Speaker of the Bauchi State Assembly Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman (Dangaladiman Ningi) has disclosed that the 9th Assembly of Bauchi State under his leadership, has passed 9 bills and 36 motions since its inauguration one year ago.
The Speaker made the disclosure when he featured in a live phone-in programme of Bauchi Radio Corporation BRC Bauchi to commemorate one year in office.
He explained that 8 of the bills passed are executive bills while one is private member bill which he personally sponsored on violence against persons prohibition to end the growing cases of rape and other forms of violence.
According to him the House has also in one year moved 14 matters of urgent public importance, received 16 executive messages from His Excellency Governor Bala Mohammad, received 15 petitions and 15 Committees reports.
“Despite the hitches we faced at inception and the recent effects of covid-19 which affects our work, we were able to overcome the challenges and we have done creditably well in term of legislation, representation and oversight functions.
“The 9th Assembly has shown so much commitment in making sure people of Bauchi State are deriving a lot of dividends of democracy by burying all our differences and working together for the overall interest of the people of Bauchi State.
” Whenever we go to the Chamber, we put our parties aside and put Bauchi State at the centre. Our political party is Bauchi State we worked for the best interest of Bauchi State. He said
Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman commended Governor Bala Mohammad for his cooperation and synergism with the legislative arm which he said has helped a lot in bringing lasting peace in the Assembly.
According to the Speaker, Governor Bala Mohammad is carrying members of the State Assembly in all decisions and policy formulation of the government which he said is strengthening their relationship and accelerating development in the State.
On the pandemic corona virus ravaging the world, Rt. Hon. Suleiman explained that Bauchi State Assembly actively participated and contributed in all efforts to curb the spread of the disease and cushion its effects in the State.
He added that the lawmakers have donated the sum of ten million naira to the Bauchi State Taskforce Committee on Covid-19 in order to consolidate the fight against the dreaded disease and engaged in mobilization and sensitization of their constituents on the disease.
The Speaker therefore urged people of Bauchi State to respect all the regulations, protocols and guidelines set by the government and medical professionals to fight the disease.
On the effects of corona virus pandemic on the economic of the State, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman said due to such effects the State Assembly is currently helping the State Government in coming up with measures to improve internally generated revenue and reduce over dependence on the monthly federal allocations.
“We have recently passed a bill to harmonise, consolidate and all revenues collectible by ministries, departments, agencies and local governments and related purposes thereon. This law will help in blocking financial leakages and improve the revenue generation and administration in the state.
” The State Executive Council has approved the revised 2020 budget and sen it to us. We will work on it immediately so as the Budget will reflect the present reality.” He said.
On the financial autonomy to States Assembly and judiciary recently granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Speaker said lawmakers of Bauchi State received the news with excitement because the autonomy will enhance their work and strengthen democracy.
On the allegations that State Governors are against the autonomy, he explained that there is no such problem in Bauchi State because Governor Bala Mohammad being a former lawmaker is solidly behind the financial autonomy of the two arms.
Speaking on his stride in his Ningi Central Constituency, the Speaker expressed that he has achieved a lot in delivering dividends of democracy to his constituents ranging from provision of clean water, youth and women empowerment, welfare, healthcare delivery, infrastructural development, education to religious activities.
A caller Abdurrahman Amfel from Shekal lauded the 9th Assembly of Bauchi State for their people oriented representation. He described the Assembly as one of the best in the history if Bauchi State.
The caller called on the Speaker to help in resuscitating Bauchi Radio Corporation which is at the verge of collapse.
Responding, the Speaker revealed that Governor Bala Mohammad has gone far in his plan to restoring the glory of the station and all other media organizations in the State to suit the modern time.
Another caller Abdullahi Wutin Dada lauded the Speaker for the prompt information dissemination on the activities of the Assembly which he said they never witness since 1999.
According to him as soon as the Assembly conduct any function, they get informed immediately on both the social and mainstream media which according to him is commendable.
In a release signed by Abdul Ahmad Burra spokesperson to Speaker Abubakar Suleiman assured people of Bauchi State to expect more people oriented legislations, resolutions and representations as well as purposeful leadership in the remaining three years of the 9th Assembly.