines and Solid Minerals Management Commission, and a bill to repeal and re-enact the Benue State Local Government Law of 2007. These proposals are intended to modernise local government administration, strengthen accountability, enhance service delivery, and align operations at the grassroots with current realities.
The Speaker explained that the bills are crucial for reinforcing governance systems and improving service delivery throughout the state. He noted that the public hearing was organised to gather contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, civil society groups, experts, and members of the public.
All submissions and memoranda, he assured, would undergo thorough scrutiny by the appropriate standing committees to ensure the eventual laws reflect the collective interest of the people.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Sir Thomas Dugereri, stressed that the hearing goes beyond a routine legislative step, describing it as an essential pillar of democratic governance. He emphasised the Assembly’s determination to involve citizens directly in the lawmaking process.
The public hearing, coming shortly after a previous one, underscores the Benue State House of Assembly’s steady commitment to legislative reforms that promote good governance, public welfare, and sustainable development in the state.
