By Amos Aar
AS OF June 11, 2024, the Benue State House of Assembly had passed 18 out of 27 proposed bills into law during its first legislative session. Among these was the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (Establishment) Bill, 2024, aimed at addressing the persistent insecurity plaguing the state. This legislative measure sought to end the displacement of communities, restore farmers to their lands, and bolster food production while improving the socio-economic conditions of residents.
However, like the Anti-Open Grazing Law, 2017, the Civil Protection Guards Law is not fully enforced, leaving citizens vulnerable to unchecked open grazing and violent attacks by herders. Communities in local government areas such as Okpokwu, Logo, Guma, Kwande, and Gwer West continue to suffer, with farmers reporting destruction of crops and livelihoods.
For instance, residents of Ogene Amejo in Okpokwu LGA lament daily over the devastation of their farmlands without government intervention despite the legal framework in place.
Frustrated by the executive’s silence, the Benue State House of Assembly has summoned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, to provide clarity on the status of bills passed by the legislature. The Attorney General is scheduled to appear before the House on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
The decision was made during a plenary session held on November 25, 2024, presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.
Moving the motion, Hon. Douglas Akya of Makurdi South State constituency highlighted the unprecedented efforts of the 10th Assembly in passing critical legislation, only for these to be met with executive inaction.
Citing constitutional provisions, Hon. Akya stressed that the governor is required to either assent to or reject bills within 30 days, providing reasons for any veto. Other members of the Assembly expressed frustration over the damages caused by non-implementation, urging the executive to act swiftly and responsibly.
This growing impasse depicts how legislative efforts without executive action fail to translate into meaningful change for the people of Benue State.
