Gov. Bello signs 16 bills into law »

In an effort to put the state on a pedestal of growth and development, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has signed sixteen (16) bills into law.

Governor Bello who signed the bills into law on Monday in Government House, Lokoja said the laws assented to are basically needed to solidify the foundation of a viable state.

He expressed optimism that the bills passed into law, will enable Kogi State stand a much better chance legally to prosper economically and developmentally in the nearest future.

“These laws are basically the foundation of any solid state, Kogi State has been created in the last 28 years, yet no one considered these bills expedient to sign them into law.

“This effort is unprecedented, 50 bills was considered, 46 passed into law, this has never happened in the history of Kogi State, this goes to show that we have the best interest of the people at heart.

“I want to sincerely thank the outgoing 6th House of Assembly members for painstakingly taking time to go through these bills, thank you for the good job. I’m hopeful that the 7th House of Assembly will perform better,” he added.

The bills are; a law to repeal and re-enact the law establishing Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and other matters connected therewith 2018, a law to establish Kogi State Education Endowment Trust Fund and the Board of Trustees Vested with the Responsibility of Managing the Fund and other matters connected therewith 2018, a law to provide for the Establishment of Ecwa College of Nursing and Midwifery, Egbe and other matters connected therewith.

Others are; a law to provide for the establishment of Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizen’s Rights Commission and other matters connected therewith, a law to make provisions for the Establish of Celuke College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ojiapata and other matters connected therewith, and law to make provision for the Administration of the Estates of Deceased Persons in Kogi State by the Administrator-General and other matters connected therewith.

Also assented to are; a law to establish the Customary Court of Appeal of Kogi State and other matters connected therewith, a law to repeal and re-enact the law to establish Kogi State University Anyigba and other matters connected therewith, a law to make provision for the Management of Funds of the Kogi State House of Assembly and other related matters.

The rest include; a law to repeal the Kogi State Science, Technology and Technical Education Board (STTEB) Law and the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Law and enact a law to establish the Kogi State Science, Technical Education and Technical Servie Commission (STETSCOM) and other matters connected therewith, 2019, a law to provide for Effective Surveillance of Maternal and Peri-Natal Deaths and other matter connected therewith 2019, a law to provide for the enactment of the Kogi State Land Use Charge Law and other matter connected therewith 2019, a law to establish the Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supplies Managemnt Agency and other matter connected therewith 2019,

A law providing for the establishment of the Kogi State Agency for Social Sevurity and Protection of Older Citizens and other matter connected therewith 2019, a law to establish the Disability Office, Guarantee and Protect the Rights of Persons Living with Disability and other matter connected therewith 2019, a law to provide for the Financial Managemnet of the Kogi Satte Government and other matter connected therewith 2019, a law enact the Kogi State Penal Code and other matter connected therewith.

Earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole expressed appreciation to Governor Bello for the cordial relationship the legislative arm of the government had with the executive.

Hon. Kolawole said it would be on record that the 6th Assembly remains the best in the history of Kogi State and in Nigeria at large to have passed 46 bills into law, 42 executive bills and 8 private member bills.

“Whatever has a beginning has an end. We are thankful to God we are able to complete our tenure. We have 9 returning House of Assembly members. The house is going to witness a one party house members because your good works. We are equally thankful to God the state witnessed peace in our time and our relationship with the executive still remains strong,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Edward Onoja said the mixture of experienced house members and the new brought out the best in their leadership, adding that the executive arm led by Governor Bello has been very supportive and cooperative.

“I want to take this time out to appreciate you all for taken your time, to ensure that Kogi State has bills and laws, the legal frame work which the state can thrive on. We must understand that the bills that have been passed into law in the last four years substantially are needed for a great and better Kogi State. I thank the Governor for his personal sacrifices for ensuring that all these laws became a reality,” he added.