The Taraba state House of Assembly has resumed plenary after a short recess to mark the end of the first year of the eight assembly.
Declaring the session open at plenary Monday, Speaker of the House, Abel Peter Diah, reviewed the performances of the House in the preceding year in the area of Bills and Resolutions which cover issues of security and welfare of the people.
‘Inspite of the challenges, the House, during the first Legislative year, considered six Bills, more than 89 resolutions were passed on various issues for the welfare and wellbeing of the people…Our recent interface with all the security chiefs in the state is yet another pointer to our numerous strategies to ensure peaceful coexistence and harmony among our various interest groups in Taraba state’,he stated.
The Speaker, in the statement, further reiterated the need to be ‘ our brother’s keeper’, saying though ‘ the constitution has clearly allowed for freedom of movement, however, where people with questionable character come to Taraba with the intent to settle at the expense of our much cherished peace and unity can not be tolerated’.
He however, commended both Federal and state governments for catering for the welfare of The Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP,s), but appealed that the ‘issue of resettling the IDPs should not be politicized’.
He listed the Bills which are at various stages in the legislative process to include: The Taraba state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency Bill 2016, The Taraba state Control of Chainsaw ( Amendment) Bill 2016, The Taraba state Fiscal Responsibility Commission Law ( Amendment) Bill 2016, The Taraba state Waste Management Agency Establishment Bill 2016, and the Taraba state Thuggery and Other Related Offences ( Amendment) Bill 2016.
He recognized the Governor, Arc Darius Ishaku for his ‘ tremendous support and cooperation’, adding that the harmonious relationship between the two arms must be sustained and maintained.
He urged members to brace up for the challenges ahead and not allow political and cultural differences to affect the discharge of their responsibilities.