Benue State Security Trust Fund Establishment Bill passes second reading at Assembly

A bill seeking the establishment of the Benue State Security Trust Fund and for other matters connected therewith has passed a second reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.

The bill was read for the second time during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Alfred Emberger.

Leading the debate on the second reading of the bill, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sir Thomas Dugeri, stated that the main aim of the bill is to create a pool of funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment, as well as such human and material resources as may be deemed necessary for the effective functioning of all federal, state, local government and other security agencies operating in the state.

He further stated that part of the fund shall be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel to enable them to contend with the current security needs of the state.

Members who contributed said the bill could not have come at a better time, as Benue people are currently faced with insecurity and existential threats from different angles.

They highlighted the need to invest reasonable resources in the security sector in order to be proactive and prepare for the future, and unanimously approved the bill to be read for the second time.

The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Aondoaver Alfred Emberga, referred the bill to the House Standing Committees on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative action.

Also during plenary, the House received a petition from one Okoh Regina Ada titled, “Petition Against Victimization, Unlawful Removal From Office, And Abuse Of Power By Officials Of The Local Government Service Commission And Others In Respect Of My Appointment As Treasurer, Obi Local Government Council”.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Zape Upaa, the petition was formally presented on the floor of the House by Rt Hon. Anthony Agom, representing Okpokwu State Constituency.

Benue State Security Trust Fund Establishment Bill passes second reading at Assembly