PIA, Electoral Act groundbreaking laws, says Gbajabiamila

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has described the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as well as the Electoral Amendment Act 2022 as groundbreaking legislation.

Speaking after he was conferred the legislative personality of the decade award at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja at the weekend, he assured that the green legislative chamber will leave no stone unturned to make laws for the good governance of the country.

Represented by Aliyu Ibrahim, a member representing Wurno/Rabbah federal constituency of Sokoto state, the speaker dedicated the award to the 9th House of Representatives over the milestones recorded as far as the passage of Bills was concerned.

He said: “On behalf of my leader, we say thank you very much, the organisers of this great event for honouring not only him, the right honourable speaker but indeed the House of Representatives.

“We hold this award in high esteem and it will further encourage us to do more. Under our able leadership, there are a lot of legislative landmarks as you know, ranging from the Electoral Act to the passage of the great Petroleum Industry Act.

Benjamin Kalu, spokesperson of the House reiterated the commitment of the House to providing legislative interventions for the progress, unity and prosperity of the country.

Governor Dani Bello of Niger state who also bagged the Democracy Man of the Year Award called for the grant of autonomy to local councils in the country.

He argued that effective administration at the local councils which are closer to Nigerians at the grassroots would relieve the state governments of undue pressure on their lean resources.

“I want to advise anyone who will find himself in the position of a governor to please allow democratic principles to guide us on how we run the affairs of government. I thank the organisers for this,’’ he said.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who got the Best Minister of the Year award said
democracy thrives on the rule of law and any democratic government that does not recognize, appreciate and ensure the rule of law, is a failed democracy.