Kebbi State Assembly passes bills amending local government law

The Kebbi State House of Assembly has passed two significant bills aimed at amending the Local Government Law of 2024 and establishing the Local Government Service Commission.

The bills were approved during the assembly’s plenary on Thursday, following the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The committee chairman, Alhaji Salihu Dangoje (APC, Sakaba), presented the report, pointing out that the executive bill had undergone its first and second readings on August 20 before being referred to the committee for further examination.

Recognising the bill’s importance to the people of Kebbi State, the committee conducted a public hearing on August 21, inviting relevant stakeholders to provide their input.

In his report, Dangoje recommended several amendments to the bill, including changes in specific sections.

For instance, the word “Twelve” was replaced with “Ten,” and “Satisfy” was changed to “Satisfied” in Sections 15 (2) and 19 (4), respectively.

Additionally, the phrase “District Heads, Village Head and other traditional title heads” was amended to include “Emir, Chief, District Heads, Village Heads, and other traditional title heads” in Section 122 (2) (I).

Following the report’s presentation, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad (APC, Ngaski) moved for the bill’s third reading, with Alhaji Faruk Aliyu-Nasarawa (APC, Jega) seconding the motion.

The Speaker, Muhammad Usman (APC, Zuru), presided over the session, and the lawmakers unanimously adopted the bill’s amendments through a voice vote.

In a related development, the assembly also passed a bill establishing the Kebbi State Local Government Service Commission.

This new law will repeal and re-enact the Kebbi State Local Government Service Board Cap 87 of 1996 and address other related matters.

The bill, which comprises 16 sections, was thoroughly reviewed by the House Committee on General Administration and Security, chaired by Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar-Lolo (APC, Bagudo West).

After receiving contributions from stakeholders, the committee recommended the bill’s passage.

The executive bill was subsequently put to a vote and unanimously adopted by the assembly.