The Benue State House of Assembly has taken a major step towards strengthening the state’s digital economy with the passage of the Tech-Enabled Startup Development Bill into law. The legislation, which seeks to domesticate the Nigeria Startup Act, 2022, was passed during Thursday’s plenary after successfully scaling through its third reading. The sitting was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Zape Michael Upaa, the Assembly said the new law was designed to create an enabling environment for technology-driven businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship to flourish in Benue. The Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Hon. Kennedy Angbo, who presented the bill, said its overarching objective was to position Benue as a leading technology ecosystem in Nigeria. He explained that the legislation would provide mechanisms for talent development, access to funding, incentives, collaboration and investment promotion, thereby opening new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and technology innovators across the state. The Assembly’s passage of the bill is expected to strengthen youth participation in the digital economy while encouraging the development of innovative solutions to social and economic challenges.
The House also received the report of its Standing Committee on Youth and Sports following a working visit to the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi to assess the progress and status of the contract for the renovation and upgrading of the facility. The committee recommended that the Benue State Government should endeavour to honour its contractual obligations to Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited through timely payments, warning that delays could lead to project abandonment, unnecessary contractual delays and possible litigation. It also commended the state government for its decision to upgrade the Aper Aku Stadium to FIFA standard, urging the government to sustain the project until completion. In another recommendation, the committee called on the Benue State House of Assembly to formally withdraw its petition against Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noting that the move would demonstrate good faith and facilitate an amicable resolution of the issues surrounding the project.
The latest legislative actions underscore the Assembly’s focus on policies and interventions capable of promoting youth empowerment, technological innovation, investment and sustainable development in Benue State.
