Bauchi Assembly adopts 3 motions on construction of 16km road, constitution of committee on NGOs, addressing plight of IDPs

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By Akanji Alowoludo Bauchi

Bauchi State House of Assembly has adopted a motion calling on the State Government to as a matter of urgency construct a 16 kilometers road linking Dagu with Bunga and Ningi. 

The adoption following a motion moved by the Member representing Warji Constituency, Hon. Garba Lawan moved a the need to construct the 16 kilometers road that will link Warji and Ningi LGAs together through the Dagu, Bunga and to Ningi.

Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Garba Lawan lamented that the people of the area are passing through monstrous stress of taking the toll of round trips before connecting to Ningi which is either through Ganjuwa and Gaidar Maiwa before reaching to Ningi which constitute about 50 kilometers journey or the one of over 80 kilometers that passes through Jigawa State to the far length of Gwaram, Sara, Kila, Babaldu and Nasaru before arriving Ningi, the Emirate’s headquarters.

He added that when the 16 kilometers road is constructed, it will ease the perennial hardship of passing through the pain of almost 130 kilometers round trip before reaching Ningi.

Hon. Garba Lawan therefore requested the  House to call on the State Government to construct the road so as to have easy access to the Emirate’s headquarters, Ningi and for the purpose of facilitating local economic connectivity for Improved communications and better livelihood in the area.

Hon. Bello Sarkin Jadori representing Gamawa Constituency said that the motion is timely because with the cost of fuel now constructing the road will alleviate the suffering of the members of the communities, therefore urged the House to adopt the motion.

Also, the Member representing Jama’are Constituency Hon. Mubarak Haruna, moved a motion calling on the Bauchi State House of Assembly to establish a standing committee on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Leading a debate on the motion, Hon. Mubarak Haruna that it’s a well-known fact that, many NGOs have helped Bauchi State in different areas of endeavor including education, health, agriculture, poverty alleviation etcetera to improve the quality of life of Bauchi State citizens. 

He noted that the NGOs have really expressed interest in making Bauchi State a pilot beneficiary of their development assistance in Nigeria. 

Hon. Mubarak Haruna said that  the Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, is so committed to strengthening collaboration with these NGOs in order to effectively address developmental challenges and revitalize the economy of the State through massive infrastructural development.

According to him, “It is on record that our able Governor had different occasions, sought the financial and technical support of these NGOs to actualize the vision of his administration and this development had impacted positively on the lives of Bauchi State citizens.” 

He added that, “For quite some time, NGOs have been playing important roles in educating Legislators and Staff of the Bauchi State House of Assembly on their responsibilities as members of a democratic government.” 

“They have built the capacity of members of the Legislature on how to scrutinize proposed laws, interact with constituents and exercise oversight of the executive branch,” he added.

According to him, “The NGOs have equally assisted in drafting and reviewing of many Laws in light of international standards and best practices in Bauchi State and these Laws were passed by this Hon. House.” 

The lawmaker stated that, “Some of these Laws include Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP) Law, a Law to Promote Children’s Access to Basic Education in Bauchi State, a Law to Establish a Penal Code for Bauchi State, a Law to Provide for Administration of Criminal Justice in the Courts of Bauchi State, Child Protection Law 2023 to mention but a few.”

“Mr. Speaker, Sir, Hon. Members, in a nutshell, this Hon. House has received tremendous support for training from these Partners. Several workshops and trainings were funded on ways to improve the level of productivity of Hon. Members and Staff of this Hon. House. As such, we ought to thank these Partners for prioritizing Bauchi State in their development assistance and show our commitment to forge strategic and sustainable partnerships with them for the development of our dear State.” The Member further said.

Hon. Mubarak therefore sought for the resolution of this House to establish a Standing House Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the order to strengthening the links between the Honourable House and Development Partners for the betterment of Bauchi State.

While responding to the motion, the Speaker said that the motion is important and timely because NGOs are important in enhancing the lives of the people.

Hon. Ahmed Muhammad Garba representing Dambam/Dagauda/Jalam Constituency commended the mover of the motion Hon. Mubarak Haruna. 

He Highlighted the importance of NGOs in the State, saying the impact of their work is going to the poor who voted them adding that NGOs have played role in financing so many activities in the State.

According to him, “When you go health agencies most of their activities are sponsored by NGOs, same to water resources, 70% are sponsored by NGOs, boreholes, solar are constructed by them. He stressed the need to have the committee to boost relationship between BAHA and NGOs in the State.”

Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada representing Bogoro Constituency said that the motion was very important because the importance of NGOs cannot be overemphasized. 

He said all Members are beneficiaries of NGOs because they sponsored their workshops and contributed in capacity building.

Minority Leader Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi, representing Lame Constituency said that the motion was very important because NGOs are countless and they are giving immense contribution to the State. 

According to him, “I worked with many NGOs and have done a lot for various communities. Some of them left Bauchi and moved to neighbouring states and I was wondering why. Having the Standing Committee will help a lot in strengthening their activities.”

Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir said that he worked with NGOs and know there importance, they reduced unemployment, people are working with them and getting stipend. 

He noted that the standing committee will help the Government to regulate the activities of NGOs in the State because some NGOs are doing their work without approval of the State. 

According to him, the Committee will ensure they work in line with the policy of the State. 

Hon. Hodi also explained that many projects are executed by the state government with the help of NGOs, therefore supports the establishment of the Committee.

The House therefore adopted the motion and refers the motion to the House Committee on rules and business to map out modalities.q

The Member representing Lere/Bula Constituency Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu moved a motion on the urgent need to address the unfortunate situation of internally displaced persons hanging in parts of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area as a result of terrorists attack in Mango Local Government of Plateau State and other neighbouring communities.

Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu said that there have been incidents of incessant terrorist attacks on the people of the Mangu Local Government of Plateau State, neighboring Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, many people are killed, some are seriously injured while others are displaced.

According to him the attacks forced people to flee their homes, abandoned their farmlands and means of livelihood in which they now settled in scattered IDPs camps in Boto, Lere, Katirje, Zwall, Murna and Zango of Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu said that he was worried by the untold hardship they are passing through without shelter and food for sustenance in which many are dying because of starvation. 

He therefore requested the House to observe prayers for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives during the ugly situation and to call on the Bauchi State Government to as a matter of urgency direct the State the State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the victims, while the Honourable House should mandate the House Committee on Special Duties to ensure compliance.

The Speaker directed the Honourable House to observe one minute prayer for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Hon. Nasiru Ahmed Ala representing Chinade/Madara Constituency commended the mover of the motion for his humanitarian effort on the matter that affects his community. 

He however observed that there should be intervention from both Bauchi and Plateau since they citizens of Plateau State, using Bauchi resources alone to them may not appropriate.

However the Speaker said that providing assistance to IDP from other states is not new thing to Bauchi State saying that it has been doing that to many displaced persons from other States. 

According to him, there is nothing wrong if Bauchi provides relief materials to these people and It’s allowed even in international law, whenever you have displaced persons in your area, you have the responsibility to take care of them.

Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada representing Bogoro Constituency said that Bogoro is also close neighbor to the affected areas and the situation happening there is unfortunate and worrisome. 

He also said that in such a situation, people will look where they will be comfortable before they go back to their places while others will stay permanently as he has seen that situation in Toro and other places and therefore supported the motion.

Hon. Garba Aminu representing Pali Constituency said that the matter was important and seconded the motion moved by Hon. Abdulrashid Adamu Muazu.

The House adopted the motion and adjourned to Tuesday 8th August, 2023, as moved and seconded by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.