Benue Assembly Passes Bill To Establish Public Complaint Commission

Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Benue Public Complaint Commission.

Its passage was done during plenary yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital.

In his contribution, the majority leader,  Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), who led the debate, said the title of the bill, which was too long, was shortened.

Dugeri said that the bill’s initial title was a bill to encourage public complaints, prescribe punishment for corrupt practices and related offences, and establish a Benue public complaints and anti-corruption commission.

He pointed out that after gathering input during the bill’s public hearing, the Committee on Rules and Business had decided to shorten the title to the Benue Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission for easier understanding.

Also speaking, the deputy majority chief whip, Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), said that the committee had inserted a clause that the commission shall have directorates headed by directors, such as the Directorate of Citizens Rights and the Directorate of Asset Monitoring and Recovery.

During the bill’s clause-by-clause consideration, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, disclosed that the chairman of the commission shall hold office for four years and may be reappointed for another four years only.

Similarly, the speaker said members of the commission shall hold office for a period of four years and may be reappointed for another four years only.

He further stated that the governor may remove the chairman and any member of the commission, subject to confirmation by a two-thirds majority of members of the state assembly.

He said that the commission may establish one or more branches, in each political zone of the state to carry out its function under the law.

He stated that the chairman and members of the commission shall not carry out their offices’ duties until they declare their assets and liabilities as prescribed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After the Clerk, Dr Bem Mela, completed the third reading, the speaker declared the bill passed.