WordPress

Author: Peter Amine

  • Why I moved for creation of additional state constituencies – lawmaker

    Why I moved for creation of additional state constituencies – lawmaker

    Constituencies

    By Peter Amine

    Jos, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Mr Nanbol Daniel (LP-Langtang North Central), Member, Plateau State House of Assembly, has explained why he moved the motion for creation of additional state constituencies in the assembly.

    Daniel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos, that the people of the state would have better representation if more constituencies were created out of the current 24.

    The lawmaker said that the creation would further help in meeting the current legislative demands of Plateau.

    He said the constituencies should be reviewed from 24 to 40 members, to reflect equity in the number of federal constituencies in Plateau.

    Daniel stated that since the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had not reviewed the number of constituencies in the state.

    According to him, it is a constitutional duty of INEC to do a periodic review of constituencies, noting that Plateau has been long overdue in view of its growing population.

    The lawmaker stated that Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provided that a State House of Assembly shall consist of three or four times the number of seats that it has in the House of Representatives.

    “It is provided that a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of not less than 24 and not more than 40 members.

    “Section 112 of the Nigerian Constitution also provides that the INEC shall divide every state of the federation into such number of state constituencies as is equal to three or four times the number of federal constituencies within that state.

    “More so, Section 114 provides that INEC shall review the division of every state into constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years.

    “And may alter such constituencies in accordance with the provisions of Section 114 to such extent as it may consider desirable in the light of the review,” he explained.

    Daniel therefore, urged the state’s lawmakers, National Assembly members, and Plateau Government, to start and sustain the processes for the upward review and creation of additional state constituencies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PAT/TOA/DOR
    ===========

    Edited by Taiye Agbaje/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • Plateau assembly confirms PLASIEC chairman, nominees

    Confirmation
    By Peter Amine
    Jos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Plateau State House of Assembly on Friday screened and confirmed nominations for chairman and members of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).
    Speaker Gabriel Dewan had read the governor’s communication to the house before the eventual screening and confirmation.
    The governor had, in the letter, said that the request was pursuant to the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
    The nominees screened and  confirmed included Mr Plangji Chishak, Chairman; Mrs Theresa Kaze, Member; Mrs. Deborah Akanle, Member; and Mr Ado Adare, Member.
    Others include Waziri Kwande, Member, Mr Audu Dorzhi, Member; Dr Langman Pensiwan, Member; and Pam Davou, Secretary.
    Dewan congratulated the appointees and urged them to work for the  good of the Plateau people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PAT/YGA
    ========
    Edited by Gabriel Yough

  • NGO endorses  Senate’s bill on open grazing ban

     NGO endorses  Senate’s bill on open grazing ban
    Support
    By Peter Amine
    Jos, June 7, 2024 (NAN), International Organization for Peace Building and Social Justice (PSJ Nigeria) has endorsed the Nigerian Senate’s bill on the ban on open grazing and the establishment of the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission.
    PSJ Programme Manager, Mr Sam Odeh, who briefed newsmen on Friday in Jos, said that the NGO had been following the recent conversations and events in the red chambers of the National Assembly.
    The programme manager stated that the legislative initiative aimed at regulating, managing, preserving, and controlling ranches throughout Nigeria was a welcome development.
    He pointed out that in a nation where cultural and religious diversity enriches our society, it is imperative that all communities coexist peacefully.
    Odeh said that the persistent farmer-herder crisis has not only led to significant losses of lives and property but also threatens the very fabric of the country’s unity.
    “PSJ wants to openly state that the Bill to Ban Open Grazing and the Establishment of the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission, sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC/Benue West), is in the right direction and should be accepted by all citizens.
    “The proposed bill offers a sustainable solution that aligns with PSJ Nigeria’s vision of a peaceful Nigeria where all communities thrive together.
    “Enhancing food safety and economic growth, the benefits of ranching extend beyond resolving conflicts.
    “Ranching ensures that cows are reared in controlled environments, produce healthier meat and milk for Nigerian consumers.
    “This shift from open grazing to ranching promises to enhance food safety standards across the nation.
    “Furthermore, the establishment of ranches is poised to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for Nigerians, fostering a robust and sustainable agricultural sector,” he said.
    According to him, the open grazing system has rendered 134,208 hectares of land in the central Nigeria region uncultivable, drastically reducing food crop production.
    He emphasised that the Senate’s move to put a ban on open grazing was a commendable step towards ensuring that agricultural lands were utilized effectively for food production.
    Odeh said that the move would not only mitigate food shortages but also stabilize the nation’s economy by bolstering agricultural output. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PAT/YGA
    ========
    Edited by Gabriel Yough

