Benue Assembly passes bill for Civil protection, Magistrates remuneration

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

A bill for a law to establish the Benue civil protection guard has been read for the second time on the floor of the Benue state House of Assembly.

In a leading debate on the bill, the house Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer said Benue State and her citizenry have been  prone to attacks by various militia groups.

Hon. Tiseer explained that a speedy passage of the bill would enable the state take the center stage of their own security and protection and moved that the bill be read for the second time.

Seconding the motion for the second reading, the house Minority Leader, Mr Michael Audu further explained that they valued the security of their constituents and appealed to members to support the bill overwhelmingly.

In a unanimous decision, the house agreed that the bill be read for the second time.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh invited the Clerk, Mr Bernard Nule to read it for the second time and it was referred to the rules and business committee for further legislative scrutiny.

In a related  development, the bill for a law to provide for a retirement age and improve remuneration for Magistrates also passed second reading on the floor of the house.

Also in a lead debate, the Majority Leader expressed worry that the Magistrates do not have accommodations, protection and official vehicles.

He further stated that the Magistrates should be respected and protected so as to be motivated to do their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

“Imagine a Magistrate who is handling a kidnapping or terrorism case and he is still using a motorcycle as his means of transportation, that one is already open to attacks,” the Majority Leader stressed.

He moved that the bill be read for the second time and it was seconded by Audu.

The House agreed that the bill be read for the second time and the Speaker referred it to the rules and business committee for further scrutiny.