By Muhammad Nasir
Sokoto, Sept. 16, 2021
The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to a meeting over the dilapidated nature of some roads in the state capital.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Achida, said the summons was in connection with the petitions received from residents and motions presented by the lawmakers to that effect.
Represented by Alhaji Bello Ambarura, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader at the Assembly, the Speaker said the key issue that necessitated the meeting was the decision to deliberate on the condition of the roads, particularly the roundabouts.
“We decided to call the MDAs concerned rather than announcing or deliberating on the motions in the Assembly sitting, in order to have a full knowledge of the situation at hand.
“However, from our discussion we are convinced that the state government is aware of the situation and has since identified possible measures toward addressing it as soon as possible.
“Therefore, we will continue to follow up the situation and ensure the measures put in place are fully executed in order to ease the suffering of motorists,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the MDAs, Alhaji Aminu Bala, the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, said that the state government was already addressing the situation.
He said that the meeting with the lawmakers was a call on the executive for action but assured the legislators that the situation has since been taken care of.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other issues discussed at the meeting were refuse evacuation from some parts of Sokoto metropolis and youth restiveness, drug abuse and other related challenges.
The meeting was also attended by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Heads of departments of various relevant agencies in the state.
Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the amendments of the state Geographic Information System Agency Law, 2016.
This development followed the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development at plenary.
Presenting the report, Alhaji Mode Sanyinna (PDP-Tambuwal East), the Committee Chairman, said the committee consulted widely among stakeholders before arriving at its decision.
“The bill was given its first and second readings on Sept. 9 and referred to the committee for further legislative action.
“Considering the importance and urgent need of the bill, the committee swung into action and met with all the necessary stakeholders for their inputs.
“This is to complement the objectives attached to the amendment of the bill to provide for the creation and tenure of office of the Executive Chairman,” he said.
Sanyinna said that the committee, after necessary scrutiny, came up with certain recommendations to ensure the smooth running of the agency.
The Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Achida, put the amendment motion moved by Alhaji Bello Ambarura, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader of the Assembly, to a voice vote and it was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.