  • Plateau LGA builds special clinic for snakebite treatment

    Plateau LGA builds special clinic for snakebite treatment

    Snakebites

    By Peter Amine

    Jos, June 6, 2024 (NAN), Qua’an Pan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, has built a special clinic for the treatment of snakebites, which has become rampant in the area.

    Mr Christopher Manship, Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Quanpan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Jos, that the number of deaths from snakebite complications had reduced significantly since the clinic became operational.

    Manship said the snake anti-venom was also being administered to the patients at a subsidised rate to make the treatment affordable.

    The chairman stated that he prioritised the completion of the clinic, which was initiated in 2018 by his predecessor, Mr Isaac Kwalu, because of its importance.

    He pointed out that the people of the area were vulnerable to snakebites because of the location, weather, and their major occupation, which was farming.

    Manship emphasised that, apart from the few civil servants, 99.9 per cent of the people of Qua’an Pan were farmers and prone to snakebites.

    “When you go there, you will see so many patients and their relatives because we have subsidised the anti-snake venom from about N95, 000 to N40,000.

    “People come from various parts of the state and country, most especially from Taraba, Nasarawa, and Benue states.

    “They come because of the low cost, and before they are discharged, they are given three to four doses of the anti-venom.

    “Initially, when a snake bites you, you are sure of dying, as 98 per cent of those bitten by snakes before now had died.

    “The death rate has dropped considerably, and since I became the chairman, nobody has died in that clinic,” he said.

    According to him, all the staff of the clinic were specially trained outside the state to handle the cases.

    He further said that apart from snake treatment, his administration had also built many other clinics and renovated others, to cater for the health needs of the people of Qua’an Pan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PAT/DOR

    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • Strike: Organised labour barricades Plateau Government Secretariat, others

    Strike: Organised labour barricades Plateau Government Secretariat, others

    Barricade

    Jos, June 3, 2024 (NAN), The organised labour, under the auspices of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, barricaded the Plateau Government Secretariat, over the ongoing workers’ strike.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the organised labour declared the industrial action after months of failed negotiations with the Federal Government over a New Minimum Wage (NMW).

    Mr Sunday Akin, Plateau NLC Vice Chairman, who led the enforcement, said that there was a high level of compliance from Plateau workers.

    Akin told NAN that, apart from the state secretariat, the NLC/TUC monitoring teams were going around organisations to ensure compliance.

    “We will continue with the action until further directives from our headquarters.

    “As you are aware, the strike is an indefinite one, and workers will continue to stay at home till further notice,” he said.

    Dr Dalyop Badung, Plateau NLC, told NAN that there was effective compliance by workers, except at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jos Network Centre and NHIS office, where the monitoring team had to enforce compliance.

    Badung said that workers would continue to sit at home till the government agreed on a new minimum wage and withdrew the electricity hiked tariff.

    NAN reports that the Plateau councils of the NLC and TUC had on Sunday in a statement, urged all affiliate unions to fully mobilise their members for the industrial action.

    “Comrades, this is to remind you of the commencement of a nationwide strike commencing on Monday, June 3, 2024, as a result of the failure of the government to agree on a new national minimum wage with organised labour.

    “The strike is also for the government to withdraw the unilateral hike in the tariff of electricity in the country.

    “Consequent upon this, you are urged to immediately mobilise your members to commence the strike as directed, please,” the two unions said in the statement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PAT/DOR
    ========
    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore