Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has signed into law 10 bills recently passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.
Governor Alia received the bills for his assent on Tuesday at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.
He explained that the laws were meant to protect the general safety of the Benue people and ensure that their rights as citizens are not abused by others.
The new laws include: A Law to Make Provisions for Benue State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency and Other Matters Connected Therewith 2024; and A Law to Prohibit Harassment, Extortion of Money from Land Developers (Marching Ground), Violent and Fraudulent Conducts in Relation to Landed Properties and for Purposes Connected Therewith 2024, among others.
After assenting to the bills, Governor Alia advised the people of the state to set aside partisanship when it comes to law and order.
Governor Alia stated that what he signed into law had nothing to do with APC, PDP, APGA, Labour, or any other party.
He said he signed into law measures that would make the people understand that Benue is their home and that they should protect their home and pass on to future generations their genuineness, legitimacy, sincerity, and truth.
Governor Alia added that the already existing Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was not tampered with.
He also revealed his administration’s intention to guarantee lasting peace in Benue State and warned against intra- and inter-state crises.
Alia called on traditional rulers to do what they could to ensure that permanent peace returns to their respective communities.
Presenting the bills to the Governor, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, said the bills were a testament to the commitment of the 10th Benue Assembly to making laws that will impact positively on the people of the state.
Earlier, the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, explained that no part of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was repealed.
