Nasarawa State House of Assembly orders Lands and Public Complaints Committees to investigate and question the State Lands Commissioner, NASIDA’s Director General, and the community leader of Ekye Development Area over alleged illegal sale of 9,000 hectares of land in Doma’s Ekye area.
Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the House, issued the directive following Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar’s discussion of the issue under matters of public interest during Lafia’s House proceedings today.
The Speaker condemned the forceful acquisition of land by some individuals in the community.
” Unfortunately, we are witnessing this type of thing in this era.”
“I believe that the bill on the Issuance of Land Consent, currently before the House, will address this issue if it is finally passed into law.”
” I will instruct the House Committee on Lands and Public Complaints to summon the State Commissioner for Land, the NASIDA official, Ekye community leader, and all parties involved for questioning and to submit their findings within two weeks.”
The Speaker urged the committee to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the true position of the issue at hand.
Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, representing Doma South constituency, brought up the issue under matters of public interest, claiming that some individuals seek to forcibly seize 9,000 hectares of land in Ekye Development Area.
” Mr. Speaker and Honorable colleagues, three weeks ago, the youths and residents of Agbashi contacted me, reporting that some people had brought foreigners to the community to acquire 9,000 hectares of land.”
” The community opposed giving up their land, asking how they would farm to provide for and educate their children.”
” He stated that this is the common heritage and values of our people, so where will they go if their land is taken over?”
The lawmaker urged his colleagues to help him identify those responsible for this negative act.
Also contributing, Hon. Solomon Akwashiki, Hon. Esson Mairiga, Hon. Sulaiman Yakubu Azara, and Rt. Hon. Muhammad Oyanki, the Deputy Speaker, frowned at such attitudes.
They stated that the House should investigate the matter and ensure justice is served, to serve as a deterrent to others.
As part of efforts to enhance service delivery, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is repositioning the State Fire Service.
The bill establishing the Fire Service and Rescue Agency has progressed to its second reading in the House.
A Bill to Establish the Nasarawa State Fire and Rescue Service Agency, Providing for Fire Suppression, Rescue of Persons and Animals, and Related Matters.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, announced the bill’s passage to second reading during today’s House proceedings in Lafia.
According to Speaker Jatau, the bill would reposition the state’s fire service if it becomes law.
The speaker subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Works and Transport to work on it and report back to the House by October 21, 2024.
While presenting the bill, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, Majority Leader of the House, explained that it aims to reposition the agency to offer improved firefighting and rescue services to the state.
The bill garnered additional support from Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba, Hon. Jacob Ajegana Kudu, Hon. Barr. Esson Mairiga, and Hon. Dr. Peter Ibrahim Akwe, facilitating its progression to second reading.
They stated that the bill’s passage and assent would also tackle challenges related to fire outbreaks and other disasters in the state.
Passage of the bill would generate employment and save lives and property in the state, they said.
Hon. Sulaiman Yakubu Azara, the House Majority Leader, moved the motion for the bill’s second reading, and it was seconded by Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Minority Leader.
The bill was unanimously passed by the House to its second reading.
Following Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar’s defection, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, announced Hon. Onarigu Onah Kana, representing Udege/Loko constituency, as the new Deputy Minority Leader. The Speaker congratulated him and wished him well.
