By correspondent in Lokoja.
,,,, Human rights expert commends.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,on Thursday, signed the Bill seeking to establish the Kogi State Anti- Corruption Agency and other matters connected therewith, 2024 as well as six others, recently passed by the state House of Assembly, into law.
Our correspondent reports that,Ododo, who assented to the bills in the presence of the, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Umar Yusuf and other members and some of his cabinet members at Government House Lokoja, appealed to the people to embrace the new laws for rapid social and economic development of the state.
Ododo described the laws as people’s laws, stressing that the his assent to the bills was in line with his promise to lead with transparency, accountability and fear of God.
The Governor noted that the new set of laws would serve as catalyst for rapid social and economic development of Kogi State as they deal directly with critical aspects of the lives of the people.
He said: “These laws, combined together, can be referred to as the people’s Acts. All the laws have direct bearing on the lives of our people and this the reason why we are here.
“Let it be known that under my administration, no body is above the law.
“This is in line with my promise to lead with the fear of God and to ensure that our resources work for the people of the state”.
The Governor enjoined the people of the state, especially those in positions of authority, to embrace the new laws and familiarize themselves with their provisions.
The seven new laws are; “A Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law 2014 and for other matters connected therewith, 2024;
“A Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, 1998 and other matters connected therewith, 2024;
“A Law to establish the Kogi State Electricity Market and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission to Regulate Electricity Generation, Transmission, System Operation Distribution, Supply and Promote Access to Electricity in the State.
…Through increased Private Sector Investments or Public Private Partnership in Grid, Multi-Grid and other Off-grid Electricity Option using Renewable and Non-renewable Fuel Sources in the State and other Purposes Connected Therewith, 2024;
“A Law to Establish the Kogi State Anti Corruption Agency and other matters connected therewith, 2024;
“Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law, 2024;
“The Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency Law, 2024 and the Kogi State Urban Planning Law, 2024 and
“Kogi State Urban Development Law, 2024.”
Speaking earlier while presenting the passed bills to the governor for his assent, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, said that the laws were made to go through the hands of the best brains around.
He described them as “Best Surgeons” for effective scrutiny, debates, and assessment before their passage by the Assembly.
The Speaker added that the decision of members of the Assembly to give the bills necessary concentration was in view of their ability to better the lives of citizens
According to the speaker, the present crop of members in the current 8th Legislative Assembly had the best interest of the citizens at heart.
Meanwhile,Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, CHRCR Lokoja Kogi,Mr.Idris miliki Abdul, commended the signing the bills into law.
In a statement he signed and copied The Reporters on Thursday,Abdul said ” The signing into law the Anti-corruption Bill, by the Kogi State governor, is commendable.
“We hope the necessary framework and machinery will be put in place for proper implementation.”
